Rear seat removal mod

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

People are "sheep" because they think it's sort of dumb to strip the interior out of a $40k car?

Hell, why stop at the seats? Pull the door panels off, and the headliner. Carpet? Who needs that stuff?! Scrap all that plastic trim around the console as well!

the difference is you're not 'stripping' the car. You're removing the back seat. it's an easy re-install and depending on what you use the car for, does not change the functionality of the car in any real fashion.

Putting it back together again would be rather simple and easy, all for a nice 60 lb gain. Compared to everything else that is being thrown around in the sarcastic fashion....that only adds up to several pounds, and would require much more effort to re-install.

Also as someone else mentioned, it keeps the rear seats in generally better shape too.

[Mike01ci]

I am not trying to hate here at all, it is your car do whatever you like.... That being said, have we verified the actual weight of the back seat to be 60lbs or are we just estimating?

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Freakazoid

the difference is you're not 'stripping' the car. You're removing the back seat. it's an easy re-install and depending on what you use the car for, does not change the functionality of the car in any real fashion.

Putting it back together again would be rather simple and easy, all for a nice 60 lb gain. Compared to everything else that is being thrown around in the sarcastic fashion....that only adds up to several pounds, and would require much more effort to re-install.

Also as someone else mentioned, it keeps the rear seats in generally better shape too.

It's your car, do what you want with it, but going around calling people "sheep" because they don't think the weight savings justify making a daily driver look like it's missing parts.

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

It's your car, do what you want with it, but going around calling people "sheep" because they don't think the weight savings justify making a daily driver look like it's missing parts.

fair enough, I can understand that then

[Eyeman]

It's funny that this thread took off again.

This mod keeps paying dividends for me. Recently I bought a 42" TV and it would not have fit in my car without removing it from the box or without if the back seat had still been installed. It might have fit if only the bottom cushion was removed.

I still have not have any need for my backseat since removal. The seatback is where all the weight is at. The biggest issue for me to reinstall would be unstoring it. I packed it up nicely in a box. If you just left it under your bed or something similar then reinstall should take 30mins or so. The only thing that is difficult is getting to the center bracket of the hinge. If I were reinstalling temporarily I'd try it with just the two outer parts of the bracket reinstalled. That would probably cut the reinstall to 20 mins or so.

My rear is still usable for seating. I'd have no problem sitting back there for a 20min trip or so.

BRRacing has a cage/harness setup available for our cars. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...light=brracing

[OneThirtyFiveEye]

My biggest issue with this mod is the safety aspect. That thin material you used to block off the back will not keep you safe at all and it can be very dangerous for you in case of an accident. It'll be even more dangerous for the passengers you carry in the back "seat" if you get into an accident. Back seats are designed to offer protection to the passengers from heavy items kept in the trunk.

[plasar]

I was a hater of this mod in theory until I saw the pics from earlier in the thread...

Pics

This looks fine. I was imagining raw plywood, pink shag carpeting, or a leopard print spooge blanket.

Nice job Eyeman! (Now GT3 that bad boy with the roll cage...)

[raiyo]

Originally Posted by Eyeman

Looks good. Any pics of the inside on how you secure the panel?

[Eyeman]

The panel fits fairly tight and probably would stay by itself. I put a wood screw into each side to further tighten the fit. My spare still has to be secured, even if secured better, this panel is very thin and might not stop a flying spare.

[cadeucsb]

out of curiosity, why save 60lbs on the seat, but add 30lbs back with the spare rather than running a BMW or Continental Mobility kit?

[Eyeman]

I didn't feel comfortable without a spare/jack, etc, even with runflats. I have a mobility kit and can leave the spare at home when I feel like it.

[Irishace]

Executing this mod for racing, wish me luck

[pixelblue]

you can shave another 100 lbs with a racing battery and racing seats and another 60 lbs for light wheels and tires. all and all a great way to shed 200 or so lbs and go superleggera but if you are not tracking the car regularly then it's kind of ridiculous. btw, good job and looks clean.

[strati1]

hmmm im glad you made your car ugly for 60lbs.....maybe you should have just found a skinnier girlfriend?

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by strati1

hmmm im glad you made your car ugly for 60lbs.....maybe you should have just found a skinnier girlfriend?

read your post.. what's with all the animosity towards the OP?

[Eyeman]

Irishace, take us some pics when you get done. I'm interested to see how it looks with other color exterior paint and interiors.

[mryakanisachoad]

i have no idea what i'm talking about but you might want to do some research to see if your insurance company approves of this modification.

my guess is that in a serious accident you could face some serious problems...

[mryakanisachoad]

Originally Posted by OneThirtyFiveEye

My biggest issue with this mod is the safety aspect. That thin material you used to block off the back will not keep you safe at all and it can be very dangerous for you in case of an accident. It'll be even more dangerous for the passengers you carry in the back "seat" if you get into an accident. Back seats are designed to offer protection to the passengers from heavy items kept in the trunk.

the back seats also "protect" the gas tank.

in new york, your vehicle would now be considered a commercial vehicle subject to all regulations of such vehicle.

but, we have lots of regulations in new york. too many. way too many.

[SCMike]

Originally Posted by Eyeman

BlackJack, the seats are probably the same and we are both mis-estimating.

........ Strange enough I've had many people lay in the back of 240Z's and Vettes that I had in the past, even hauled someone a short distance in the trunk of my 968.......

Hey, I resemble that remark! Way back when much younger, I (vaguely) remember folding up under the rear glass of a 260Z for a trip across D.C., as the three of us were returning to the hotel from a restaurant (lots of wine). Though I am not a mods sort of guy, I have enjoyed reading this thread and following your unfailing sense of humor in dealing with all the chicken littles. Mod on!

[Rasperin]

Curious, did you follow some instructions or just figure it out as you went along? I have need for my back seats but I'd love to pull them out for a track event coming this Wednesday. Do you happen to have instructions?

[bluephobic(1)]

kinda off yopic but has anyone else figured out that when you lay the rear seats down and have an empty trunk it makes a nice place to "rest" for 2 adults under 6' tall :P

[e82n54]

Eyeman, can you explain how to remove the side pads under the seat belts? I tried pulling fairly hard, but they didn't pop out. They just seemed to bend so I didn't force them. Thanks!