Interior 2nd Gen Rear Seat Delete

By all means do it

The back seat is basically worthless unless you have a family of munchkins

Not to say we buy these cars for the hauling space but it makes what little we have much more accessible

Tip-Find yourself a good upholstery shop as the kit comes uncarpeted

From the Hindsight Dept - Get the model with the racing harness kit, you never know!

 

I just went back to having seats. I had the rear seat delete for probably about a year and a half. One thing you need to consider is noise. The car is a lot louder with the seats out, I even put in some sound deadening under the RSD, but it was still noisy.

The weight saving is relevant if you track the car, but then it only takes 5-10 minutes to pull the seats out. Of course you may have other considerations. I originally put in the RSD so I can have my dog in the car and not have him ruin the leather. I no longer needed that option, so back went the seats.

 

I am not sure the total is 36lbs I personally just needed the extra room for other MINI necessary equipment!

 

Too true on the added road noise. I just don't really think about it. I am reminded when I drive my wifes. It's not huge but it is more noise

If you do this route the sound deadener is the way to go

Also keep in mind that there are different sound deadeners. Some are designed for door panels and some are for the floor of the car.

 

Jim....
It'll sure be easier to throw that bale of hay in the MINI for the horses.

 

AND the Hay will be extra sound deadner!

 

If you ever change from OEM exhaust and you don't have the rear seats it will definitely be louder. Also for me there are many times when I toss a bag or coat or something valuble in the very back and have the parcel shelf to hide it. With the seats deleted you won't have any place to put anything secure.

Alternatively most North Americans could stand to loose 30 lbs ;-)

 

Jim you are such a funny guy!

I think the added in after the out was about 130lbs?

The is actually more to the not area not seen. The battery is removed to allow for a straight exhaust system now so here is the new battery under the amps. I save 44lbs with this. So 130-44 I gained 86lbs with the rear delete. :lol:

But replacing the front seat with the new once 68 x 2= 136-86= I saved 50lbs in all just from removing the rear seats..... ut:




This is the sound material I installed in the boot area after removing the factory battery box.

 

I too tried the RSD and found it way to loud for highway driving and I only have the one-ball. Went back to the seats even though they are never used. I also liked having the privacy for items in the boot.

I don't think the weight savings is anywhere near 36 lbs, probably closer to 20-25 as they are mostly foam.

 

Think the backs and seat bottom is close to 40 pounds. Do the same thing, leave them in for day to day driving and pop them out for track days and fun runs in the twisties ... Doesn't take but just a few minutes to remove them or install them and combine that with a battery change to a Braille or similar and you have taken a nice junk of weight out...

 

Jim:

I built a rear seat delete kit out of half inch marine plywood after having the plastic one in for several months. I cut out some cardboard templates and went to work on a half sheet of plywood until the thing fit fairly well (I left clearance all the way around for carpet). I also used the other half sheet to make a "seat back" replacement - same plan - cardboard templates and then fit, fit, fit. With the seat back, I can put in that stock boot cover and hide stuff, and that setup keeps it quiet.

I also cut out little doors in the "seat bottom" part. Two 12" by 6" doors over the two "fanny areas" to access storage, and one over the seat belt receptacles in the middle so I can attach my Schroth harnesses. The carpet guy made me scrap the hinges I was using, and so I now use cabinet magnets to hold them on.

The carpeting must act as sound deadening, because I rarely have the "seat back" in.

I used similar attachments on the boot end as the plastic setup, but used some snap-lock attachments in the front.

Scott will probably say this response is worthless without pictures, but I think he's seen it, so maybe he won't. If you need pictures, I will either email some to you or try to figure out how to post them (so far - I just don't get it - that is why my garage is so populated...)

Pat

 

Pat you so need to post pictures of your project!

 

:lol::lol:

And I haven't seen it ......so there!

 

OK, OK. Jim gave me some easy squeazy hints. I'll try tomorrow. Scott, I'll call and come over next time I'm down. Any scotch left?

Pat

 

Actually there is about a third of the bottle left..........!