Removing 3rd row seats - how do you fill the void?

[GregMilner]

Having just done the exercise of weighing my D4 and then calculating touring weights using Steve's brilliant spreadsheet, I'm now contemplating removing the third row seats for our next trip. But wondering what others have done to keep the flat floor, and how have you used the new space below the floor? Anyone have any photos?

[Hugh Jars]

I’ve done nothing about mine except cut some marine carpet to cover the gap left by the centre seat mount. Thinking of Drifta drawers or something like that, and using the void underneath to store stuff.

[GregMilner]

I’ve done nothing about mine except cut some marine carpet to cover the gap left by the centre seat mount. Thinking of Drifta drawers or something like that, and using the void underneath to store stuff.

Are you talking about the second row seats or the third row Hugh? I'm talking about removing the third row.

[DieselLSE]

Hi Greg,
I worked my way through this exercise a few months ago. I removed the seats and seatbelts, but retained the floor carpets to assist with sound deadening. I also retained the seat receivers (but removed the plastic bits) and used them as locating stays for the lugs of the false floor (which I made out of plastic that is stronger and lighter than MDF).
Note that my floor sits on top of the side floor panels as I needed clearance for the ARB twin compressor and the box that houses some of my winching gear.
It's still a work in progress and I plan on cutting out a section of the false floor to fit a 5 seat floor panel which is made out of carbon fibre. After this I intend replacing the MDF substitute with a carbon fibre panel (purely in the interests of weight saving).
I don't typically need access to the underfloor area. The compressor is linked to a distribution block accessed through the rhs access panel where the OEM jack used to be. The jack will be replaced shortly anyway.
So far the system works pretty well except that sometimes the stuff moves forward and lodges behind the second row seats. I'll sort this out when I make the carbon fibre floor replacement.
Hope this gives you some ideas.

[Konradical]

What are the measurements of that MDF? I'm going to remove our third row and centre seat for the Canning trip and was racking my brain as to how I will fill the void to put my draws back in

[DieselLSE]

What are the measurements of that MDF? I'm going to remove our third row and centre seat for the Canning trip and was racking my brain as to how I will fill the void to put my draws back in

L 1050, W 1030 D 12mm (equivalent to 18mm MDF I think). But if you're putting drawers back in I suspect you would want it to be at the same level as the old floor. Mine sits on top as this wasn't an issue for me and I needed the extra clearance. You could easily make up a false floor that sat on legs that would give you the correct height.

[Konradical]

L 1050, W 1030 D 12mm (equivalent to 18mm MDF I think). But if you're putting drawers back in I suspect you would want it to be at the same level as the old floor. Mine sits on top as this wasn't an issue for me and I needed the extra clearance. You could easily make up a false floor that sat on legs that would give you the correct height.

Cheers for that.. that helps me immensely!

Yeah that height is going to be a concern, but I was thinking that if I have a thin piece on top (say 5mm) and a thicker piece underneath that fits in the space, plus a couple of legs, it should be strong enough to support the draws.

I'm not really looking to use that space as I won't have easy access to it with two car seats in the back, but I would use it to put the things that aren't important, but just in case.

Il have a hunt on the net tonight and see what I can get in Darwin during our weekend trip this week.

[DieselLSE]

Konradical, I'm not sure why you need such a strong floor? Do the drawers have a floor or do they use the carpet as a floor? If they come with a floor, then all you need to do is come up with a frame (aluminium would work) to support it.

[Hugh Jars]

Hi Greg,
I removed the 3rd row as per DieselSE. I reckon they weigh around 60kg! I put the second row in the fully down position to get the most load space. My car is a ‘works in progress’

[LRD414]

I reckon they weigh around 60kg

Actually they are between 40-45kg, I've weighed two sets on removal.
They are awkward to carry & weigh but certainly no more than 45kg.

As I have a set of rear drawers the brackets I've made help support the drawer unit but would also work to support a false floor.
Easy to remove so as to refit the seats, which are only removed temporarily for trips.



I couldn't use all the original seat bolts, two were too short so replaced with longer standard M10 bolts.
You do want to refit all bolts because some of the holes are exposed through to the outside world & would let dust in.

The dowels in the photo below add strength at the corners of the drawer unit where it bears down on the carpeted side pieces.





The bracket towards front of vehicle is also providing some restraint for the second row platform.
Second row seats only removed specifically for trips when extra fuel and water is being carried.





Cheers,
Scott