So I built a rear seat delete platform for less than $100!

[smlobx]

As some may know I am building out my Gladiator as our off-road overlanding Vehicle. Since we are only two people and space is limited in the Gladiator I decided to remove the rear seats and install a platform. I was thinking about the Goose Gear rear seat platform but for over $1000 I said there is no way I’m paying that kind of coin.
https://www.goose-gear.com/products/jeep-jt-sleeping-platforms-2019?_pos=3&_sid=a5cda93fc&_ss=r

Soooo I decided to build my own and thought you guys may want to do it too!

First I bought a sheet of 1/2” Baltic Birch plywood. Now this isn’t the junk you get a Lowe’s etc. this is what all plywood should be. There are 8 different plies in that 1/2” And it is remarkably flat and level. It also comes in a 5ft. By 5 ft. Sheet and cost about $32 which isn’t bad considering the current state of lumber prices.

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[smlobx]

Then I carefully measured the various sides of the area and then measured a second time before I started cutting any wood... after the Straight cuts were made I took a jigsaw to round off the corners then took a sander to the edges to finish it out...

 

[smlobx]

I laid it in there and it actually fit beautifully!

I took a piece of 5/4” yellow pine stair tread and ripped it down to use in attaching the corners etc. It is very strong wood and only cost about $11. I used wood glue and clamps to hold it in place being careful to recess the wood 1/2” so that the sides would sit flush when attached.
When I predrilled the screw holes I also beveled the hole to allow the 1 1/2” wood screw to sit flush with the plywood.

 

[smlobx]

When I put the sides together and glued and screwed everything down it was incredibly strong.
I also decided to take advantage of the space underneath the platform and so I cut out “trap doors” on each side to suit certain things I want to put under the platform. I drilled a 1” hole to use as a finger pull to keep things simple...

In the third picture you can also see the 4 holes I drilled out to accept some of the bolts that held the seats down and used the factory nuts that are welded into the body making the platform secure.

 

[smlobx]

I then decided to use some bed liner paint to cover all the exposed parts that will be subject to abuse. This cost about $35...but give it the durability I wanted.

 

[smlobx]

The hardest part was developing the template for the main deck and the side pieces. It literally took me about 6 hours get all the dimensions worked out on a piece of cardboard before I cranked up the saw.
I made a few templates of the plywood pieces so let me know if you’re interested in building one but want to save you some serious head scratching...

 

[Shackleton]

Looks great and really nice of you to offer the templates.

 

[smlobx]

Looks great and really nice of you to offer the templates.

Thanks!

And another benefit is that this build deleted 77 pounds off the truck so now I have more space AND more payload capacity!

 

[Sportsbiz]

Well done!

 

[WhatExit?]

Nice work! Wish I thought of that
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ter-rear-seat-removal-rear-seat-delete.24177/

 

[jurfie]

The hardest part was developing the template for the main deck and the side pieces. It literally took me about 6 hours get all the dimensions worked out on a piece of cardboard before I cranked up the saw.
I made a few templates of the plywood pieces so let me know if you’re interested in building one but want to save you some serious head scratching...

That looks awesome, and kudos for offering up the template! If I was closer to you, I'd grab one and draw it up in AutoCAD to make downloadable .PDFs for people who could then print out full sized templates or just use them a dimensioned plans.

 

[jurfie]

Nice work! Wish I thought of that
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ter-rear-seat-removal-rear-seat-delete.24177/

You may or may not have been the first to do it, but that thread certainly has provided inspiration for others to do the same. I love to see how people come up with solutions for themselves; that's what forums are for: sharing ideas and helping other enthusiasts make their builds more epic!

 

[smlobx]

I decided to improve the platform a bit by installing some airline seat track that I had left over from the bed project I’m working on.
https://www.uscargocontrol.com/Anch...ebPHDUfkaIXOhx2YGzsl4PfQ7p0mcqBAaAjrzEALw_wcB

and installed 3- 24” long tracks at each side and in the middle. Then using a strap allows me to secure anything I want...

 

[WhatExit?]

I decided to improve the platform a bit by installing some airline seat track that I had left over from the bed project I’m working on.
https://www.uscargocontrol.com/Anch...ebPHDUfkaIXOhx2YGzsl4PfQ7p0mcqBAaAjrzEALw_wcB

and installed 3- 24” long tracks at each side and in the middle. Then using a strap allows me to secure anything I want...

Good execution on the tie-down rails

 

[stickshifter]

Nice work! I'll be doing something similar. Thanks for posting!

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