Strap to lower bench seat to a bed

[Kindog]

We have a 2004 T5 California. The strap to recline the back seat (if there ever was one) appears to be missing. We haven't had the vehicle very long, and when checking it out I stupidly removed a bit of coloured tape that was knotted between the U shape seat belt locators. This seems to be where the original strap to lower the seat used to be and how the previous owners lowered the seat. There is a lever behind the seat, but we have just fitted some super-duper seat covers from Everything VW California that we really REALLY don't want to take off again as they are very snug. So, before my husband divorces me, can anyone tell me how to re-attach some webbing to make a new strap, please? I can't for the life of me see where the strap should attach.

 

[sidepod]

Photos maybe?

 

[Kindog]

Photos maybe?

Here are photos. Not sure they will help. The first shows our lovely new seat covers. 2nd pic shows back of the seat, which of course covers the handle for lowering the seat to make the bed. The other two pics show where I found the piece of tape thinking it looked untidy (yes, I have been told I have OCD) so I took it off before I even thought what it could be there for. We are now thinking the tape was to help pull the bed forward and not to lower it. Maybe we are only supposed to use the lever on the back of the seat, which is now covered by the new seat covers, which means I will have to get my sewing kit out and make an adjustment somehow.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Have a feel / rummage down between the seat belt parts where the “tape” was - maybe what you need, the original
Strap, is still down in there somewhere. As you can see, I tied something bright to ours

 

[Kindog]

Have a feel / rummage down between the seat belt parts where the “tape” was - maybe what you need, the original
Strap, is still down in there somewhere. As you can see, I tied something bright to ours

View attachment 146583

 

[Kindog]

We have taken out the drawer and the tool box and lifted up the seat as far as possible and had a good look/rummage. There is nothing there, and there appears to be no hooks/loops to attach any strap. As I said, coming to the conclusion we are supposed to just use the lever at the back.

 

[andyinluton]

We have taken out the drawer and the tool box and lifted up the seat as far as possible and had a good look/rummage. There is nothing there, and there appears to be no hooks/loops to attach any strap. As I said, coming to the conclusion we are supposed to just use the lever at the back.

I'm confused, I wasn't aware there was lever on the back of the seat. Ive had 3 Californias & never had a lever!

 

[TripleBee]

Can you lift the back of the seat up to have a better look?

Here the seat base is completely removed, but if you lift the base up on the seat belt side, you might find yourself in a better spot to see and feel for the missing part. It is the black fabric strip in the middle between the two seat belt retainers.

 

[WelshGas]

Here are photos. Not sure they will help. The first shows our lovely new seat covers. 2nd pic shows back of the seat, which of course covers the handle for lowering the seat to make the bed. The other two pics show where I found the piece of tape thinking it looked untidy (yes, I have been told I have OCD) so I took it off before I even thought what it could be there for. We are now thinking the tape was to help pull the bed forward and not to lower it. Maybe we are only supposed to use the lever on the back of the seat, which is now covered by the new seat covers, which means I will have to get my sewing kit out and make an adjustment somehow.

View attachment 146579

View attachment 146580

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View attachment 146582

Can’t find it now but I’m sure early T5 Californias had a handle on the rear of the backrest to lower the backrest into the bed position. This was replaced by a strap to pull up between the seat bulk buckles .
So, I’m afraid you’ll have to remove the seat cover and get out the needle and thread.

 

[Kindog]

Can you lift the back of the seat up to have a better look?
View attachment 146585
Here the seat base is completely removed, but if you lift the base up on the seat belt side, you might find yourself in a better spot to see and feel for the missing part. It is the black fabric strip in the middle between the two seat belt retainers.

The seat belt connectors look the same as ours, but what is your strap connected to? I can’t find anything on ours, ie a bar, which will take a strap.

 

[Kindog]

Can’t find it now but I’m sure early T5 Californias had a handle on the rear of the backrest to lower the backrest into the bed position. This was replaced by a strap to pull up between the seat bulk buckles .
So, I’m afraid you’ll have to remove the seat cover and get out the needle and thread.

Getting out my thimble now….

 

[Kindog]

No, can’t find anything, even with the drawer and tool box out and the seat lifted. Maybe as it’s a 2004 model, they changed from the lever on the back between the headrests.

 

[TripleBee]

Part 14 seems to be attached in the backrest at the top.

 

[Kindog]

Thanks, that’s really helpful. Will have another look today.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks, that’s really helpful. Will have another look today.

The later California seats do not have a lever on the backrest as you have. Have you tried using the lever to lower the backrest?
Until you do you may spend hours looking for something that isn't there.

 

[Kindog]

The later California seats do not have a lever on the backrest as you have. Have you tried using the lever to lower the backrest?
Until you do you may spend hours looking for something that isn't there.

Actually, that’s my point! We have a 2004 Cali. These older models appear ONLY to have the lever and not the strap. We DO have a lever, but I’ve stupidly covered it with the new, very snug seat covers. There was a bit of tape tucked between the seat belt holders in the u shaped middle of the seat, but I think that was just to help drag the seat forward, not to release the back of the bed. Without taking off the new cover, I can’t get to the lever. So, I’m going to have to “modify” the seat cover I think. Good job I’m quite nifty with a needle and thread! Thanks everyone for your input. Much appreciated. You’re all such a helpful and knowledgeable group.

 

[WelshGas]

Actually, that’s my point! We have a 2004 Cali. These older models appear ONLY to have the lever and not the strap. We DO have a lever, but I’ve stupidly covered it with the new, very snug seat covers. There was a bit of tape tucked between the seat belt holders in the u shaped middle of the seat, but I think that was just to help drag the seat forward, not to release the back of the bed. Without taking off the new cover, I can’t get to the lever. So, I’m going to have to “modify” the seat cover I think. Good job I’m quite nifty with a needle and thread! Thanks everyone for your input. Much appreciated. You’re all such a helpful and knowledgeable group.

You already have 2 cutouts on the rear of the backrest . If you can outline the position of the handle through the cover with some chalk etc: then slide some cardboard behind the cover to protect the original seat and then either cut out a rectangle of material or make flap.
Let us know how you get on.

 

[Kindog]

You already have 2 cutouts on the rear of the backrest . If you can outline the position of the handle through the cover with some chalk etc: then slide some cardboard behind the cover to protect the original seat and then either cut out a rectangle of material or make flap.
Let us know how you get on.

That was my next option and I think I will try this. Thank you!

 

[Kindog]

I think we’ve solved the problem.

 

[colintfcolintf]

That’s looks a very neat solution

 

[WelshGas]

I think we’ve solved the problem.

View attachment 146750

Well done. A professional job.

I presume you can now fold the backrest down?

 

[Kindog]

Thanks. Yes, all okay now and ready to camp. Appreciate all the help.