Removing Rear Seats For More Storage?

Is anyone aware of any build threads/others who have completely removed their rear seats in their crew cab and built some sort of storage back there?

I never have passengers back there and often times when I carry stuff in the back with the seats folded down, it ends up scratching the seats/door panels. I got the idea to remove the back seats + plastic panel in the back and build some sort of cabinetry or water holding tank for longer camping trips. Tried to search to see if anyone else has done anything like this but could only come up with this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/double-cab-rear-storage-boxes.370467/

Also: Any ideas for what to put back there? In the market for a flippac/tent camper cap so the back seat could be valuable storage for stuff as well.

 

I have a AC but went with this after removing the seats. And not sure if you've seen this? Molle Panel to replace the rear plastic back, pretty neat!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-or-ac-rear-seat.410254/page-93#post-16192689

 

I have removed the rear seats as well. I have built drawers for both sides along with a slide for the fridge here are a few pics. I’ll get some more. But I added a 10.6gal front runner tank for on board water. Wrapped it in duct insulation to help regulate the water temp in all seasons. Added electrical into the boxes to give a SAE outlet for the fridge to plug in and not wiggle loose 2 USB ports and a cigarette lighter. The drawers are 18” wide by 6” tall by 24” deep. I made them all the same size so that I can build organizers to use in all drawers.

 

Thats fantastic, how is the set-up working out for you? Do you ever miss the seats or is it kindof irrelevant at this point? Brilliant water tank idea, do you shower with it or is it just for cleaning/cooking while on the trails? Is 10.6 gallons enough for you?

 

I'm on the fence between removing back seats like Derrick did above or going with Decked system for bed.

 

When I built the boxes I just built drawer boxes. I used some .125 aluminum to make the mounts I used the factory seat bolts. I can unbolt it and bolt in the seats in about 30 min. And the water is plenty. I shower with it I cook I drink with it. And it is my wife and I we did 5 days and had no issue. I do keep a 5 gal jerry can on the bumper for cleaning dishes though. I plumbed out of the water tank with air fittings for quick disconnect. Then into a seaflow 12volt pressure activated transfer pump. It is amazing!

 

Decked bed system? Am I understanding that right or have people actually built beds in the cab of their trucks?

I love that idea.. its perfect for what I need. How much did the tank run you all in?

 

The tank I think was $214 shipped. I got it with free shipping. The pump was $29 on Amazon. Plus $5 in hose from home depot and a few air fittings.

 

@dccoursler Nice work! I have been wanting to do this build for years. How did you mount the front runner? @NeonHeights i have wanted to keep one seat in my 2013 DCLB but the whole back seat is one unit! so stupid.

 

The front bumper is mounted about the same as everyone else. The 3 front bolts on each side one below and one above for a total of 5 per side.

 

I love this setup with the water tank. a couple of questions... Can you leave the tank in when you put the seats back in or do you need to remove it? I ask because I already removed the large section of seats and may not remove the small one. Also, what about water sloshing noise..is it loud/annoying?

 

No I could not leave the tank in with the seats. Which is why ultimately I went away from the tank. Speaking of I need to sell that thing

 

Check my build, its not that many pages, but I folded up my rear seats, removed headrests, and built a platform. MUCH BETTER for what i need

 

ah. well if i could still use my seats i would say i would buy this from you! what setup did you go with instead?

 

I still have the boxes. The water is now in the bed in Jerry cans with a fixed lid. So I can carry only what weight I need to carry

 

do you have a write-up on this rear seat platform storage build?

 

No sir I do not. The boxes are super simple. 18” wide 24” deep with 22” soft close drawer slides and plastic marine grade matches.

 

Resurrecting this thread because I really like how dcoursler used those bottom mount drawer slides under his fridge. I’ve been searching for heavy duty bottom mount drawer slides in vain. These look to me like normal side mount slides horizontally mounted under the fridge platform.

Is that correct? And how did they work out? Do they effectively support the weight of the fridge in the horizontal position? Just asking because I’m not sure how drawer slides are made to support weight. I always figured it was vertically. If this works I’d love to use the idea. Thanks!