False floor options after rear seat removal?

[BSM]

So i've removed the 75kg of rarely used deadweight from the rear of the D3.

I now have easy access to the spare wheel which winder, somewhat more cargo bay capacity and some extremely useful footwells behind the second row of seats for storing heavy items (such as a hand winch). Nice and low and toward the middle of the car.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=87089&stc=1&d=1416115656

The only problem with this configuration is that moving items like fridges/eskies out requires lifting it up over the lip to get it onto the tailgate. I just can't drag it in and out like before.

So I'm thinking if building a false floor out of form-ply. It needs to have a hatch toward the rear to enable access to the spare wheel winch winder and I'm thinking that it either finishes short of the footwells so that they can still be utilised, or put a hatch at the footwell area too.

What wonderful creations have the AULRO members some up with to date? Anything to be wary of?
87089

[letherm]

There have been previous threads about this that may be helpful. One thing I recall is some discussion about getting this authorised by the transport body of your state (RMS here in NSW apparently not fussed about it so ok here).

Martin

[LeighW]

Hi BSM, have a look at the floor in a five-seater if you can. It has the same metal flooring but with a built up floor that has a hinged rear part that lifts up to reveal tools, etc. as well as the all important access to the spare wheel winder.

I fitted a home made false floor to my five-seater that slides rearward and can carry up to 200 kg using Haefele sliders. If you're interested I'll locate and post photos here.

For information, it is made of 18 mm form ply (very heavy) and finished in a durable carpet that matches the original with the edges finished with flat aluminium strip. The whole lot is bolted to the hold down points and I have fitted a cargo barrier to retain loose objects if the driving gets scary. (Read 4wd off road)

Also half of the floating floor is hinged so that access is not denied to the sub-floor area.

HTH

[BSM]

There have been previous threads about this that may be helpful. One thing I recall is some discussion about getting this authorised by the transport body of your state (RMS here in NSW apparently not fussed about it so ok here).

Martin
Thanks Martin,

I have check with VicRoads. All good (https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/vehicle-modifications-and-defects/vehicle-modifications/removing-adding-and-replacing-seats)

[BSM]

I fitted a home made false floor to my five-seater that slides rearward and can carry up to 200 kg using Haefele sliders. If you're interested I'll locate and post photos here.

HTH
Most interested indeed.

[Redback]

We made our own;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/DSC00177_zps324e60dc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/DSC00177_zps324e60dc.jpg.html)

TO

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/DSC00180_zpsb8393d29.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bazzar/media/DSC00180_zpsb8393d29.jpg.html)

Baz.

[BSM]

We made our own;

Baz.

Looks great Baz. Is it just one piece? How do you access the spare wheel winder?

[Redback]

Looks great Baz. Is it just one piece? How do you access the spare wheel winder?

Yes one piece of 15mm ply and don't have the spare under the car anymore, so no need for access, but it would be no trouble to make an access hole.

Baz.

[wbowner]

Hi,
How are you supporting the floor to make it level with side.

Rich

[stray dingo]

I got the rubber boot liner thing when I got the car and used that as a template. So unlike Baz's, mine is supported on the side 'wing' floor pieces, neatly notched around the trims and seatbelts. I've removed the tiedowns and bolted the floor to the original tie down bolt holes. The cargo barrier is then bolted to the floor. A small liftup panel infront of the tail gate gets me my storage space under. (However, unlike the rubber mat, it doesn't fold up when putting it in the car, so a couple of corners had to be trimmed to get it to slide in)
Additional support is just timber under. (stops bowing with the fridge sitting on top.
Sorry can't take any pics for a few days as it's sitting at MLR waiting for a new turbo pipe from the UK.

[Nomad9]

Hi BSM,
I did the same as Baz in my RRS basically the same as the D3, however I cut an oblong out on the R/H side and put a lid for a compartment under the false floor, under here I stored spare filters, belts, a snatch strap, air filters, oil filters, I got a neat fitting cutlery tray from Ikea and put a range of tools under the false floor as well, wrapped in non slip cloth they never rattled. I put an extra strengthening brace down the centre and a steel angle iron brace at the front.

The support for the oblong lid also gave extra strength to the false floor.
Cutting the oblong out gave me access to the spare wheel winder, I used the tie down points for the brackets to hold everything in place. Made the false floor easily removable.

I have attached a picture, hope you can see what you want to see.

[LeighW]

Most interested indeed.

Hey BSM this is mine on DISCO3.CO.UK My (home made) Sliding Loadspace (http://disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1001)

HTH

[Redback]

Hi,
How are you supporting the floor to make it level with side.

Rich

There's support from the centre, in the top photo next to my Missus hand is a post, the other support is the corner edges of the hole, and it's perfect for 15mm ply;)

Baz.

[BSM]

Hi BSM,
I did the same as Baz in my RRS basically the same as the D3, however I cut an oblong out on the R/H side and put a lid for a compartment under the false floor, under here I stored spare filters, belts, a snatch strap, air filters, oil filters...

I have attached a picture, hope you can see what you want to see.

Very neat!

[BSM]

Hey BSM this is mine on DISCO3.CO.UK My (home made) Sliding Loadspace (http://disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1001)

HTH
All I can say is wow.

[BSM]

So after taking inspiration from the various members of this forum, I have now constructed my own rear cargo floor after having removed the rear seats.

I wanted my build to allow for access to the spare wheel winder, plus I wanted to be able to make good use of the valuable footwell space behind the second row of seats. here's what I did.

Firstly I removed the sides panels and made up some cross members from slotted angle steel and 2 mm flat and bolted them in.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=88634&stc=1&d=1419070862

Then I cut some 12mm ply to shape with cut outs for the doors. The protrusion on the panel at the front is designed to rest on the central support for the rear seats, giving a firmer base.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=88635&stc=1&d=1419070894

Here's the (almost) finished job. I got some captive nuts from super cheap which fit into the slots on the angle nicely, so the top panel can be bolted down from the top. makes for easy removal later.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=88636&stc=1&d=1419070918

Here the flap is open that gives access to the spare wheel winder.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=88637&stc=1&d=1419070941

Here's the front flap open that gives access to the footwell. Notice the 10mm pad-bolts on the right and left. These line up with the rear seat locking latches to both give extra support for the flap and to lock it down and keep the footwell contents secure.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=88638&stc=1&d=1419070990

I still want to attach extra tie down points to this (for a fridge), and I haven't tried it in the rough as yet, but I'm happy so far.

[LeighW]

Well done BSM.

[wbowner]

BSM
Looks great.

Are you going to have a fridge and/or shelves. If so how will you access the flap with the spare wheel winder.

I also store a lot of stuff u dear my back seats. My D4 was a 5 seater and there is a lot of room there. Not sure if different to 5 seater. Normally easy access, just flip the seat up.
Rich

[BSM]

BSM
Looks great.

Are you going to have a fridge and/or shelves. If so how will you access the flap with the spare wheel winder.

I also store a lot of stuff u dear my back seats. My D4 was a 5 seater and there is a lot of room there. Not sure if different to 5 seater. Normally easy access, just flip the seat up.
Rich

Thanks Rich, I don't plan on having shelves, as they'd obviously stop the spare winder flap from opening. My fridge is a smallish 45l Aldi job, and it fits in without impeding the spare flap. I'm taking the low-tech approach with the fridge for the time being, and just manhandling it. I may make up a slide, but frankly I don't know if that will still allow the acces to open.

The two big wins as far as I'm concerned is that I don't have to completely unload the rear cargo bay to change a tyre now, plus I've saved probably 65kg of weight. :D