Rear Seat Delete Decks

Great job! Your truck is immaculate!

 

I will buy one for an AC.

 

There is so much inspiration in this thread, and that gave me the confidence to do this too. So big thanks to the OP and everyone that contributed.

I finally did my own 3rd Gen Tacoma ‘Quad Cab’ Rear Seat Removal and Wooden Platform Installation Mod. My sole reason was our new (to us) girl Phoenix. She loves rides in the truck now more than I could have ever hoped! So it was on me to make it as safe and comfortable for her as possible. Obviously her role in all this was to supervise.




I ran into a tiny issue though, some may even say phhhttt about, but I am anal. More about that later. On with the show........

Removing the rear seat bottoms and rear seat backs was pretty straightforward. Except for that middle bracket/hinge attached to the seat backs. That was a complete MFr! I even tried removing the drivers side cubby to make it easier but had no luck with that.



I eventually won!




I also decided that since I have the JBL setup I'm leaving the plastic back panels in place. I think I'll be fine. I am adding a cargo organizer to the back of the cab wall. Shown here:

Wrangler Rear Seat Storage Trunk Tool Organizers Cargo Net with Storage Pouch Bags Molle Hanging Compatible with 2007-2023 Jeep Wrangler JK JL Unlimited 4 Doors

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L1ND68R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8

Right now when we go anywhere with Phoenix, we always take a "go bag" with all her essentials. It was too big for behind the seats in the footwells, and on the back seat in her way. So, I would throw it in the bed. Of course, if I needed something I would have to stop yadda yadda yadda. Now, not only can most of that stuff and more just stay in the truck out of the way, it will also be accessible by my co-pilot without me stopping.

I figured this option would be a lot cheaper and hell of a lot easier than removing the panels, buying, and adding sound deadening, buying a molle panel setup, then buying the molle bags. Also, if I ever need to, I can remove this entire thing, filled, and hang it in my garage.

I plan on adding more storage solutions like this to the doors too. If I must, I can do the seat backs as well. Like this:

Lesiyou Front Upper Door Bags for Can Am Maverick X3 XDS XDS Turbo R with Removable Knee Pad

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LNWZ5VJ/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A1NVP34VXY7CAY

$20 ULEEKA Car Backseat Organizer with 10" Table Holder, 9 Storage Pockets Seat Back Protectors Kick Mats for Kids Toddlers, Travel Accessories, 2 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/ULEEKA-Organ...ck+storage&qid=1623426828&s=automotive&sr=1-4

For my platform, I used some leftover 3/4" OSB T&G Sub-floor plywood I had laying around. It's super dense and very weighty. I needed the platform to fold up out of the way so I bought 2 ea. 48" black piano hinges from HD. Then of course 4 ea. 5/16" x 1" bolts (however, 1.5" would allow for washers), nuts and washers. $25 ish all in.

My reason for 3 sections and my design in general is because of how tight I wanted the platform to fit between the back of the front seats (it touches) and the plastic cab panels (it touches), and I wanted it to be as low as possible so more of Phoenix’s body was in the truck than out of it. I also wanted easy access to the under-seat storage.



Don't mind the fur, it stays in the truck.



Yes, that is the normal lean of our seats. LOL. We pimp this bitch!

I knew my requirements would require something that folded into shorter sections than some of the other designs out there. The rear seat back hinges are perfect but too high for my taste as a dog platform. I decided on the bottom seat hinges that fold forward. The drawback with this choice is that when you attach a anything to them and fold it forward, it contacts the hump very quickly. So, you must either cut out for it, which leaves a gap right behind the console, or cut the platform short the entire width and have a huge gap behind the seats too. So, using a small piece of cardboard, I taped it to the top of the center hinge and flipped it forward. When the cardboard made contact on the top of the hump, I bent it so it could fold forward some more. When I had what I thought was enough of an angle of the platform to be able to open the bins below I measured that protrusion beyond the hinge from the mounting hole. My final measurement was 3.5" forward of that. As expected, this left a 7" gap to the back of the front seats. That led to the addition of the front folding section. Now, not only am I filling the 7” gap all the way to the backs of the seats, but I also don’t have to cut out for the hump and the gap at the console only is about a half an inch (because our seats are even with the console). The back folding section is simply because all my plywood was only 16" long pieces. I saved about $60 holding onto this plywood for the last 10 years LOL.



I like that it angles upward because it helps her to remain stable when I brake suddenly.

Here you can see how all the pieces came together and how tight the fit is.

Front seat backside = zero gap, minimal rub.



Back panel = zero gap, minor rub (will be addressed).



Here's how the design works.

Fold up the rear section........



Fold up the front section........



Note - the 2x4 legs are temporary. More about that later.

Then you tilt all three sections forward........



These are the permanent solution for the legs and will replace the temporary solution of lengths of 2x4 cut for it to rest on. These are folding shelf brackets.

$12 Sumnacon Sturdy Folding Shelf Brackets - Heavy Duty Black Metal Triangle Table Bench Folding Shelf Bracket 8", 2 Pcs Folding Shelf Hinge Wall Mounted, Max Load 99lb

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X8XF2FX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8

I will orient them this way mounted under this front section of plywood.



Then they will be able to be folded up when I need to. They will also provide more room under the front section for storage in the footwell.

So now the issue. Or non-issue depending on how anal you might be.

I was on the fence about how to finish it off. The bare sanded wood was too slippery for Phoenix. So, paint, bedliner, carpet???? I opted to go with carpet. I wanted outdoor marine carpet but couldn’t find it in stock nearby. So, the wife ran to HD and picked up a box of 18” self-stick tiles. They are textured cross hatch pattern. I had to cut them down, and again, being anal, I even cut out for my bolt heads underneath.



The carpet is super nice, easy to cut, and looks fantastic in there. However, it is thicker than I would like and as a result, at the hinge points when I fold the sections it makes contact with the carpet from the other section and that prevents the panels from folding flat together how I’d like them to.



I could reverse the hinge on the rear section, and problem solved. Instead I used a Wahl hair clipper and shaved the carpet along the edge to taper it. I tried it on a piece of scrap first and it seemed to work well. You can barely tell the joints are tapered.



As you can see though, it was less effective than I would have liked it to be.



It folds closed enough to be able to access the under seat storage though, and creates are sort of shelf for things like beverages etc should you need to put one down. Or a brush I suppose.

Anyway, it took me a lot longer than I thought it would or should have but it was over 90 degrees both days. Overall I am very pleased with the results and Phoenix is happy too so mission accomplished. She has no issues clearing the jump and jumping down is nicer for her too. I'm adding non skid tape to the sliders where he paws make contact.















She was excited and thought we were going out. Naturally we had to. So thanks again to all of you that had a part in my decision!!! This definitely includes you @EatSleepTacos and @rnish !!!!

 

Looks fantastic Roberto, good work.

 

Thank you Ragejo I had to make sure there was enough room for Phoenix and that stud Anthony just in case they ever have a play date at the park.

 

Good lord those look so nice and, well done! But I'm angry because I thought I was done with my truck and then, I stumbled onto this! Damn TW forums!

 

That's always the way. Every thread is another black hole for your wallet

 

Phoenix says "thank you" too to the OP and to everyone else!

 

Ok, rear seat fan and platform legs (brackets) got delivered/installed/tested this morning.















Now the front section is level which is ok. This whole mod is really coming out better than I had hoped. The hanging organizer gets delivered Tuesday. I need to figure out how I'm going to attach the two outward corners. The two inside straps will easily attach to the coat hanger hooks. If I have to, I'll utilize the grab handles somehow. I might look at removing the seat belts and attach there but I need to be cautious because of the air bags in there.

Again, Phoenix is very happy and safer as a result of this mod and that was my goal.

 

amazing. What is that rear seat fan???

 

Phoenix is rocking those goggles

 

Thanks Aaron

Here is the link

$26 HITOPTY Car Fan, 12V Auto Fan with Cigarette Lighter Plug for Vehicle, SUV, RV

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NKTBNJ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_TZNA3YGGMAZB1CBE44DF?_encoding=UTF8

It was a bit spendy but she's worth it. I like these hamster wheel fans. They tend to be much quieter than traditional fans. This one is all plastic but it's still very quiet. It's only two speeds but on 2 it's plenty of air. As a bonus, the color matches the truck

 

She's a trooper and puts up with our shenanigans

Truth is, being a motorcyclist for many years, I know first hand about being hit with bugs. I read about the dangers of bug and debris strikes in dogs eyes while riding in vehicles and sticking their heads out of the windows. We're currently in the middle of the 17 year periodical cicada. So the goggles became a necessity.

Also, we think she's just so damn cute in them!

 

One possible solution to allow the pieces to fold a little flatter is to bevel the edges of the wood on either side of the hinges. This will create a little relief and will allow the panel to close a little bit more and the carpet dipping down into the bevel should pretty much hide the bevel. Food for thought. If you were going to try it then I would try it out on a couple scrap pieces of plywood in order to see how effective it would be before ripping apart all your hard work.

 

Thanks for the insight Aaron. I actually shaved the carpet to bevel it and it made it better but not as good as I'd like it to be. I also thought about raising the hinge so that it protrudes more which in theory should allow it to fold better. However, then the hinges would be sticking out farther than I'd like for the comfort of the pooch. Shaving the carpet already revealed more of them and the very first thing I noticed was how evident it became when I ran my hand over them. I may shave it back away from the hinge more and see what happens.

Thanks for chiming in though Brother! Hey, by the way, my 3rd Gen Low Mount/No Drill License Plate Bracket is still good as new a year later!

 

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!

 

What's everyone doing about the outer seatbelts? The middle one is self explanatory.

 

Some people remove them completely. I'm not sure about it because of the air bags but I am going to investigate it. I have those retainers on the trim moulding holding them in place so I am 70/30 on just leaving them alone.

 

I did a 60%. Just left it alone.

 

Dang I just took out the seat bottoms. I still have a flat surface that lifts up easily.
Great work though all of you!