DIY Rear Seat Delete
 

Not much to this, but I figured I would share the rear seat delete I made. I'm not a big fan of the options out there to buy one, and I had some left over carpet from making a subwoofer box so I figured I would just make something. I would like to point out, however, that if you are autocrossing in the STX class that this is not permitted in that class. So really this was a waste of time on my part, but I at least want to share what I did since it was relatively easy and extremely inexpensive.

I first made a template out of cardboard. There was a lot of trial and error in the fitment of everything, so I just cut away little bits at a time until it fit in there nicely.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psmacbrpwb.jpg

The piece of cardboard I used wasn't wide enough, so I used this template to make another one that was a little bigger. When you are cutting it away, make sure you cut a little extra away to make room for the thickness of the carpet to wrap around, otherwise it will be too tight.

Here's where you can go one of two ways. I chose to use cardboard as my actual backing material, but I feel like there are better options out there at a hardware store of fabric store. It would be nice to match up similar backing to what the trunk uses.

Once you get the template the way you like it you can start gluing the carpet to it. I got the carpet at a local car audio shop (Columbus Car Audio) for roughly $20. Cut out the carpet about 3 inches out from the edge of the template. I then used 3M Super77 spray adhesive and sprayed just the cardboard side and let it sit for a moment. I then laid the carpet over the cardboard, starting at one side and working my way across making sure there's no bubbles. You can pretty much put all the carpet on when it's flat, but I made sure to bend the back part as I laid the carpet so it wouldn't be too tight.

I then flipped it over and cut reliefs at every corner so I could fold it around and not overlap anywhere. I then sprayed the edge with more spray adhesive (make sure you don't hit the carpet too hard or it will bleed through) and then just folded it around.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...pswhrczeje.jpg

After that, you're pretty much done! Take the back seats out and then just drop this in. It's not perfect, but sure beats paying a bunch of money for a kit. I realized groceries or anything else I put in the trunk would come flying at me, so I bought a cargo net from a motorcycle shop to keep things where they're at. Here's the finished product:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psgouivvdm.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps3v7aodl7.jpg

I'm planning to keep mine for if I move up a class or take it drag racing, but anyone in the Columbus Ohio area is more than welcome to stop by and trace my template if they want to make their own.

For cardboard that came out really nice

Thanks! My thinking is that I can easily pull the carpet off if I find a better backing material.

Agreed it looks super good.:confused0068:

That's pretty good looking, I may have to try this.

Maybe alcantara?

You should write the dimensions on one of the pictures :)

damn.. that's brilliant.

My only gripe is that center drive shaft channel running through. I've got a doberman girl who rides in the back a bunch and I'd love to have that section level and cushioned with like memory foam or something.

Inspiring stuff!!

Nicely deleted. Any extra road noise? I had the seat down and the back full, but didn't really notice any increase in road noise.

It would need to be something that is somewhat stiff. Alcantara would be great to cover it with, though. I found the perfect stuff in my back warehouse that is acoustical backing for cubicle panels. It's like a fibrous material but semi stiff. I'll have to see if I can find a name for the stuff.

I have it out of my car now so it wouldn't be too hard to get some dimensions for everyone.

I'm almost wondering if you can use thin wood or luan sheeting or something. It might be a little heavier but then you could put a little padding and that puppy would be happy! That's half of why I put this up here. The design isn't perfect, but it's enough to get people out in the garage and make their own with whatever materials suit them best.

Yes, but really only more muffler noise because the rear seat is down and exposed to the trunk. I've got just a borla UEL header on stock exhaust and the added noise from this almost made me content enough with the sound the car makes. Almost...