Technical Seatswap: replacing the original Fiat Ducato ISRI seats with fitting donor-seats from other cars/vans. Can it be done?

[LaRose]

Hi guys,

New to the forum, introduced myself a while ago here.

My Ducato '09 is factory fitted with ISRI seats, a driver and a single passenger seat (no bench). I am trying to find info on successful seatswaps but to no avail. A few people mentioned in posts on other fora a few years ago that the front seats from Audi A8 E4 might be an almost perfect fit, but no succes stories to back that up.

Anyone here knows of a successful swap?

Cheers,

LaRose

 

[Philblack]

Hi, not sure there are any direct fit unless you want to pay for conversion specialist seats. If it's a camper conversion you will probably also want swivel bases, some are quite deep and raise the seat height significantly. For our conversion we asked for seat depth measurements from sellers on eBay and ended up with very comfy seats from a people carrier, with double armrests and able to fold flat with a table/tray on the back. Unfortunately it was 5 years ago so can't remember what they came from. We had to have adapter plates made to fit but they ended up same height as factory seat. You also need to be creative with seat belt compatibility and mounting points. We had to do without the original pre tensioner, but you can't just unplug without a fault light displaying!

 

[LaRose]

Hi, not sure there are any direct fit unless you want to pay for conversion specialist seats. If it's a camper conversion you will probably also want swivel bases, some are quite deep and raise the seat height significantly. For our conversion we asked for seat depth measurements from sellers on eBay and ended up with very comfy seats from a people carrier, with double armrests and able to fold flat with a table/tray on the back. Unfortunately it was 5 years ago so can't remember what they came from. We had to have adapter plates made to fit but they ended up same height as factory seat. You also need to be creative with seat belt compatibility and mounting points. We had to do without the original pre tensioner, but you can't just unplug without a fault light displaying!

Could it have been be chairs from one of Renault's MPV models? I have heard people talk about fitting those seats and they apparently are able to fold flat.

 

[Philblack]

Pretty sure not from a Renault, I have a feeling they came from a Kia MPV. But not straight bolt on, needed adapter plates made up.

 

[camionpilot]

If you have DEEP pockets Recaro will find you something in there range ..!!!!!!!!!

 

[Reg 65]

If you disconnect the seat belt pre tensioner it will probably illuminate the airbag warning light. (MOT fail?)
But you can fool the ECU into thinking the seat belt pre tensioner is still connected by connecting a 2.2ohm resistor or side lamp bulb in its place.

 

[LaRose]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind! Hope this thread helps out some other Ducheads along the way

 

[the green vanper]

A working seat belt pretentioner is a must with an airbag, unless you want to hit the airbag while it still is inflating... Risky... And I think also not legal

I know there are very comfortable (comparing to the original seats) original FIAT camper seats available on the market. They fit perfectly and work perfectly with the van security systems They are out of my budget though

There are also pneumatic bases available for the original seats

 

[camionpilot]

Jennings ,in the UK can help you with seats to suit your pocket ..