e30 couch

[browntown]

After seeing JAnderson's rear-seat delete in person, I'm pretty sure I'm going that route. So I was thinking of making my vinyl rear seat into a garage couch for hanging out. Might even get done before the browntown minimeet on the 14th (unlikely, but possible). The most robust thing would be to weld up some square tubing, but that is cost prohibitive, so I think I'll be using 2x4's with gorilla glue and big screws..

Surely this has been done before, anyone have pics or knowledge? I figure it has to have a diagonal "buttress" out back so you don't tip backwards when you sit down. The only other major problem I forsee is the side cutouts for the wheel arches. Any ideas on how to support the sides properly?

Thoughts, comments, ridicule??

[TurboJake]

Just do a plywood sheet in the shape of the bottom of the seat using a jigsaw.
There's your support. Done.

I'm probably going to do this too. I have a lot of rear seats nobody wants.

[browntown]

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I was talking about the seat back. If it was up against a flat board, the sides look like they'd buckle. Might be as simple as sticking a length of 4x4 and some foam to keep the bolsters out.

[acolella76]

Within 4 seconds of googling 'E30 rear seat':

http://www.azbmw.org/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=143383

[browntown]

Well at least you didn't shame me with the, "let me google that for you" link. Anywho, this is exactly what I was thinking of originally, but I have more 2x4's than metal tube. I guess I can build it the same way with wood and add tip over protection after the fact if necessary. As for my previous concern, these are the voids I was talking about. Doesn't seem to be an issue for the guy who built these though

[TurboJake]

Do plywood bottom, fill voids with great stuff. Or wood.

I apologize for being of little help.

[AndrewBird]

Find a junk e30 and cut the body out where the seat sits. Use 2x4's/metal tubing to build a frame for the sheet metal to sit on. Then it will be supported just like it would be in the car.

[Balleristic31]

Danny did this. Ask him.

[Danny]

I did this.

[dannyyisntt]

^ask him.

[RickSloan]

http://3rings.designerpages.com/2011/06/24/fridge-and-car-combine-to-become-the-fridgecouch-by-adrian-johnson/

[Jafxod]

Danny did this. Ask him.

I did this.

^ask him.

win

[Raxe]

1) Build wooden storage box with the same dimensions as seat base

2) Attach seat on lid of box

3) ???

4) Profit!

[glucklich21]

Didn't James or someone have a whole rear shell of an E30 as a couch?

[McGyver]

I did this.

i seem to remember yours looking like a giant wing that could bolt to your trunk.