Is a 7 seat 1999 V70 Bifuel (w/tank behind seat) workable?

[CNGBiFuel]

My boy really loves to ride in the very back of my Bifuel V70. Only i can't indulge thsi too much, it's not legal, and nor should it be. He needs to be strapped in. But he loves the veiw and the sensation. So hell, why not?

I've been looking at the seven seat conversion and have seen many pics of these kits on Ebay etc. My 1999 V70 has the tank behind the rear seat, unlike later 3 x tank Bifuel cars. So, with my CNG tank behind the rear seat, is a 7 seater still an option? It looks tight. And I can't see how these work clearly.

It looks liek the rear vertical of the seven seat conversion does not need to be tight against the back of the rear paseenger seat. Is that correct?
Hope so, becuase I have a boot tha msut be 10-12 inches shorter as a result of space requiored for my tank. Will I have enough space left?

is anyoen running a V70 of my vintage factory Bifuel LPG or CNG as a seven seater?

There's a non factory V70 with one fitted. But a later car.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=124772

Anyone figured it? Thanks

[940_Turbo]

I'd imagine that car you posted has a toroidal tank. The 7 seat conversion sits hard up against the rear seat back when in use.

[CNGBiFuel]

Best I put up pics, I've nnever actually seen a seven-seat in the flesh. Does not sound hopeful. I have a cylinder, which makes for an extra bulkhead. (er, Antique dealers need not apply). See the pics, I'm hoping against hope, there still room enough, behind this?

Thus my boys 7 seat lies against this. He gets less or no leg-room but he's six, he won't care. When he's fed up he'll climb forward.
Does it look like a goer??

I have a shorter spare-wheel 'flap' and most 850 & V70 will have it deeper, I think? Is mine shorter, looks it, if so, is the extra length required?

Perhaps I should be asking the non Bifuel owners how this works, if seven seats won't fit in a Bifuel, then my logic for posting here is a bit off!

[Cheradenine]

I used to have a 7 seat V70. The 7th seat is formed from the 2 flaps over the spare wheel; the flap nearest the tailgate flips 180 degree to form the seat base, the other flap folds up to rest against the top of the rear seat and form the seat back.

Given your LPG tank looks to cover where the 2nd flap would otherwise be (i.e. you've lost 4-6 inches where the std seat would be), I doubt the standard seat would work - you may be able to rig an alternative (Discovery type dickey seat?) but I don't know where you'd mount the seat belts or what approvals you'd need.

If you used a toroidal tank in place of the spare wheel, it'd be simple of course, but whether that's easier than a one-off seat I don't know.

[mikealder]

The standard rear gunner seat won't fit the car with the tank in that location, if you did swap the tank for a donut style one then you could fit the rear seat but you wouldn't be able to fold it flat when not in use - Not really viable to be honest - Also there is a height restriction that any kids must be under to use the rear seat, from memory it is either 1,2M or possibly 1,4M - Mike

[capt jack]

My V70 LPG has a toroidal tank, and I reckon I'd definitely be able to fit the standard rear-facing seats as the tank is only the same size as the spare wheel, and simply sits in the spare wheel well. I should imagine you'd need to think a bit about the piepwork and electrical connections for the gas tank, but I can't see that this would present an insurmountable problem.


Cheers

Jack

[Bendolfc]

Wouldn't want him sat there if someone goes up the back of you. He might like the view but for his safety probably best he isn't in the crumple zone.

[CNGBiFuel]

This isn't going to fly is it, so no rear gunner then? (I like that expression)

Apart from the safety of it, (better he does not spend too much time there), but the second flap, it appears is under my tank. A doughnut is not an option with CNG either.


Sod it.

Thanks for all your replies.

Dagga, dagga, dagga, dagga, dagga, dagga...

I hope I never grow-up.

[Cheradenine]

Must admit, I didn't let the girlfriend's boys use the 7th seat if we were using the motorway, though I had no objection around town.

How come toroidal tanks can't be used for CNG, or does LPG run at lower pressure?

[volvobaggen]

Petroleum gas needs very little pressure to stay in liquid form. I believe I read somewhere that LPG tank pressure is about 10-12 bars. As far as I know, methane is compressed in gaseous state in the CNG tank and transferred in high pressure lines to the reducer in the engine bay. The storage pressure is over 200 bar, and it is probably easier and cheaper to make a cylindrical storage container.