First Gen AC Rear Seat Delete

Here is one picture...

 

Cant see... maybe it’ll show on desktop. On my phone right now

 

Sorry, trying again.

 

If you pull back the carpeting you can remove the stamped steel shelves and build from the ground up. There should be threaded holes under the stamped steel so you can have a stronger foundation. Then you can extend wood to the front legs so they aren't floating without being anchored.

 

Noticed I could remove but decided to keep in place and just bolt on to it.

Planning on building 2(3) storage compartments beyond the 2 existing storage areas. 3rd will be a secret compartment so don’t tell anyone.

 

Finally got around to working on the base. Scariest part complete... I hate working with hand held routers, fkrs are wild and the screw locations were a big worry but came out perfect. There will be a frame around the open areas when complete.

 

Following. So far I am at the delete stage. Time to start planning my platform build. Idea is to get cooler (fridge?) out of bed of truck to make for quicker late night stops preps. Also reworking my sleeping platform at the same time. Going from full width to 1/2 width. My next trip in March is going to start with a late night arrival at the dirt road, where we'll make a quick camp before we head off into the bush for a few days.

 

Post what you come up with bud

 

I love this thread. I was thinking that I'd keep a seat but seeing the possibilities after deleting both makes me think that anyone who'd ride in the back needs the exercise and can walk.

You're doing really nice work. Thanks for the inspiration.

 

Little progress report. Almost ready to put it all together now. Little more paint and should be good to install.

Pic of the additional storage areas...


The “secret” compartment has a somewhat flush push button lock.


Base painted and ready to go



For the doors of the storage areas I used half inch plywood. This is something I’ll eventually redo and use cabinet grade half inch hardwood... when I find the material. I looked to no avail and even tried out making the doors with plastic sheets but didn’t like the plastic.


Got handles off Amazon and had to cut them a bit to make them work. I have a feeling my dumbass just couldn’t figure out/didn’t have the patience to figure out how to make them work without cutting them.





I’ll post an installed pic once complete. Gonna let Bedliner I sprayed on everything dry real well before the install this time. The back wall shelf was stinking up the cab cause my impatient self installed as soon as point was dry. Lol

 

This is really cool! I appreciate being able to watch along. Looking forward to the final product.

 

Small update. Got a few strap down anchors installed. They seemed like they’d make a lot of noise so I pumped silicone in the top section and wrapped black electrical tap along the sides.


Not pretty but they sure won’t be making noise.


Oh and I just wanted to share this cause they’re absolutely amazing. Bacon wrapped jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese. Bake at 450* for about 30mins. Yeah yeah not truck related but they sure do go well with the beer that’s required for working on our trucks.

 

Awesome!

 

Got it installed for the most part. I’ll need to make a Z type slot/holder for the back side of the doors which I’ll work on tomorrow but overall came out pretty well I think.


The “secret” compartment is basically hidden unless the passenger side seat is pulled forward.




Just need to make a latch for the “rear/backside” of the doors so they stay down tight and I’m happy with it overall.

 

Love this!

Great work!!!!!!

 

What's the weight on this?

 

This is coming out very nicely, great work!

I may have to borrow both your anchor idea and fire extinguisher mount idea.

 

217lbs. 14 ounces.

 

I was worried about weight as well but everything is pretty light. I’d guess around 30lbs to 40lbs or so. Not much more than the seats. The sound deadening weighs more

 

The latch/holder of the backside of the doors turned out to be easier to do than expected and got to call myself a blacksmith for a bit.

bought 4 of these L Simpson ties


Finally put my over sized clamp to use


As a somewhat professional Blacksmith now, gentle love taps work better than brute force. End product...


Nice smooth/even surface.


Well that’s all folks. Appreciate the encouragement and nice words along the way!

Next I’m planning on making a storage unit above the rear seat area where the roof slopes along with a few fishing pole holders using the roof handles of the rear seats as bolt on locations. Should I make a new thread for that or continue this one?..

 

I'll suggest keeping it in this thread. These are storage possibilities after deleting the rear seat so the overhead bin is still relevant. Great work on this.

 

Man I want to build a sub box to go under my seat, but seeing how clean this is turning out I'm starting to reconsider. Really good work @Voss definitely continue this thread.

 

You just like it cause it’s painted black lol

 

Thanks for the detailed posts! I was thinking of building a 8" subwoofer box into the middle section - What is the depth/measurements of your middle wall storage compartment? Other than that I'm just going to copy you directly you already did exactly what I was trying to plan out. Well done sir

 

Thanks bud. Post what you come up with. Measurements below

 

Nice work. If you're not tied/addicted to your rearview mirror, an old fashioned rear window gun rack works well as a remove-able weapons/fishing rods/anything long holder. Cheap, too. Pretty safe, too, if you have the tinted back glass and side access windows.

 

Good to know but my goal is to keep as much visibility as possible.

 

Is that 3/4" ply? and did you just rout out a 1/2" for the cubby lids?

 

1” and routed out 1/2”