Workin' on my first major interior mod. I wanted a way to transport my dog without her having to sit on the front seat - and being 50lbs she needed a larger space then the rear seats would allow.

So the first step was to pull the rear seat backs and to remove the rear seat bottom. i also removed the center seat back mounting bracket. I then made a template that laid out the seating area and its relation to the rear cargo area. using that template i made a cutout of some expanded polystyrene.

I'm using the styrofoam to support a 1/4 baltic birch plywood platform that will span from right behind the front seats all the way to the rear hatch. The platform will be padded with 1/4 carpet padding and then black carpet matching the interior. I'm even thinking about a little special something - like the mini logo in the carpet.... we'll see

Attached is the polysty getting cut on our CNC machine at work to get the two planes of the backseat area and the cargo area to match up. i love my work toys

I'll put up more pictures in progress if you guys are interested, if not i should have it all wrapped up hopefully this coming weekend.

b.

 

some more progress picts - got a shot of the the template i made to show some of the people who have asked me in messages...

also there is a shot of the polysty after i cut it out - it'll be held in place with simple elastic chord to keep it locked down, but simple to remove if needed. i also have a shot of the 1/4" baltic birch ply in the back after cutting it out and sanding.

next stop, the upholstery shop for padding and carpet - it's like a MINI panel van now

b.

 

My first thought: "What happens to those wood panels in an accident?"

 

hopefully they're held down Ocho, my dog

 

The foam is good for a filer/support, but I would suggest some sound dreading material first. You will be surprised how much noise comes from back there after the RSD.

Jim

 

totally jelly about your work machine. what else do you get to play with/where do you work to play with these? theres sooo much stuff id like to do to my MINI that awesome machines like CNC's would make it a cinch to do.

 

yeah Jim - i'm planing on installing some sound absorbing material (i.e. dynamat or alternative) I wanted to get everything upholstered and finish the install so i could make the decision based off of what i'm hearing. I've been driving around for a week with no seats or anything installed so it's been crazy noisy...

Corin - we have a CNC router that we can machine foam / wood / aluminum / brass / plastic... just about everything softer than steel. Also have a full on paint booth and workshop. www.3axisinc.com - we're a custom fabricator for architects. (and we're all gear-heads

I really wish i had some photogrammetry software so i could 3D map my MINI to make parts fit like a glove, so if anyone has $3,500 bucks to get us a licensee i'll carve you whatever you want

Back on topic, i should have the floor padded and carpeted maybe friday - i'll take some good picts when it's all finished.

b.

 

I also did a rear seat delete and used Baltic birch for flooring and bulkhead. I enclosed the rear for a large boot (trunk). This photo shows it without the top (removable) panel.



I did extensive soundproofing and found Sound Deadener Showdown to be the best source for info and materials.

Mass loaded vinyl was necessary as Dynamat only does part of the job.



Note that you need to be able to remove the floor to access the oval black panels under the rear seat to change the fuel filter.

 

Looks good Robin!

I went the cheap and sprayed in plasti-dip over the seat cavity (don't worry - tapped off the access panels). The polystyrene and plasti-dip have brought the ambient noise down below stock so I'm happy - I don't even have the deck carpeted yet!

What did you use to fill in the seat cavity?

B.

Ps. - pure silver baby!

 

all finished. took Ocho (the dog) for a test ride and she seamed to approve

(at least she had space to lay down and didn't slide all over the place...)

I'm really happy with how it all looks and i have a sneeky hidden compartment in the boot that is 24" x 10" x almost 8" deep where i removed the old boot deck and opened up that cavity that was filled with the car jack and tools. Someday i'll fab up a box to fit snug in there with audio goodies but for now I have some place to hide my goodies when parked.

b.

 

That came out really great. Good work! Doggie looks pretty dang happy with it too.

 

Great Job!!! Now you have a SUB 50 LB woofer in the back.

 

 

 

What a great job and what a lucky dog !!

 

looks great!

 

Excellent work, looks great!

 

Well done, looks fantastic and the dog has more room than the driver!

 

Sure does beat those ridiculous faux rear seats.

 

it's time - time to sell the mini

it's a long story but at the same time, sall good because i know some point in the future i'll be back in one - someday!

check the marketplace because i'm selling this rear seat delete kit. I'm in Kansas City.

brad.

 

here is the link to the post in the marketplace:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3549165

 

That looks incredible

 

damn, that's sick. great finish mate.

 

That is really cool. This is how I cram my 50lb dog in the back.

lol the blanket prevents his nails from scratching the bumper on the entry/exit, and absorbs a bit of his shedding. I can't do a rear seat delete cus I have a 2 year old that requires a car seat. And there's a 10" sub in the back too.

It's funny when we roll into a parking lot, with the after market rims, sporty exhaust, and dark windows with the bass thumping. And then we pull out a 2 year old and pop the hatch and a dog jumps out.

PS what is your dog mixed with? Mine is a boxer/husky and looks similar, cool coincidence lol