That won't change a squeeky hatch...it is a nice ornament though.

 

As others have done, I drove my car for over a year with the back seats down. I put a piece of dense foam on the seat belt recepticle, and that minimized/eliminated the leather impression phenomenon.

Several months ago I installed an AutoPower roll bar that still allowed a gymnast/contortionist to get in the back seat. Well, none of the people I know would ever try that maneuver. So, I removed the back seats, as well as mounting hardware except the attachment points for my Schroth harnesses. The roll bar set-up increased weight by about 50 lb, while removal of the rear seat base and backs reduced weight by about 49 lb. The only downside is the increased exhaust note . This is great when accelerating in a tunnel or under a freeway overpass; but when I want a bit quieter ride, I'll put a blanket in the rear floor area. My next project is to build a light weight platform to cover the open area. I'll try to get some covering similar to that lining the floor of the boot, and will also put some foam on the underside to help baffle the exhaust note. This shelf or platform should substantially improve aesthetics .

 

I keep them up to hide the stuff in the boot.

But the exhaust does sound better with them down!

regards,
Red

 

and this brings up a question i have -- i also have 2 dogs and was wondering if they would fit with the seats down -- you dont have any problems ??

 

While were at it I have a tip for those of us that put the rear seats up & down as needed. I found that the seat belts kept getting caught in the seat latch area. So, I used an old aviation trick of connecting seat belts into their recievers when not in use - it worked great! Now the seat belts don't get caught and they work as something to grab on to when you reach in from the rear to raise them.

 

Thanks for the great suggestion Chris! I'll do that from now on when I plan to fold the rear seats down! Cool!


Clover

 

:smile: Peep, YuccaPatrol puts his St. Bernard in the back of his MCS, and has room for at least another dog. Hope this reassures you! :smile:

Clover

 

I use another car for transporting my dogs. :smile:

 

really? cool -- thanks MINIclo :smile:

mine are not that big -- i have an aussie and a basenji -- and would love it if they could have more room then they do now in my Jeep.

 

That's funny, my "dog car" is a Jeep Wrangler! I have an American Bull dog & a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Those white hairs on the Bull dog don't let go of the interior carpet.

 

Man in that last picture my arm looks like a gorilla wearing a wrist watch!

 

Tee hee! I think it looks red and fuzzy and cute!

Clover

 

I'm a surfer! My arm is as dark as a Miller Lite bottle. The flash didn't do me any favors...

 

Surfers rule!


Clover

 

Only rarely do I have the seats in the up position. Also, the car doesn't exhibit rear rattles with the seats down and the parcel shelf removed. I don't like the rear headrests blocking the view to the rear, but I have left the parcel shelf in place to obscure things sometimes. I find the shelf rattles by itself.

 

I ushually NEED to leave them up to block direct Texas sun from heating up the nitrous bottle too much...would'nt be a good thing if it burst the saftey disk while your in the car.

 

I've had 3 dogs - a german shepard, a fat husky and my border collie mutt all the in the car at the same time... while the seats were UP Plus I had a passenger in the front seat. Theres MORE than enough room :smile:

 

ASK YOURSELF THIS, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME I HAD SOMEONE IN THE BACK SEAT? If the answer is " I cant remember" take the da#@ things out!!! this is not rocket science, if you need them, Put THEM BACK...!!!!!!! :impatient :impatient :impatient When my car needs gas I fill it up, the rest of the time ,I enjoy the drive...!!!

 

That also keeps the seat belt buckels from scratching the side panels. I do this in my Civic and everyone asks me why.

 

I like my Cooper's rear seats down because it allows my dog to look out and about when he rides with me [which is often]. If the seats were up, then he would have to stand up to see out and that could end up scratching the tinted windows. Besides, Matt sold me his rear seat mat last year so I can haul more stuff that might scratch/tear the seats, so now all I do is to put a Big Lots oversized cushion in on top of it for the pooch and awayyyyyyyyyy we go! The only down side is, man, are my inside windows ever dog-slobbered!

 

Perhaps we need a poll.

Back seats up for me...my passengers are people more often than cargo. I also do like to keep my boot semi-private for permanent or temporary storage of stuff. (OKAY!!! I'm embarassed to let passers-by see how many detailing goodies I have in the boot. There..........my, I feel much better. )