3rd gen AC rear seat delete panel

The only thing you need for the back panel trim retrofit is the utility panel. You could probably replace the rear pillar panels where the seat belts are with the beltless version if you don’t want the holes there after removing belts but I just cut up some black flat plastic sheets I had and taped them over the holes on the inside and it looks fine. The install is pretty easy basically see a bolt remove it. You will find a auto trim removal tool useful because strip the entire backseat of it’s plastic. Overall tho it’s pretty straightforward and you can definitely do it yourself. The panel comes with insulation as well as the trim clips already attached. The goose gear platform was also really easy to install. there isn’t much you can screw up. I probably broke a trim clip in the side panels when I took the seatbelts out but that’s not a big deal. Hope that helps.

 

Got my Goose Gear platforms in this week. Well made and as advertised. Hopefully can get time to install in the next week or so.

 

Spent yesterday putting sound deadener on the back and got the platforms in today. Love the way it turned out. Dog can fit now and much more usable space without the seats!

 

Looks great!

 

Came out great!

 

looks great, wished the back wall was that clean looking on the double cab option. i would pull my seats and do that, in a heartbeat. Ski

 

Thanks, the utility panel really does take up less space than the panel with the seats. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

 

Forgive me if I missed it but, does removing the rear belts trip an airbag light?

 

I've had mine out for 2 weeks, no issues or tripped light. I was wondering about something like that too but there is nothing from a wiring standpoint that even hooks up to the rear seatbelts.

 

I guess they don't have SRS pretensioners built into the belts. Awesome news if you want to delete them!

 

Yeah, I don't know exactly how that system works but my assumption is that there would be some type of SRS wiring to the belts, I could be very wrong though. I kept my belts and all associated parts in case an issue arose in the truck, wouldn't be a big deal to put them back in and have them just tucked away there not in use.

 

How are those? I have a plywood/carpet platform back there now but I really like the clean/factory look of these things. Just not sure on the $800 price tag for em. I know it's subjective but do you think they're worth it?

 

They are definitely spendy, so speaking just for my own needs, I believe they were worth it. The price that I had to pay for that utility back panel actually stung a bit more than the Goose Gear platforms. I did see on their website that they now offer a set where you keep the seat back panels. I do believe they are a bit overpriced for what they are. Some things I considered when going back and forth on deciding to buy or build:

1. To your point with the clean/factory look, that was definitely a driving factor. I bought my truck in September and it has less than 5K miles. I decided I wanted something as nice as possible to complement the truck. I plan on having this truck for years so I've had a real buy once, cry once mindset with it considering I'm planning on many years of use. I wanted something more than just a carpeted plywood platform which was my original plan
2. I've done a bit of woodworking and carpentry, I have the tools needed. I also know that to make something that is on the same level as the Goose Gear would take a bit of time and money. The cost of baltic birch ply, the hardware, 80/20 extruded aluminum and having it Line-X'd isn't cheap. Then there's the time to measure everything, get all the curves and contours right, make a template to route out the hatch doors...it's a lot of work. While I'm competent with this, I'm also not a pro so I make a mistake on something and waste a $100 sheet of play, then I need another one...haha.

Some things I don't like: I feel that the bottom should be fully enclosed to make a compartment for the forward hatch. The front supports aren't line-x, they are just raw plywood, doesn't even seem to be coated in any way, I think that's pretty cheap and cutting corners for the price paid. Other than that, they really are a solid product that fit the functionality needs I had and look pretty good.

 

I'm looking at these again as the stimulus check is pending one of my bank accounts so they're looking more enticing. I'm also looking at the 2nd gen AC version, which looks to have the front/sides of it more enclosed/lined. I live in an apartment so I don't have the means to make something of this quality. I had to make the one that I have out on our patio with the saw extension corded through the doorwall. I think if/when I do get this, I'm going to have to fully embrace the 'buy once, cry once' mentality as the plywood one I have in there now is starting to come apart. This also sits lower than the one I have in there now because I didn't pull out the bottom of the seats or the middle console in the back yet. When I put in the plywood one I have, I had to make a little ramp for my dog to get in because she's a lazy bulldog who can't get her ass up that high and the Goose Gear one is low enough to alleviate that, I think.

Thanks for your feedback. Considering your drawbacks seem to be a non-issue on the 2nd gen AC version, I think this will be something I invest in.

EDIT:
A pic of the one I have in there now for reference (with said lazy dog):

 

Sure thing. I saw the 2nd gen ones as well and not sure why they decided to fully enclose and line-x the bottom on those and not on the 3rd gen, it's weird. I think you'll be happy with them, they are really high quality. I have a 90 Lb. dog and there was no way he could be comfortable in the back with the jump seats. It was comical when we made him get in there. The Goose Gear system gives him plenty of room.

 

That's as "Pro" install as you can get. Is it worth it? Sure. If you have the resources, do it. I'm a firm believer that if you want something, get it as long as no body get's hurt...lol. Amazing look and thanks for sharing.
Zim

 

Yeah, our chubster is sitting around 80lbs so the jump seats are way too small for her and the space in between was out of the question. I just contacted them because I don't have a 'dealer in my area' so I need to see if there's a way I can get them shipped straight to me or something. The platform was a definite improvement for fitting her in the truck but having to get her up the ramp is a pain. It's so narrow and she's so wide lol half the time I have to end up picking her up to help her get in.

 

Sounds like we're in the same boat, we use a WeatherTech ramp as our guy has bad hips and can't jump down. It's pretty sturdy and works well. I'd assume they will sell direct...just a heads up, they're in CA and I know they were closed for a while, I got lucky and my order was one of the last ones the dealer received before they shut down, that was a few weeks ago, not sure what their current status is.

 

Ah, I looked into different ramps but the one I made is basically a 1x12" with some 1x2" that fits underneath the platform, it works well enough but she's bowlegged and doesn't get it quite right sometimes. I sent them and e-mail and with our stay-at-home order, we're not in a rush to take the dog anywhere so I'm not worried about getting it right now. I look forward to hearing back from them as I'd be willing to pay shipping to get it direct. Negligible cost against an $800 product...

Off topic, what kind of pup do you have? Ours is American Bulldog/Boxer mix.

 

Right on, we have a mut..haha. My GF got him before we were together, they told her he was boxer / st bernard...I can see it a bit but I think half the time they just make that shit up as they go.