DIY my version Rear Seat Delete ~$60 Weight Reduction 27.5 lbs

[SuperTom]

Here is my version of a homemade rear seat delete for much cheaper than the vendors sell with parts from Homedepot, Pepboys. Total weight loss 27.5lbs


Parts needed:
Large Pieces of cardboard leftover from racing seat boxes - Free
Chloroplast Sheets homedepot 1 large, 2 small - $20
3m Spray Adhesive - $10
Large Black roll of carpet from Pepboys - $30
Larger/Longer press clips things Pepboys - $3
Sockets set - get your own or borrow from neighbor with beer


In usual fashion I start by weighing everything taken out since the purpose of this is weight reduction.


Everything out pic



Seat back ~14.25 lbs



Seat bottoms 4.25lbs each for total of 8.5lbs



Seatbelt equip/ brackets/ bolts 11.25lbs



Total weight removed 34lbs


Can't say I came up with this myself there was another forum member who made his out of cardboard. My version will be backed with a layer of chloroplast lightweight sheets from HD to get a more solid yet lightweight structure.


Cardboard Template


Mating up with trunk connection points



Adding the chloroplast sheets over the cardboard using the spray adheasive



Covering everthing with the carpet



All the pieces being weighted got 2 cheap pillows from Walmart to use as a cheap lightweight sound deadening for each seat bottom area. 6.5lbs going back in the car. Net weight loss 27.5 lbs



First install you can see the area where the carboard flexing got wrinkly this is unacceptable. Also the top shelf was not clipped down tight enough either



Made a piece with remaining chloroplast to fill in that area



kit uses the stock mounting bolts too



Final Shot

[SuperTom]

Also ordered some resistors and am going to take out the rear roof airbags since no one would be sitting back there. Should give me back some of the weight I added in with the kit.

[JazzleSAURUS]

The exposed fasteners is 100% what has kept me from doing this.

I imagine a velcro installed trim piece, or those interior fasteners that are fixed to the plate would dress up this otherwise awesome DIY really nicely.

[Slammillionaire]

Thanks for the writeup! Might try this

[SuperTom]

Originally Posted by Slammillionaire

Thanks for the writeup! Might try this

Thanks for the thanks!

[JoeC]

I appreciate what you're trying to do here (I love doing DIY projects) but there's no way I'd be satisfied with that in my car. It looks like a nice prototype

Are you able to load stuff where the seats used? It seems like it would be pretty flimsy and just collapse in.

Does it lay down flat so you can load larger items into the car?

not trying to be negative, I've thought about doing something similar it just seems like you've made the interior less attractive and less functional (unless adding lightness is your top priority)

[SuperTom]

Originally Posted by JoeC

I appreciate what you're trying to do here (I love doing DIY projects) but there's no way I'd be satisfied with that in my car. It looks like a nice prototype

Are you able to load stuff where the seats used? It seems like it would be pretty flimsy and just collapse in.

Does it lay down flat so you can load larger items into the car?

not trying to be negative, I've thought about doing something similar it just seems like you've made the interior less attractive and less functional (unless adding lightness is your top priority)

Weight reduction is the #1 priority in life so not worried about functionality. I thought that was clear by my obsession with weighing everything.
Actually with the chloroplast is stronger than you think I was accidentally leaning into it when bolting in roof covers the and it would bend but not break. It would bend right back into shape
A simple wood brace underneath and it could hold weight if that's what you want to hold a wheel or something without adding too much more weight. I have an old Cherokee to haul sh*t around.
Its way more attractive than just having the seats removed and bare metal showing and the interior sound levels are back to normal.

[why?]

I really was surprised at how much extra noise taking everything out of the rear and the trunk added, but it is worth it. Bare metal is the best decoration for me.

[Tomita San]

Originally Posted by SuperTom

Also ordered some resistors and am going to take out the rear roof airbags since no one would be sitting back there. Should give me back some of the weight I added in with the kit.

There is no "rear roof airbag". It´s a one piece side curtain airbag front to back. You either take it out completely or not

[SuperTom]

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

The exposed fasteners is 100% what has kept me from doing this.

I imagine a velcro installed trim piece, or those interior fasteners that are fixed to the plate would dress up this otherwise awesome DIY really nicely.

Yeah I have the kit tucked under the rear decklid. The rear decklid snapped down is really whats holding the kit into place. BUT the rear decklid already has holes for fasteners, so the fasteners are really to cover the holes not to hold it in place. So yeah A trim piece could cover it, or recovering the decklid with carpet to cover over the holes. Its not bothering me as much as you but I will take a look next time I'm in the Depot.

[SuperTom]

Originally Posted by why?

I really was surprised at how much extra noise taking everything out of the rear and the trunk added, but it is worth it. Bare metal is the best decoration for me.

Hardcore man! I drove a few days bare and you could hear rain splashing up and some noise but not as bad as people make it. Anyway this with pillows shoved underneath brings it back to stock quietness.

[why?]

Originally Posted by SuperTom

Hardcore man! I drove a few days bare and you could hear rain splashing up and some noise but not as bad as people make it. Anyway this with pillows shoved underneath brings it back to stock quietness.

I think it really is the shape or something weird with this car. My Yaris when I removed everything behind the front seats was not really loud at all. It was quiet enough that I could occasionally hear the gas splashing around in the tank.

[LudwigMiles]

How often do you track your car, bro?
Seems like you're shaving 1/10s before hitting the gym.
What kind of tires do you run?

[SuperTom]

Originally Posted by LudwigMiles

How often do you track your car, bro?
Seems like you're shaving 1/10s before hitting the gym.
What kind of tires do you run?

Have tracked the Vette but not this yet want it light as possible before going. Already down ~170lbs and that's good.
on stock size but a bit grippier hankook evos on lightweight 17x8 konig hypergrams