40L Fridge centre of middle row seats

[shamirj]

hi all,

Just thinking of removing my rear mounted fridge 40L from cargo area as it sits too high and blocks some of my rear view above the drawers. So wondering whether its possible to just remove the base of the middle row centre seat leaving the seat back to mount the fridge centre and down low, will give me and my passenger access from the front seat and access for rear passengers as well when on the move. So my question is, is the centre seat in the middle row two piece (seat base + seat back) or is it one piece. thanks

[shanegtr]

Its one piece in my D3- I've removed mine so the kids in the 3rd row can have easier access (2nd row seats both have child seats installed so filpping it up all the time isnt an option). When travelling I throw my 40L waceo in there - its bloody akward to get out again[thumbsupbig]

[discomatt69]

I have removed the second and third row seats, bolted some ply board over the carpet using the seat mount nuts to give a flat surface and protect the carpet and underlay in the second row spot. 110 a/h thumper battery and oven on the drivers side and our 45l evacool fridge on the passanger side.
I also built a frame with false sliding and hinged floor over the rear section to create underfloor storage and a flat floor with tie down points for rear storage.
Works a treat and with the fridge, battery, oven and new flooring its roughly the same weight as the seats I removed.

[D4Jono]

Saw this on overlandbound website a while ago

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I'm not sure how hot it would get in the back particularly if you were sat next to it

[kenl]

That is exactly where my fridge is mounted, I have removed the middle second row seat and bolted a plywood panel in with slide in mounts for the engle, not sure of the real name for the mount.

It's ok when the rear seat are rarely used but does make them feel a bit more confined for sitting back there, great for access to the fridge from the front seat.

[AGRO]

Hi,

I have replaced the middle second row seat with my Engel.

Seat similar weight to the fridge.

Fridge accessible from the front seats and the two second row seats.

4 x seat bolts replaced with eyebolts and secured with s/s turnbuckles.

Noise and heat minimal.

All good

[PerthDisco]

Hi,

I have replaced the middle second row seat with my Engel.

Seat similar weight to the fridge.

Fridge accessible from the front seats and the two second row seats.

4 x seat bolts replaced with eyebolts and secured with s/s turnbuckles.

Noise and heat minimal.

All good

Similar to my setup however under the carpet is ventilation ducting you squish down on when securing the fridge.

I was thinking if you used some threaded rod into the seat fixing holes you could then float a plywood base on washers and nuts just off the floor. Finished off with female eye bolts for the tie down.

[Aussie Jeepster]

Post 8 here
NAS LR3 build with an overseas twist | Expedition Portal (https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/nas-lr3-build-with-an-overseas-twist.143540/)
will give details, and its a great thread too.
You might need to register.

[shamirj]

attached is the pic with changes installed
needed to remove 6 bolts with funny head (not allen head but multiple angled head) came out easily enough very heavy though, thought the seat might of been lighter. waeco 40L installed, perfect fit really, sits flush with the seats and at a good height, can access fridge from all 4 seats (i tried accessing), much easier to use on the run, important to me was the view of the rear - fridge does not impede by view anymore so wrapped. no drop slide needed (extra cost and weight) and no more runners to slide out the back either. in a fixed position with eyelets i had using existing seat holes. we hardly use the back seats much anymore anyway at most one other person. cheers

[BMKal]

attached is the pic with changes installed
needed to remove 6 bolts with funny head (not allen head but multiple angled head) came out easily enough very heavy though, thought the seat might of been lighter. waeco 40L installed, perfect fit really, sits flush with the seats and at a good height, can access fridge from all 4 seats (i tried accessing), much easier to use on the run, important to me was the view of the rear - fridge does not impede by view anymore so wrapped. no drop slide needed (extra cost and weight) and no more runners to slide out the back either. in a fixed position with eyelets i had using existing seat holes. we hardly use the back seats much anymore anyway at most one other person. cheers

That looks great. You are definitely giving me ideas. [thumbsupbig]

[Aussie Jeepster]

attached is the pic with changes installed
needed to remove 6 bolts with funny head (not allen head but multiple angled head) came out easily enough very heavy though, thought the seat might of been lighter. waeco 40L installed, perfect fit really, sits flush with the seats and at a good height, can access fridge from all 4 seats (i tried accessing), much easier to use on the run, important to me was the view of the rear - fridge does not impede by view anymore so wrapped. no drop slide needed (extra cost and weight) and no more runners to slide out the back either. in a fixed position with eyelets i had using existing seat holes. we hardly use the back seats much anymore anyway at most one other person. cheers

How is the height of the fridge when you put the seat backs down?
Does it fluke it, and they are all the same height, or are the seat backs a little lower or higher?

[Redback]

Exactly where ours was for our Kimberley trip.

Baz.

[shamirj]

pretty flat with seat back down, see pics

[ndrew]

We're off to the Flinders shortly; your post inspired me to do the same. It usually sits on top of the drawers in the back, which is so high you can't fully open the lid (enough to reach in for a beer, but that's about it). One day I'll shell out for a drop slide, but that wasn't going to be in time for this trip. The Speaker of the House had made noises about difficult access, so I took the middle seat out this afternoon.

Not a difficult job by any stretch, but you'd want to have a half-decent sized wrench to loosen the bolts. They're M10 T45 or 47 by the looks. Came out without too much worry. I happened to have some spare Rhino-Rack eye bolts lying around which also have an M10 thread – screwed them straight into the factory holes and dropped the fridge in. 1000 times more convenient!

Photos show how the 40L Engel it sits in the Discovery 3 (a good 200mm above seat height) and a close-up of the M10 eye bolts attached to the floor. I'm pretty happy with it. Thanks for the tip!

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[Aussie Jeepster]

Mine went in today - took about an hour.
Fits like a glove and WAY lighter than the seat I took out.
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[Ean Austral]

Mine went in today - took about an hour.
Fits like a glove and WAY lighter than the seat I took out.
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looks good.. the storage things on the back of the front seats - are they MSA ? if not do you have a link to where you got them .

Cheers Ean

[Aussie Jeepster]

looks good.. the storage things on the back of the front seats - are they MSA ? if not do you have a link to where you got them .

Cheers Ean

I picked up 2 of them when I was in the US in Feb.

MOLLE Seat Back Panel — Wilde Custom Gear | Tactical Nylon | Built For Battle (http://www.wildecustomgear.com/store/molle-seat-back-panel)

They do ship to Oz if you ask.
I've always loved Molle gear - it is incredibly versatile, and if you get the right stuff, it can be bulletproof - almost literally!!!!!!

[GregMilner]

Seems like the middle row centre fridge idea is a thing...just did it this afternoon, easy as (after buying the required Torx socket set from Bunnings).
much easier access to the fridge, moves weight forward, easy access from the front seats. All good...just replace the M10 seat bolts with M10 eye bolts for tie-down straps and job done. 30 minutes all up.

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[Eric SDV6SE]

Great idea, we still use our 2nd row and 3rd row seats, but I love the practicality of having the fridge there. Do you need to mount a flat base or does the fridge just land on the floor pan?

Also I’m assuming the 12v socket in the centre console is now the power source?

Ive got a 65l fridge / freezer (Ironman 4x4 with danfoss compressor) not sure if that would fit, I’ll have to take some measurements and see.

[Turtle60]

We placed a waeco cfx38 in there that comes with a base Mount so makes it pretty sturdy. The only drama we found in all this is powering it up. I ran a “power all the time” merit plug in the the back off the second battery. Works well. if this is your primary source of refrigerstion along then with the constant opening and closing of doors and subsequent waking up of the disco could be A battery issue if you only have the one battery. In saying that the the disco will shut down after two minutes So while the battery is preserved your fridge will shut down.