Interior 2nd Gen Most liked posts in thread: Rear Seat Delete

  1. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    #70 Justa Jim, Mar 16, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2011
    Job is now done. I'll take pictures tomorrow, but there is what I did and learned.

    I used the seat to make a template on a section of cardboard, but it was not correct. I took some sheets of typing paper (some of you will remember what that is) and taped it along the edge, hanging over about half its width. Then I placed the cardboard back in and snugged the paper down, forming a right angle and giving me the correct curve. Marked with a pen, cut and transfered to a sheet of finished plywood. Cut with jig saw, sanded and checked for fit.

    The front of the seat attaches to two objects that are 1 X 1 1/2 " and stick up one inch (seen clearly in second link posted above). I marked their location on the front of the board and cut out a rectangular hole for them to go into, having a snug fit.

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    Felt did not work, so I removed it and applied Hush Mat vibration dampener to the metal surfaces.

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    Next, I applied Hush Mat sound barrier over the dampener. I also put some under the tool box and another section over the tool box, under the lid, but did not stick it down.

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    I used spray glue on the top of the board and attached a sheet of black, rubber, floor runner. Wrapped the edges and stapled it on the bottom.

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    I put the new floor in and pushed it down over the two front hold downs. Everything is very snug and tight.

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    Now, in the center of the rear is the bracket that the two seat backs clip into, which can also be see in the second link I posted above. There are two #40 torx screws in the front AND one in the back. You have to remove the trim cover at the rear of the boot to get to it. There are two pop gizmos (like on the grill), one on each side and it then comes right off.

    I really like the seat being out. Much more usable space and the rear area can be cleaned from the hatch. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  2. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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

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  3. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    [​IMG]
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    A good location for sound barrier placement is behind the tail lights.

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    The boot hatch, including the door trim.

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    Insulating the battery box will cut down on road & exhaust noise.

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    A little overkill.

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    Since you plan on changing the speakers, apply deadener in the cavity.

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    I could keep going, but I think you get the point.
     
  4. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

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    That works most of the time. When we moved into our house and had the new carpet installed, our bedroom door rubbed on the bottom. I took the door off, took it to the back yard, measured, and re-measured and cut. It was a nice square cut, not bad for a cheap circular saw. I took off 1/2 of an inch. Remounted the door and it still rubbed. Hmmm. I found out that when you take a door down for cutting, you're recommended to mark which is the top and the bottom of the door. We now have a 1/2 gap at the top that light streams thru every morning. :incazzato: After my second cut the bottom no longer rubs. :D
     
  5. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

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    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!
     
  6. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    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.
     
  7. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

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    #5 TGS91, Feb 28, 2011
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2011
    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.
     
  8. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Jim....
    It'll sure be easier to throw that bale of hay in the MINI for the horses.:D
     
  9. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

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    AND the Hay will be extra sound deadner!
     
  10. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

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    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 ;-)
     
  11. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    :lol:

    You took 30 some pounds out and added how many? Your picture did answer one question, as I see my boot box will still work with the delete.

    Thanks Sonny. :cornut:

    Jim
     
  12. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Your right. Just about one square bale is all that would fit. :D

    Thanks for the posts. I never thought about the added noise, which is something to consider. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  13. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    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..... :eek:ut:

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

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Thanks for the update. The pictures help and I'll stop calling you Sonny. :Thumbsup:

    Juim
     
  15. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    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.
     
  16. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    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... ;)
     
  17. Onramp

    Onramp Enjoy the Hiways of Life!
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    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
     
  18. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    Pat you so need to post pictures of your project! :Thumbsup:
     
  19. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    :lol::lol:

    And I haven't seen it ......so there!
     
  20. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    I would love to see pictures. Sounds like something I would like to try. :Thumbsup:

    Jim