This Swivel Seat is an ABSOLUTE GAME CHANGER for Van Life!
In episode 3 of Van Build Series 2.0, we install the Swivel Seats on both the driver and passenger seats of our van. These are from Alpine Mechanisms, and they are American Made, only 0.5" high (the lowest on the market), and super easy to spin!
After two years of living in the van and taking the van all over North America, we realized how important it is to reduce the seat height as much as possible for proper ergonomics (especially for those who aren't as tall). This is one of the main reasons we chose to go with Alpine Mechanisms.
Alpine Mechanisms Swivel Seat: alpinemechanisms.com/products...
Items Used In This Episode:
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Items Used In The Build Series:
* Rust-Oleum Truck Bed Liner: amzn.to/3C4KuuG
* Plasti Dip Black Rim Paint: amzn.to/3CrEQEo
* Painters Plastic: amzn.to/3fA3n15
* Trim Tool Kit: amzn.to/3yxBldm
* RCA Video Cable: amzn.to/3VvPL7I
00:00 - Why Height Matters With Swivel Seats - Alpine Mechanism
01:44 - Tools Used and DON'T Forget to Disconnect Battery
02:33 - Our Neighbor Glenn
05:25 - Disconnecting Battery and Removing Wires
06:30 - Removing Locating Pins
09:15 - Installing Swivel (Tightening Down Passenger Side)
14:25 - Driver Side & Parking Brake
15:30 - Short Form Content Shoutout
16:00 - Modifying Parking Brake
21:22 - Something Delicious
23:33 - Finishing Up
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🛠 Van Build Series 1.0 with 45+ episodes: • Van Build Series
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Пікірлер: 68
That Swivel seat is the best idea to using the seat very comfortable!
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
We’re stoked to have it on the driver side too Ryan!
@ryanrowe1975
Жыл бұрын
@@MathersOnTheMap You're Welcome!
Love Supervisor Glenn!!
Glenn in the best! You need more of that “star of KZread”.
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Haha he’s been making an “appearance” since we lived here. There will be more don’t you worry!
You can cut a opening in the seat base. Here in Europe you can get sprinter whit storage under. The corners are structural. But you can see the bump. Some sprinter have one extra battery in that room.
I want to see Glens’ KZread channel! He’s great content and definitely deserves that 50k. Talking of numbers, great to see you guys punch through 30k. Keep on truckin!
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
thanks Chris!!!
I am watching this while camping in my van. And every time your van makes a noise, I freak out and think it is mine 😂
Best Wishes on the van build! 👍 Catch you on the slopes ⛷or perhaps south of the border🌵☀ one day down the road! 😎
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Lee!!! How was the rest of your baja trip?
You Tube all star reppin Charleston with the Huk gear!!
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
haha he's a hoot and always rocks the latest/greatest gear
Mandatory upgrade and fun to watch ya work together. We put a piece of plywood under the rubber floor to lift it up and further decrease the distance.
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
That's a smart idea Mike! Maybe we'll think about doing something like that!
Great work on the swivels mate, they look sweet. I think having your neighbour appear on your videos is cool, he adds a bit of light humour. I too have a neighbour just like him and loves to give me his opinion on how he would do the job better. You can add storage under that passenger seat, I have seen it done. All you need to do is reinforce the 4 load bearing corners with 2 inch steal. I have seen where this area is been modified under the seat to store shoes. Once again good video.
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Dirk! Haha we all have that one neighbor, but we love them. I’ll have to dig into the storage option. We do have the access hatch on the side wall but would be nice to make it bigger
Love to see how you are transforming a simple van into a camper van!
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Andrés!
That avo smash looked soo delicious! 🤤We had swivels in Monte the RV but we never used them because there was only 2 of us in that massive RV anyway so we had plenty of lounge space already. Lol your neighbour is a character. The build is coming along nicely!
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Thanks guys! that makes sense, in the van ya need all the space you can get!
Great job! 🎉
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Steven!
Hey Kevin... Baja is not simply a vacation, but a lifestyle! 😎 The weather on the back end was equal to the first.. 88 degrees with brilliant sunshine.☀ We traveled and explored along the the west cape this time... We did a couple of morning hikes along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean (Punta Lobos or the Sugar Plant Trail is awesome)! The landscaper was very lush and green compliments of the recent hurricane. Food was fabulous as always... Lumbre (fire) was our favorite restaurant in San Jose del Cabo. Corona (6 packs for $5 usd) and Tequila Sunrises were the drinks of choice! Lots of dancing and singing... what happens when you are engaged to a dance and fitness instructor! 😂 I bought a round of tequila shots at my local roadhouse bar... then made a toast... "Cabo a place where anything goes and the only rule is that there are no rules"! 😱 We got a free night and meal in Phoenix, AZ compliments of American Airlines on the return trip ... they moved up our connecting flight to Philly... giving us only one hour and five minutes to clear customs, immigration, etc... it was MISSION IMPOSSIBLE! 😂 FYI... American Airlines ✈has a promo of 50,000 frequent flyer miles if you open a Citibank MasterCard and spend $2,500 in the first 90 days... jumped all over that! The "night" scuba dive was definitely the highlight of this trip! Now it's back to work 🤔 and train 😅 for the upcoming ski season!
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
sounds amazing! Love the toast! Sorry to hear about the flight trouble, happens to the best of us. That's a good offer, but we already too many citi AA cards at the moment, have to wait another 8 months or so until we're eligible for another sign up offer haha
Who was that neighbor, I think he’s a U-Tube Superstar 🤩
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Hahaha wait a minute… Glenn’s got a KZread account ?!
Nice work
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Bill!
instead of contemplating cutting the seatbase open from the back, just access it from the side, through the flap it already has. Sure, it won't be as convenient and you can only access it while the door is open, however, I'm sure you can find a lot of things to store that are only needed while stationary. like tools and spare parts. Also, you confused me when you called the parking brake 'ebrake'. the Sprinter, as an option, comes with an Electric Parking Brake which most people refer to as an e-brake.
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Yep, I realized that after a few comments haha so much easier!!! yea we use ebrake and parking brake as the same but it's really a parking brake. In an emergency that e-brake isn't strong enough to slow down the van.
Good job! I always enjoy your videos! Same swivels I have but I still haven’t done the install because the E brake kind of intimidates me- but soon! Also DIYvan has an access panel for the seat base. That might be a good compromise??
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Oh you can totally do the eBrake ya just pull it down from the bottom, it’s easy. Do you have a link to access panel?
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
@@2sherrymoore @Sherry Moore oh thank you! Our van actually has that, it's just not vented
Our leisure batteries go under the front seats :)
Glenn 😂
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
He’s a legend
$600 per seat? Hard pass.
Planning to order a couple, which one should I get as far as “e-brake, none-brake, etc”… I emailed the owner but his explanation on what each does or which to get didn’t make much sense to me lol
@MathersOnTheMap
7 ай бұрын
If my memory serves me right, get the e-brake if you have a manual e brake that you pull to engage (to the right of the seat pedestal if you’re sitting forward)
@rachel7550
6 ай бұрын
@@MathersOnTheMap okay awesome thank you!! I’m guessing the passenger side swivel doesn’t need a break?
"Made in the USA", great idea.
Maybe try to go to Mercedes mechanic and ask him/her about that, i think they can tell you, its a good idea for storage 😄😁
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Not a bad idea!
@michaelscarfi3196
Жыл бұрын
I’m pretty sure humble road did it but in a promaster
Nice. You are going to enjoy those!! One recommendation for your new can... BeandMotion rear view camera. It’s one of our favorite things. We still have the factory back up camera. But this is like a rear view mirror. You can see everything behind you as you drive. Worth every penny!!
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Krista! This new setup lets you watch the rearview camera while you drive as well! which is especially handy if you're caravaning or got bikes on the back!
Did Kevin dye his hair or is it just the lighting, lol?
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Both 😬🙃
@sarahr9181
Жыл бұрын
You both always look great!! My husband is full silver and I love it!!
At $500 a pop... ill take the extra inch in height.
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
To each their own 👌🏻
@elizabethhouck5865
Жыл бұрын
@@MathersOnTheMap…. It’s like investing in a good mattress or a good pair of shoes! I think it’s worth it for the amount of miles you guys put in! ❤
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
@@elizabethhouck5865 wow that’s a great analogy Elizabeth! I wish I thought of that for the vlog! Higher quality swivels hover around the $300 range so for an extra $200 it’s worth it, definitely for Taylor!!!
@dannyross
Жыл бұрын
I’ve had these swivels for a year and they are awesome. The cheaper ones are flimsy and a terrible experience.
@NetAgent
Жыл бұрын
It's $600 per seat according the website.
Starts at 5 minutes in. You're welcome
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
What’s the rush?! just sit back relax and enjoy my friend
@mysticmeadowshomestead6209
Жыл бұрын
@@MathersOnTheMap I shared the link with someone who needed to make a decision. 😄 I'm fine with the pace of it.
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
@@mysticmeadowshomestead6209 haha fair enough thank you for sharing!
None for Promaster?!😢
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Not at the moment, but maybe in the future 🤞🏻
$600 😂
£599 ffs thats mad im a blacksmith thats max $40 of steel and nuts and bolts , what a complete rip off let me see one for one day and i can knock them out for $100
@MathersOnTheMap
2 ай бұрын
I think you found your next business idea!
FYI, I had to look for your channel because KZread had un-scribed me from your channel. They may have done this to other subscribers. Seats look nice. The first modification to my van was to raise the Seats 3 inches. Now if only I could slide it back a couple more inches. 👍
@MathersOnTheMap
Жыл бұрын
Geesh that’s not good! We’ll I’m glad you came back Jackie! You raised it? Was the seat really low?