One of the great options available for a Ram ProMaster is the Factory OEM Swivel Seats. With multiple adjustments and smooth easy function, these swivel seats should not be skipped if you are ordering your Ram ProMaster from the factory.
Ram Promaster Swivel Seats
One of the main reasons for ordering a Dodge Ram ProMaster as the base our Family Friendly Weekender Campervan was the optional factory OEM swivel seats. At the time, the ProMaster was the only van that met all our one of which was to have factory-certified swivel seats.
Factory Swivels VS Swivel Base Adapter
Another way to get your driver and passenger seats to swivel is to add in swivel base adapters. We weighed up the advantages of getting factory swivel over adding in a swivel base later.
- Reduced labor, a smooth and trouble-free install is at minimum a few hours. Our time is precious!
- Guaranteed smooth operation.
- Passenger side armrest. The ProMaster does not have an armrest standard on the passenger seat.
- Actual final cost is close to par if you add in the additional lowering bases that people often do.
For our situation, it was a no brainer, the factory option Swivel Seats win hands down!
Ram ProMaster Factory Swivel Seats – How Do They Work?
Most aftermarket swivel seat bases have the engagement lever on the backside. This means you cannot swivel the seat while seated. The beauty of the Ram ProMaster Factory Swivel Seats is that the lever is on the front. Allowing you to swivel the seat without getting up. At my leg length and preferred backrest adjustments, I can just spin right around so easily!
Seat Height and Head Room
One thing you often hear about from people who have installed swivel seat bases in their ProMaster vans is the additional seat height the swivel base adds. This causes either hanging legs for short people or for tall people it causes your head to lineup with the (optional) parcel shelf.
The Factory Ram ProMaster Swivel Seats Don’t Have These Problems.
The OEM Swivel in the ProMaster uses a different base from the standard seat. This integrated seat base and swivel mechanism are designed to compensate for any additional height. I am 6’3” so hanging legs is not an issue and I don’t have any problems with head height and hitting the parcel shelf.
To Summarize
Six months of daily use in and I just love the Ram ProMaster Factory Swivel Seats. Just swivel the seats around into our Dinette area for waiting. The kids can get uniforms on in the back area. Dropping the kids off at their different activities is so much easier when you basically have a dressing room on wheels. The operation is smooth and easy. We are extremely happy with going the OEM route over adding a swivel base in after delivery. If you have the option and are still debating between Factory Swivels or aftermarket bases I would say it is a no brainer. Get the factory swivels!
Lastly, if you have any questions, post a comment below or reach out on one of our social channels, we would be happy to help.
Check out our latest #Vanlife related content Here.
Thanks for reading, and remember to always take the road less traveled!
I have a 2022 Ram ProMaster 2500 (converted to a 2023 Winnebago Roam). It has the factory option swivel seats. They are SO HARD for me to turn. I am 5’0” & paraplegic with a severe pain generating spine issue (Adhesive Arschnoiditis & Spina Bifida Occulta) & EDS that causes me to dislocate easily. There is NOTHING to hold onto to pull myself around & they are so stiff. A- anyone have pointers to get them to swivel easier? (I am dislocating my elbow pulling out the impossible corner & trying to start the swivel.) and really, what I actually need B- anyone have a good lead on getting a power swivel installed? I really need this to be powered (& the “disability specific” Braun 6way seat base would require losing the entire kitchen it is so long & costs over $8000 to just do the driver side. Passenger side would blow the whole thing up…blocking the sliding door opening, thereby preventing me from being able to come into the van from the UVL (under van lift)…which has its own set of “ermagerd What?!?” Issues. I LOVE this vehicle…the handful of issues that are being a nightmare to solve not withstanding. I will prevail…just trying to check all possibilities to get the best & most affordable solution before my body takes too many more hits. 🫠
I have a 2017 Promaster 2500. I’m looking for a bench swivel for the front right side. Do you know where I may find it? Kindly
2016 dodge ram promaster . Is there any way yo make the passenger seat tip back more oyer than the factory setting
I have a 2016 dodge ram pro master with swivel seats. I would like to make th passenger tilt back further. Any suggestoona ?
Hi Jim, I know what you mean, as I have seen seats that tilt back almost flat. I am unsure of the procedure to make it happen though. Let me know if you find out.
Thanks,
Does the factory swivel also have the wiring underneath that you have to be aware of not “winding up”?
I have a Promaster Van, with the stock seats. I found a factory swivel seat for sale that matches part number for Promaster Van. Wondering if it will fit to the same floor mounting holes. I can see the seat belt setup is different. The factory swivel seat has an integrated seat belt, where the stock seat has seat belt attached to side wall panel.. Any experience with that?
I wish I was commenting on your post to give you an answer, conversely, I am requesting information on how you found the factory swivel seat. I have been searching for them and I’m not finding anything except frustration,
Hello—
My 2022 Promaster City swivel seats have me too tall. Could I switch out the seat for a low base swivel(if available?)
Hi Jean, Thanks for reaching out. I wish I had the answer for you but, I don’t have experience with Promaster City Swivels.
We have a Promaster 2020 that we bought in August 2020. Our passenger seat has an armrest but not a swivel seat. I guess it was an error. We did not order it that way.
Thank you so much for this valuable information! It is greatly appreciated! I am planning on purchasing a promaster 1500 low roof as my daily driver and weekend wanderer vehicle. My unique issue is that I part-time nanny my two year old grandson. Does the passenger swivel seat lock when reversed to rear facing. This would be a huge stipulation for me and using a child car seat. I’m also assuming that I can disable the passenger airbag. Thank you in advance for your response!
HI Diana,
Thanks for your comment and patience while I get back to you. BOTs and Spammers flood my comments box so it is not my favorite thing. (sad face)
I cannot recommend the idea you had mentioned. Here is why.
There are limit switches that prevent the vehicle from being operated while the swivels are turned. Drive will not engage and a warning will show saying the seat is not in the locked position. It could be possible to override these safety switches, but doing so would make you liable for damages in the event of a collision.
Personally, I would recommend installing a removable rear bench seat.
Hi I’m not so interested in the swivel so much we have a custom console. But we’ve been looking for an arm rest for the passenger seat and I’ve seen knobs on the side of the seats that our stock set don’t have. Are these for lumbar support, seat pitch and general comfort? I would like to know much more of what these seat have to offer.
Thanks you,
Michael
Hello Micheal,
We do not sell any parts or accessories for swivels or anything else van-related. If I were you I would look at Mopar Parts Websites online.
HI Ben
What promaster van can not ues a swevel seat.///
We do not have on but i have the Swivel adder and would like to knoe the Promaster cant use one be for i go out and buy one I am an Army Vet But the VA wont help me so i will help myself.
Please tell witch low van to get and iwiput it inMYSELF.
tHANKS
phil
First, thank you for the post. It is probably the most informative piece about factory swivel front seats I have read.
Can you kindly answer a question: What is the height between the floor and the top of bottom cushion of these swivel seats?
I am wondering if a seat / bed setup similar to yours will be able to clear the bottom cushion, when the front seats face the rear and the seat / bed can slid 2 ft forward via L-tracks.
That would save a lot of space in a short van.
Thanks advance! Frank
Hi
We just received the 2021 Winnebago Solis – Ram Promaster body. I was extremely disappointed that the passenger seat had no armrests at all. I can’t imagine long distances with arms just hanging down. I would like to replace the passenger seat completely for one with armrests. What do you suggest?
Dede
How come my post just popped up as sent at 7:17 pm? It was only 3:17? Where are you guys?
I just test drove a 2020 ram promaster with factory installed swivel seats. I found it very uncomfortable even for a 15 minute test drive. I had no leg room and it felt unsafe because I could hardly lift my foot enough to hit the break. The salesperson was not familiar with the van but we ran the seats back as far as possible, which was way too little for me. It was a relief to get back in my Subaru.
Hi Donna,
Thats great information, thank you for sharing.
I’m guessing different body types will have different experiences when it comes to comfort.
For me at 6’3″ with long arms and long legs I find my 2018 swivel seats quite comfortable. admitedly though, it will never compare to the comfort of the bucket seats in a Subaru 😀
I hope you find what you are looking for,
Ben
Do the swivel seat recline? I notices that the Winnebago Traveto Promaster seats, the driver seat did not recline much at all. Annoying.
Hi Han,
In our van, the driver’s seat does recline, however, when facing backward the recline is restricted by the steering wheel. The passenger seat does recline to a comfortable amount.
I am not familiar with the Travato floor plan, but you may find that your seat back is locked out so it does not interfere with your cabin furniture. You should talk to Winnebago to confirm with them.
Thanks,
Ben
Would anyone know where I can find a swivel for the driver side that can fit into a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Would you be able to point me toward a swivel that would be able to be installed into a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Unfortunately, due to safety issues, I cannot comment on swivels for that particular vehicle.
Sorry about that,
Are the pm 6way seats the swivel seats?
Hey Jake,
When ordering our swivels, the 6 way option was a different order code and not available when selecting swivels. Because of this I can confidently say that the 6-way seats are not swivel seats.
Hi, and thank you for the info on the swivel seats. I have been putting off getting a Promaster due to all of the negative comments on the internet regarding the seats being way too high. I also sat in a few at the dealership and agreed, the standard seats are way too high. My eyeline was almost at the top of the windshield. I am also 6’3″ tall. My question is, with the factory swivels, do you have to contort your neck at intersections to see the traffic signals?
Sincerely,
Michael
Hi Micheal, thanks for reaching out.
I do find on occasion if at the front of the lineup I may have to lean forward to see the signal, I wouldn’t call it contortion though. Personally I don’t find it to be a huge issue.
Also, we have many Far-Side traffic signals in our area, so that helps.
If you have a chance to test drive the factory swivels, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks,
Ben
Thank you!
I will try to find a van with the factory swivels installed.
I appreciate your input.
Michael
Hello and thanks for the informative review!
I would like to purchase 2 factory swivel seats. 2018 high roof 118 Dodge Promaster.
Please advise me who to contact about this?
Thanks, Jon Smyth
Hi Jon, I have a feeling the factory swivels are only available when ordering a Promaster new.
You would have to check with your local Ram dealer to confirm that though.
Hi there! WHerre did you get the arm rest. for the passenger seat?
Hi Allie, The passenger armrest comes with the Passenger Swivel option from the factory.
Our 2019 promaster didn’t come with a passenger armrest, so we are also looking. Would be interested in what you find.