Author Topic: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?  (Read 2851 times)

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Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« on: May 09, 2021, 09:55:43 AM »
I have a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The 2nd row is a 2-person bench.
Anyone have experience or knowledge about adding a seat there?
(By swapping for a 3-person bench or installing an additional seat)
Thanks!

Offline mod

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2021, 09:57:22 AM »
I have a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The 2nd row is a 2-person bench.
Anyone have experience or knowledge about adding a seat there?
(By swapping for a 3-person bench or installing an additional seat)
Thanks!
I've heard of places adding a seat in the front row between driver and passenger.

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2021, 10:32:02 AM »
Not sure you can do it with a bench but who knows. The ones I've seen have always added a tiny 3rd seat between 2 captain seats in the 2nd row.

A quick google search seems to indicate that one of the experts in doing this stuff is CSO Radio in Lakewood, and their website does list minivan seat additions as a service. Maybe give them a call...

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2021, 10:45:05 AM »
I've heard of places adding a seat in the front row between driver and passenger.
Which places?

Not sure you can do it with a bench but who knows. The ones I've seen have always added a tiny 3rd seat between 2 captain seats in the 2nd row.

A quick google search seems to indicate that one of the experts in doing this stuff is CSO Radio in Lakewood, and their website does list minivan seat additions as a service. Maybe give them a call...
I saw that. I am planning on calling them. Although on their website, they only mention adding a 3rd seat between 2 captain seats as you said.

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2021, 11:10:49 AM »
I saw that. I am planning on calling them. Although on their website, they only mention adding a 3rd seat between 2 captain seats as you said.
Likely because people adding that seat already have an 8th seat. I know someone who had a Grand Caravan and installed a 3 person bench (same like in the back) for the middle. It was a little hard to get through to the back but kids were able to squeeze in.
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2021, 11:14:46 AM »
Not sure you can do it with a bench but who knows. The ones I've seen have always added a tiny 3rd seat between 2 captain seats in the 2nd row.

A quick google search seems to indicate that one of the experts in doing this stuff is CSO Radio in Lakewood, and their website does list minivan seat additions as a service. Maybe give them a call...

Do you know roughly what it costs?

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2021, 11:21:54 AM »
Do you know roughly what it costs?
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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2021, 12:13:55 PM »
Likely because people adding that seat already have an 8th seat. I know someone who had a Grand Caravan and installed a 3 person bench (same like in the back) for the middle. It was a little hard to get through to the back but kids were able to squeeze in.
Do you know if it was a bench he found at a junkyard or had it custom made/installed?

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #8 on: May 09, 2021, 12:41:16 PM »
Which places?
I saw that. I am planning on calling them. Although on their website, they only mention adding a 3rd seat between 2 captain seats as you said.
My friend didn't remember (his wife took care of it). He said they also put in an extra seatbelt in in the last row so you could get 4 kids belted.

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #9 on: May 09, 2021, 02:14:47 PM »
Do you know if it was a bench he found at a junkyard or had it custom made/installed?
It was a while ago, I think it came from another (probably junked) minivan. From what I remember they said it was easy to install.
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #10 on: May 09, 2021, 03:54:32 PM »

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #11 on: May 09, 2021, 04:12:44 PM »
Not sure you can do it with a bench but who knows. The ones I've seen have always added a tiny 3rd seat between 2 captain seats in the 2nd row.

A quick google search seems to indicate that one of the experts in doing this stuff is CSO Radio in Lakewood, and their website does list minivan seat additions as a service. Maybe give them a call...
$1400 seems high
They list the jump seat+parts on Amazon for $689.
Typically, it's between 2 captain seats, but they do mention it can be installed alongside a 2-person bench.

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #12 on: May 09, 2021, 08:40:52 PM »
Not sure you can do it with a bench but who knows. The ones I've seen have always added a tiny 3rd seat between 2 captain seats in the 2nd row.

A quick google search seems to indicate that one of the experts in doing this stuff is CSO Radio in Lakewood, and their website does list minivan seat additions as a service. Maybe give them a call...
Yes, I know someone that used him. Its very expensive but if the alternative is buying a new car...
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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #13 on: May 09, 2021, 11:25:53 PM »
Any safety concerns when switching out these seats?
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Offline grodnoking

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #14 on: May 09, 2021, 11:41:39 PM »
Any safety concerns when switching out these seats?
No worse than making a left turn in Lakewood.
I'm not who you think I am.

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #15 on: May 09, 2021, 11:42:30 PM »
No worse than making a left turn in Lakewood.
That's a very low bar to set.

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #16 on: May 10, 2021, 05:01:41 PM »
No worse than making any turn in Lakewood.
FIFY.
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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #17 on: May 10, 2021, 07:06:09 PM »
Any safety concerns when switching out these seats?
if done right, then it should be fine.
Retrofitting vans is very common, especially when converting full size vans into camper vans. They often switch out the front seats and add swivel seats for dual utilization.

Offline justaregularguy

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Re: Can you change a 7-seater minivan to an 8-seater?
« Reply #18 on: May 10, 2021, 07:36:12 PM »
I have a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The 2nd row is a 2-person bench.
Anyone have experience or knowledge about adding a seat there?
(By swapping for a 3-person bench or installing an additional seat)
Thanks!
you cud probably have it identify as an 8 seater if that’s helpful…🤷‍♂️
nothings impossible- the word itself says Im possible