Replacing second row seats with custom storage system

[Borec Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Borec]

Hi,
Has anybody build a kind of a storage system instead of the second raw of seats. I am planning a trip to the centre, and I want to take out the second row, and use it for storing stuff. Perhaps put a spare tire there, jerry cans with diesel, water, or what ever. Looking for some ideas. Obviously it needs to be removable, as when I come back I need to put the seats back again. I already have draws in the back.

[jbodey Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jbodey]

We stored stuff in 6 heavy duty fish bin style plastic tubs stacked on top of the drawers. I considered building a storage system in place of the seats, instead I put our freezer and esky there keeping storage light and simple. We too have drawers in the back & took the second row of seats out. We put the kings fridge/freezer on the passenger side - easier to get frozen food in and out of the unit as it is lower. We put the esky holding fresh food amongst 20 ice bricks on the driver side. The esky would be removed to the "kitchen" - the back door has a fold down table, the drawers hold the dry food, cans, plates and utensils for the two of us. 6 pastic tubs held clothes, electrical, shoes and boots. 2 X 20 litre plastic water holders (jerry can shape) in the center between the tubs provided water. The water was simply siphoned out when needed.

I would add I photo if I could figure out how to do it on my iPad

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Yep. I have done it for every big trip I did in my 120 and for the first trip so far in the 150. To start with you are taking out 60-70 kg and that counts in the desert. I undo the bottom seat belt mounts where they go through the m=inner mudguard near the bottom of the back doors and use the seat belt bolt to secure strong right angl brackets. I use these, as well as the centre seat mounts to mount ratchet straps to secure the load. On a Canning trip I had 6 jerry cans of fuel, 3 of water, the fridge and a battery box all on that flat area and all securely ratchet strapped down. The big advantage is that you take the 60+kg out and then have all of the really heavy stuff inside the wheelbase [ ie .some weight on the front of the car] and down as low as possible. You also end up with a flat area just below seat back height to put all of your lighter stuff like chairs, table, clothing bags and whatever.
For a big trip planned for next year I am going to build a flat shelf there with lots of tie downs and going closer to the front seats.
If you do a search on here for Canning Stock Route about Sept 2010 you will see some photos.
Here it is. http://www.pradopoint.com.au/showthr...ock+Route+2010