KRAKEN's DIY Rear Seat Delete / Raised Cargo Platform with locking storage

[KRAKEN]

Thanks to all the members that shared their 2 door seat delete projects which gave me lots to think about as I tackled my own. The goal was to provide a raised cargo platform with underfloor locking storage while maximizing the space behind the front seats. Most of the time my gear for a day trip is stored behind the seats without needing to open the tailgate. I throw in my daypack and my gun or hiking staff, depending on the outing, behind the front seats. My design sets the front of the cargo platform back behind the rear seat footwells to maximize space and also allows for a full recline of the driver & passenger seats. The front of the platform also provides a lip to keep cargo from sliding forward. I also wanted a long lockable compartment accessible from the driver’s seat that could hold a rifle or shotgun. I will share my build mostly with photos.

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[KRAKEN]

There are no measurements and no drawing; the design was created by mocking up various configurations and taking required measurements on the fly. I am a big believer in “fit checks”. I did rely heavily on cardboard templates as suggested by other members to ensure proper plywood cuts. I already had a lot of the material required; 2x6s, latches, brackets, bolts & screws. I had to buy plywood, hinges, tie-downs, primer & bed liner, and decking material. I used the same double offset piano hinges that member broox used from Amazon. The locking compression latches were given to me from a friend that had them left over from a boat build. Not exactly made for use with ¾ inch deck material, but I made them work. The tie-down cleats (Amazon) are plastic (nylon) and are under flat spring tension closed or open, so they do not rattle. The deck is covered with foam boat decking material with 3M adhesive backing. I figure you could build this for around $500 +/-.

 

[KRAKEN]

I removed the factory floor in the back; which is the storage cover and tie downs, and covered all the exposed metal surfaces with pieces of closed cell industrial anti-fatigue mat to provide some insulation. The cargo platform was built in two sections which are bolted together once in the vehicle; a forward gun vault section and a rear section with two storage compartments. Having two pieces allows much easier insertion & removal which was required more times than I would like to remember during the build process. Worth mentioning here that you will scratch your interior plastic with installing/removing the platform multiple times. I did a pretty good job and only had some minor scratches.

The main structure is made from 2x6s and the front panel, rear panel, and top are made from ¾ inch birch plywood. This design gives me 5 ½ +/- inches of additional storage over the vehicle floor. Keep in mind the vehicle floor is anything but flat. I placed the 2x6 cross members in relatively flat locations. The storage areas created for the back two compartments are 36 inches wide. The center compartment is 10x36 inches while the back compartment is the OEM storage x 36 inches wide. You could make the compartments wider, but I was working around my Builtright cargo panels. The front gun vault compartment needed to be a little wider to so an average hunting rifle would fit… no problem, I cut a “rat hole” on either side and added an aluminum strip on the bottom for reinforcement.

 

[KRAKEN]

The platform frame is secured to the floor by four of the seat bolts in front and two of the rear tiedown bolts in the back using metal L brackets which I modified by drilling the required bolt holes. I installed wood “lattice” strips (1 ½ x ¼ ) to form a sill around each hatch lids to help keep some dust/dirt out of the storage compartments. Once the two modular pieces were complete I used black rattle can primer and covered the entire surface of each section with multiple coats. The top of the plywood deck was to be covered with adhesive backed foam boat decking, so I sanded the primer on that surface to give a smooth surface for the adhesive to stick. I think I used 5 cans of black Rustoleum primer. The front & back panels, along with the underside of the hatch lids and the entire interior storage areas were covered with a couple spray cans of Duplicolor bed liner.

 

[KRAKEN]

I let the assemblies air out & offgas for a few days and then covered the deck with foam boat decking material with 3M adhesive backing. Adhesion was pleasantly very good. After getting both sections installed and bolted together, I lined the cargo compartments with some closed cell foam.

 

[TX21BRONC]

All I can say is ...DAMN, that is awesome. Great work and it looks better than some other commercial options out there. Thank you for sharing your build with the community.

 

[hotrodtim]

Andy your work is very impressive to say the least. Practical also.

 

[Ramble_Offroad]

Cool!

 

[APEX REX]

Holy crap, that's awesome!!! Great job OP.

 

[Roofus]

This isn't a seat delete project. This is an opportunity to get out of the rat race and start a business. Beautiful work. Best I've ever seen. If I wanted a seat delete, this would be it.

 

[Mjtermini]

I let the assemblies air out & offgas for a few days and then covered the deck with foam boat decking material with 3M adhesive backing. Adhesion was pleasantly very good. After getting both sections installed and bolted together, I lined the cargo compartments with some closed cell foam.

Incredible piece of workmanship and design! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Buck N Bronc]

This is beautiful! Well done sir! That would be well worth the short hop from Atlanta if you started building these for sale!

 

[userdude]

That's really nice, man. Great job.

 

[Valhalla]

Any idea on finished weight??

 

[irishkpo]

That is the BEST looking rear seat delete and storage option I have seen yet. Awesome job.

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