Interior/Exterior My Flat Floor Solution - DIY Rear Seat Delete
#1
My Flat Floor Solution - DIY Rear Seat Delete
I've searched this site and mini2.com for examples of a totally flat (and completely level) cargo area with hidden storage underneath. I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I used ideas from the many different solutions I found to fabricate my own RSD that meets my needs perfectly.
First, I took out the rear seat base and backs. The hump where the seat bolts into is the highest point of the whole area, so I based the height of the support braces on that height (2 1/4" in both the front & back). I created a template from cardboard and then cut the floor out of two 2' x 4' pieces of 1/2" plywood.
I attached support braces to the bottom of the rear section and drilled holes for the two existing seat support bolts (the rear section does not move when bolted in place). I attached it to the front section with a 30" continuous hinge mounted upside down. On the front edge of that section, I attached a 1x4 perpendicularly (2 1/4" overhang on the bottom) and some 1x2's underneath to strengthen the joint. The 1x4 has enough reveal on top to keep cargo from sliding off the front.
Next I used spray glue to lay down the pad and carpet. After some tucking and stapling I was done.
Now I have a level and flat floor in the back of my MINI. I can easily lift the front section from the driver seat to hide stuff underneath. I can take the floor out and have the seats back in place in about 10 minutes...but the only time I see myself doing that is right before I sell it (if I ever do). Let me know what you think.
Jonathan in Florida
First, I took out the rear seat base and backs. The hump where the seat bolts into is the highest point of the whole area, so I based the height of the support braces on that height (2 1/4" in both the front & back). I created a template from cardboard and then cut the floor out of two 2' x 4' pieces of 1/2" plywood.
I attached support braces to the bottom of the rear section and drilled holes for the two existing seat support bolts (the rear section does not move when bolted in place). I attached it to the front section with a 30" continuous hinge mounted upside down. On the front edge of that section, I attached a 1x4 perpendicularly (2 1/4" overhang on the bottom) and some 1x2's underneath to strengthen the joint. The 1x4 has enough reveal on top to keep cargo from sliding off the front.
Next I used spray glue to lay down the pad and carpet. After some tucking and stapling I was done.
Now I have a level and flat floor in the back of my MINI. I can easily lift the front section from the driver seat to hide stuff underneath. I can take the floor out and have the seats back in place in about 10 minutes...but the only time I see myself doing that is right before I sell it (if I ever do). Let me know what you think.
Jonathan in Florida
#4
I do plan on keeping a Torx screwdriver in my jack kit in case I ever need access to the battery compartment while on the road.
#7
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#8
On the other hand, Shrader's getting $125 a pop for theirs...hmmm...
#10
#11
Not sure what a Slime kit is, but a spare tire will not fit under my floor. The deepest part of the seat indention is only 6 inches below the plywood. Keep in mind that my goal was to keep the floor as low as possible....depending on how high you set your floor, I suppose you could fit pretty much anything under there.
#15
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I've searched this site and mini2.com for examples of a totally flat (and completely level) cargo area with hidden storage underneath. I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I used ideas from the many different solutions I found to fabricate my own RSD that meets my needs perfectly.
First, I took out the rear seat base and backs. The hump where the seat bolts into is the highest point of the whole area, so I based the height of the support braces on that height (2 1/4" in both the front & back). I created a template from cardboard and then cut the floor out of two 2' x 4' pieces of 1/2" plywood.
I attached support braces to the bottom of the rear section and drilled holes for the two existing seat support bolts (the rear section does not move when bolted in place). I attached it to the front section with a 30" continuous hinge mounted upside down. On the front edge of that section, I attached a 1x4 perpendicularly (2 1/4" overhang on the bottom) and some 1x2's underneath to strengthen the joint. The 1x4 has enough reveal on top to keep cargo from sliding off the front.
Next I used spray glue to lay down the pad and carpet. After some tucking and stapling I was done.
Now I have a level and flat floor in the back of my MINI. I can easily lift the front section from the driver seat to hide stuff underneath. I can take the floor out and have the seats back in place in about 10 minutes...but the only time I see myself doing that is right before I sell it (if I ever do). Let me know what you think.
Jonathan in Florida
First, I took out the rear seat base and backs. The hump where the seat bolts into is the highest point of the whole area, so I based the height of the support braces on that height (2 1/4" in both the front & back). I created a template from cardboard and then cut the floor out of two 2' x 4' pieces of 1/2" plywood.
I attached support braces to the bottom of the rear section and drilled holes for the two existing seat support bolts (the rear section does not move when bolted in place). I attached it to the front section with a 30" continuous hinge mounted upside down. On the front edge of that section, I attached a 1x4 perpendicularly (2 1/4" overhang on the bottom) and some 1x2's underneath to strengthen the joint. The 1x4 has enough reveal on top to keep cargo from sliding off the front.
Next I used spray glue to lay down the pad and carpet. After some tucking and stapling I was done.
Now I have a level and flat floor in the back of my MINI. I can easily lift the front section from the driver seat to hide stuff underneath. I can take the floor out and have the seats back in place in about 10 minutes...but the only time I see myself doing that is right before I sell it (if I ever do). Let me know what you think.
Jonathan in Florida
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