Rear seat removal, storage/dog platform

I didn't need the additional seating and wanted a better platform for the dog and easy (flat) storage. I removed the rear seats, under seat storage bins, etc. Then built the bottom platform out of 3/4" furniture grade ply with boxed supports at the front the same height as the steel body parts in the back (VERY sturdy), all glued and screwed. The bottom platform is "free floating" but has enough contact area that it doesn't slide or shift at all. this way it's easily removable to store stuff under it (use it for the dog's camping gear ). The back panel is 1/2" furniture grade ply with cutouts for the factory attachment points and hole drilled to use the factory mount locations. Both were covered in 1/2" dense memory foam, then with heavy outdoor canvas (the material is from Sunbrulla). I did a squared corner on the passenger side for max "floorspace", and cutaway on the driver's side to make it easier to access and allow putting stuff on the floor behind the driver's seat. End result is a very safe and stable, padded platform.

I use the factory attachment points on the back wall, cut through to expose them, to clip on the dog harness and as gear attachments. The back wall panel is easily removable with an allen wrench now for access to things like the wiring I have running behind it (there are through-wall plugs in the back wall for power and antenna wiring conduit going to the bed). I left the very top open for some future project stuff.

I did all of it over two saturdays and could have reasonably done it in a day. Cheap and easy solution.

 

That must be one hell of a dog. No pics of the super dog?

 

LOL, he's in the "Co-Pilot thread" . Papi is a 85lb AmStaff mix (50% AmStaff) built like a stump, and a great road dog. (pic obviously pre-platform)



And he "helped" during construction.

 

Lucky dog . Nice

 

That's better! We needed to see the dog of honor. I take my dog everywhere with me. I call him T-bone. He loves me more than my wife does LOL!

 

Just in case this will help anyone looking to do a platform that sits on top of the folded down seats in a double cab, it may help with ideas...

I originally made a template out of cardboard and dry fitted that to get the feel for it. I would highly recommend doing the template as my skills are not good and it was definitely a bit of trial and error. I ended up using some carpet from Lowes, 'under vinyl floor' rubber for the base and a cheap foam mattress topper from Target for cushion.

Disclaimer: The measurements in the photo include the carpet wrapped around the edges (I don't have measurement without ) so use them as a guide (my bad)... As you can see the red scribble part is not needed (I've been meaning to cut it off)

 

Well done!