2019 bulkhead removal

[NickTara]

Hi there, this is my first post on here....?
My partner and I have just purchased a 2019 Berlingo van, with its main purpose being a MTB day van/camper type thing .. Loving it so far, that was until we realised that you couldn't remove the bulkhead without loosing the middle 3rd seat seatbelt mount which is crudely welded to the top half of the bulkhead, which means we can't remove it ...??
We can't even just remove the top half ..?
Anyone else come across this on these new model MK3's and managed a workaround..?
Is it possible to fit a ladder style one that fits behind the drivers seat..? That would be better than nothing...
Thanks in advance..
Nick

[Beta rider]

Hi there

I was astonished the same as you to find the integrated bulkhead / seatbelt mount. I was hoping to remove mine so that I could utilize the front passenger seats as part of a bed idea I was considering similar to how romahome use the Nemo front seats in their R1 conversion.

I spoke to Citroen UK about removing a large part of the near side bottom bulkhead and whether it would effect the structural safety of the seatbelt mount but they couldn't give me an answer. They said to contact my Citroen dealer but they were useless.

I've just sold my Peugeot boxer racevan which had 3 belted seats. The new owner wanted 4 and was having a 4th installed by a specialist seatbelt company. A company such as that could be worth considering? Maybe the seatbelt mount could originate from the ceiling?

I'm considering a roof tent instead now.

[rochfish]

Hi Nick- same issue here. Did you get anywhere?

[NickTara]

Hi Nick- same issue here. Did you get anywhere?

We ended up taking the whole bulkhead out, unbolting and discarding the bottom half of it and then cut the top half away for the reinforced bar section that incorporates the seatbelt mount. We then just bolted this bar section back in place. Bought some rubber u-shaped edging from Amazon and knocked it onto the exposed edges. Sounds a bit drastic, and not as good as being able to remove it completely, but it works for us, opens the whole van up and creates some vital leg room for the bed design.

[rochfish]

Hi Nick- same issue here. Did you get anywhere?

We ended up taking the whole bulkhead out, unbolting and discarding the bottom half of it and then cut the top half away for the reinforced bar section that incorporates the seatbelt mount. We then just bolted this bar section back in place. Bought some rubber u-shaped edging from Amazon and knocked it onto the exposed edges. Sounds a bit drastic, and not as good as being able to remove it completely, but it works for us, opens the whole van up and creates some vital leg room for the bed design.

Thanks alot- this sounds like a good workaround! Interestingly I spoke to Citreon this morning and they said that a coach/van company would make the adjustments (for a single ladder style bulkhead with seatbelt attachment). Hope the rest of the conversion goes well!

[cancunia]

Hi Nick- same issue here. Did you get anywhere?

We ended up taking the whole bulkhead out, unbolting and discarding the bottom half of it and then cut the top half away for the reinforced bar section that incorporates the seatbelt mount. We then just bolted this bar section back in place. Bought some rubber u-shaped edging from Amazon and knocked it onto the exposed edges. Sounds a bit drastic, and not as good as being able to remove it completely, but it works for us, opens the whole van up and creates some vital leg room for the bed design.

Can you post some pictures?

Also, @rochfish did Citroen give any details of companies that can do the conversion?

Thanks.

[rochfish]

Just updating in case people are still following- I'm 5'8 and decided to risk it and not remove the bulkhead- photos below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MJZtjqU...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12C1QLNg...sp=sharing

I've been in it for about a year now and it's just not long enough. I'll be contacting companies to do what Nick suggested as I just need about 20cm more for it to work for me. I'll share if I find someone that will do it and still allow it to be roadworthy.
@nick - did yours pass MOT?

[Gadgetman]

I don't know UK law on this, but here in Norway, removing the bulkhead means it's no longer a van, and you get to do PAPERWORK.

[NickTara]

Just updating in case people are still following- I'm 5'8 and decided to risk it and not remove the bulkhead- photos below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MJZtjqU...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12C1QLNg...sp=sharing

I've been in it for about a year now and it's just not long enough. I'll be contacting companies to do what Nick suggested as I just need about 20cm more for it to work for me. I'll share if I find someone that will do it and still allow it to be roadworthy.
@nick - did yours pass MOT?

Hi, that's a tidy job you've done there.
We've just removed the whole bulkhead and middle seatbelt now.
We're still struggling with finding a solution to opening the sliding door from inside though ...?