rear seat delete that doesn't suck

[hoveringuy]

Here's something I've been working on for the last several months. I want a rear seat delete, but don't want 25lbs of MDF covered in carpet.

I made a form, then a mold, and now my first trial one. It came out ugly because the PVA mold release failed in this weather and the gelcoat stuck to the mold in a few places, but you get the idea. Next step is to take my mold to a legit CF shop for the real-deal!

The tray is meant to get a carpet inlay.

[moatilliatta]

Nifty, how hard is it to get out to do fuel pump service with a roll bar?

[hoveringuy]

Nifty, how hard is it to get out to do fuel pump service with a roll bar?

Dunno... For me I'll probably need to remove the passenger Sparco seat just to get back there (which is why I'm doing the the rear seat delete...), but I can lift it straight up to get access underneath which is pretty convenient. I also suppose you could have an access panel in the panel.

Look at how nice the gel came out on my mold! I'm kinda pissed that this one has so much "character"...

[roguetoaster]

Pretty dang neat. What did you use for the mold?

[hoveringuy]

Pretty dang neat. What did you use for the mold?

The form is high density fiberboard and wood, with body filler and then grey epoxy primer. Hardest part was figuring-out all the clearances and dimensions.

The mold was gelcoat painted on the form (after liberal application of PVA mold release...) and then 6 layers of fiberglass and some wood stiffening. It also had a slab of wood grafted on to it to make the tray (remember, it's a negative).

The next step is the mold is going to a shop that does CF and so I'll have some CF Pr0N in a month or so!

The mold can be used over and over....

[roguetoaster]

I should have said negative. Basically, how did you generally determine the shape of the area to be covered?

[varg]

So it pivots up above the beltline to allow fuel pump access? Looks like it will turn out nice. I was looking for more about your car but I can't find your project/build thread, if you have one, only some engine swap stuff.

[hoveringuy]

So it pivots up above the beltline to allow fuel pump access? Looks like it will turn out nice. I was looking for more about your car but I can't find your project/build thread, if you have one, only some engine swap stuff.

It just lifts straight up. I should have a CF version within a month and I can do some more testing on it. (I'll also fix the gel coat scabs on this one...)

[hoveringuy]

I should have said negative. Basically, how did you generally determine the shape of the area to be covered?

Trial and error with 1/4" sheets of masonite to get the general shape, and then figuring-out wheel arch clearance. I wanted the bottom to be flat and to lay on top of the OEM seat snap fittings, to have enough depth for a tray, etc. I made some rough prototypes to check fit and adjusted, repeat...

[roguetoaster]

Makes sense, but I was half hoping to learn some new methodology. In any case, good work!

[hoveringuy]

Makes sense, but I was half hoping to learn some new methodology. In any case, good work!

Ideally I'd have a Faro Arm, take the measurements, develop the model in CAD and have a mold CNC cut from foam...

[Panici]

Looks pretty good! Following to see final version.

[jbontke]

Needs cupholders.

[hoveringuy]

Prototype is done!

I've got a temporary piece of silicone rubber in there, but it will be thin carpet, or it could accept a tray with cupholders, jbontke

It uses the stock mounting tabs and fits much better than I deserve.

[Panici]

Wow that came out great!
How much weight did you save over the stock seat?