2nd row seats

[honda99ex]

2014 Trail, no 3rd row, no cargo tray

I took out the 2nd row and am going to arrange for a custom shelf/platform put in there. kind of disappointed that it's not nearly as flat as I expected. Trying to send some design pics to my carpenter. Are there any points of access needed under there (fuel pump, etc). Obviously easier if I can just tell him to lay a piece of plywood there no cuts but I can have him make cutouts/hatches as needed.

Also there seems to be a plastic shelf in the transition from cargo floor to 2nd row seat. The area where some people have the 'secret' compartment. Has anyone removed it? I'm only hesitant because it is integral with the tie downs which I have in use at the moment. Wondering if I could buy or source from the junk yard the actual secret compartment.... Any help with part numbers appreciated.

Thanks

Also putting feelers out there to gauge demand and price for the entire 2nd row seats - charcoal grey (pretty good condition)

 

[adrtoy]

I took my seat, those tie downs, and that narrow carpeted piece of trim out and made a platform. I made a metal frame with a piece of plywood that hinges up so the space underneath can be used for storage.

 

[honda99ex]

Do you have any pics?

I would like to know more about the metal frame. Obviously wood is easiest material to work with, but if I can get something stronger, lighter, etc that would be better. Using for work

I took my seat, those tie downs, and that narrow carpeted piece of trim out and made a platform. I made a metal frame with a piece of plywood that hinges up so the space underneath can be used for storage.

 

[Mike Hancho]

:worthless

 

[adrtoy]

Should be enough to get an Idea. I just took it out two weeks ago and put the seat back in to trade it so no inside pics. You take the seats out in four pieces and them take those tie downs out and then that narrow carpeted trim piece pops right out. under there is two stamped steel bracket for the tiedowns that for reasons I can't remember I couldn't reuse for the mount so I made the ones in the pics.

 

[adrtoy]

 

[honda99ex]

First time posting pics so hopefully it works.

I took inspiration from adrtoy but since I have no easy access to metal working equipment I had to do a more "home depot/wood shop" special.

Instead of using the d-ring brackets, I used the seat attachment bolt points. The bolt is much larger than those of the d-ring attachment and as seen I actually use the d-rings so I needed it to be super sturdy. I found those 1/4" L-brackets and washers in the electrical section. The cross brace is made of some super hard wood (carpenter selected so not sure what stock). Bolted through with 1/2" x 3.5" bolts. The brace itself was notched slightly on the underside so that it sat rock solid without even being attached. Laminate (again not sure what type) was 3/4".

I wasn't able to pull the foam piece out (didn't try that hard) as I have a box sitting on it already. My carpenter was jet lagged. The only thing different would have been to cut the wood to match the contours of the foam. I have gaps there now that I will fill with something. But he was jet lagged and it was late...

 

[BigredTEX]

This may be something you already know, but if you had the sliding trey in the back, it provides a completely flat floor with the 2nd row seats folded down. I've slept in the back on mine numerous times with my XPed air mattress and a sleeping bag. No need to remove the 2nd row. I'm 5'10" and fit perfectly with my head at the back of the folded 2nd row and my feet at the closed rear hatch.

 

[adrtoy]

I cut those foam and carpet tabs off flush. That foam piece comes out real easy.

Well done.

 

[honda99ex]

This may be something you already know, but if you had the sliding trey in the back, it provides a completely flat floor with the 2nd row seats folded down. I've slept in the back on mine numerous times with my XPed air mattress and a sleeping bag. No need to remove the 2nd row. I'm 5'10" and fit perfectly with my head at the back of the folded 2nd row and my feet at the closed rear hatch.

I did not know that since I don't have the cargo tray. My floor had a step but I'm still happy I removed the 2nd row seats on weight savings alone!

I cut those foam and carpet tabs off flush. That foam piece comes out real easy.

Well done.

Ohhh. I just shoved my hand in there and couldn't feel how it was attached. Well if I have to just cut the foam/carpet it won't be that difficult to fabricate a joining piece to bridge the gap! So you cut just the part with the circles on the foam or further back than that?

 

[adrtoy]

I did not know that since I don't have the cargo tray. My floor had a step but I'm still happy I removed the 2nd row seats on weight savings alone!



Ohhh. I just shoved my hand in there and couldn't feel how it was attached. Well if I have to just cut the foam/carpet it won't be that difficult to fabricate a joining piece to bridge the gap! So you cut just the part with the circles on the foam or further back than that?

Just those circle parts and those foam teeth. If I recall the only thing holding that piece in is the edges being tucked under the trim on the sides and back.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Removing 2nd row seats

I've removed my 2nd row seats to go camping. They've been out of the car a lot more than they've been in. I know it seems annoying that the floor is not flat. The two shelf creations above look great for solving this. I haven't tried it yet because I use the low foot well floor of the second row for storing heavy gear like water jugs and recovery gear. It tends to fill the space and places the heavy gear lower in the car where it rides well. I suppose you could fit the recovery gear under either of the above platforms, but then if you need it you have to empty everything out of the truck that's on top of the platform to lift it. Taller water jugs could be stored on top of the platform.

When I've gone camping and want to sleep in the car I just put down some of my softer duffle bags to make the space flat and place a couple of camping pads over everything. It works fine if I'm alone because I don't have to empty the whole truck to make room for myself. With a 2nd person I'd want something like your platform. Here in mild So Cal we just pitch a tent.

I would not cut back the Styrofoam platform at all, in case it supports part of the back edge of the 2nd row. I would build the platform to stop against that curvy line and fill in the gaps with anything handy. A wood slat cut to fit the shape would work. The Styrofoam covers the entire back floor area and creates sound-proofing so you don't want to remove it.

 

[adrtoy]

FWIW I just put mine back to original to trade and and you can't tell it's ever been cut and it has no affect on anything. I kind of made sure of this before deciding to cut those off knowing I wasn't keeping very long.