3rd Gen Rear Seat Delete & Storage build

Hello all!



So I've been really thinking (more like fantasizing) about a rear seat delete to storage box build. We've all seen the boxes and other deletes out there. It is pretty easy to just buy the delete and install it. But where is the satisfaction... Not to mention the price.

I was in a fortunate position to be in an abundance of angle iron. You know those old metal bed frames... yeah. well I had about 4 bed frames worth. So in the grand scheme of things, I figured it would be great project and I would probably only spend about 100$ over the 1k plus for some of those nice fab deletes. Why not give it a shot.

Once I got the seats out I took out my back wall panels as I was planning to build directly onto the frame of the truck. This quickly changed however as I found it would be much more difficult to install anything let alone angle iron to conform to the wall as much as I would like. Especially to be able to minimize the sound from the vents. So I got to work. Chopping, grinding and welding my way through. It took me just a little over a day and I've got my frame. (see pics below)

Now about half way through building my frame I was gifted with a 12" subwoofer. this will be taking some space up in this box as well now.


The idea is the have gas struts on the lid when I can have mounting points. I am thinking of Birch lacquered cabinet wood to fit along the sides and top of the frame but this may eventually change to some type of plastics etc.


Tell me what you think! Ill update this as It develops more!

 

*UPDATE*

started painting the frame! Next it’s cutouts! Also picked up an amp for the sub

 

Another pic of the first coat

 

Update.

this cuts are a little difficult on the sides

and I don’t have enough. So I’m thinking of a drawer on sliders that will slide out of the side portions

 

Paint update.
Got the wood stained. Got the second coat on the frame. First coat was just a black primer. Now a did a little more durable coat. Waiting for it to dry up now but got the hinge for the lid on!

 

Update.

used exel glue…. Just to set my panels…

The preferred route was to glue, and set with bolts…. However time and the weather outside made me shift course. So glue it is for now. Set time is 4 hours and 24 hours to cure. So we will see.

i start my trip back up north tomorrow so I’m hoping by the morning time I’m rock solid.

 

All right people,


I woke up and really regretted using the exel glue. It didn’t hold as nicely and was pretty messy. This led to a pretty grumpy morning of trying to add in some quick brackets and get on the road before the weather got bad again. The humidity also didn’t help with any sort of drying on the stain so that’s pretty lame.


Little disappointed, but it was a 2 day project before I had to leave town and head back home. Once I’m back I plan to lay the sides and front with sub box carpet. Initially I wanted that nice wood look but it got a little messed up from all the extra factors from yesterday.

fitment works great however. Gas struts are coming in, and I also plan on installing a light strip inside with a switch that opens my circuit once the lid is lifted.

The seat are about 80% back in those photos I’m 5.10 and like driving with lots of leg room so it’s more than sufficient. Another thing that I forgot to consider is lean position of the seat with the ability to lift the lid. This doesn’t allow for smooth or efficient lifting. I’m thinking of splitting the lid and adding another piano hinge on the bottom side. This would allow me to flip that portion up for quick access to the front storage spot and then also lift the whole lid if needed without having to run to each side and adjust the seats!

Check it out

 

Nice! I don't recall seeing one made with angle iron before. It's funny, I've seen quite a few threads on rear seat decks recently, and I even started working on my own DIY deck several days ago. Must be something in the water.

 

It definitely has to be. It’s been a project I’ve been wanting to do for a few months and happy I started it!

initially I was worried about the weight with angle iron but with just the frame of it it weights about 25 pounds. Then the wood and all the panels come out to about 40ish

I spent 30 bucks on this so far just for the wood and stain, all the angle iron was acquired from people tossing out their old bed frames ‍♂️ works for me