Rear seat delete/dog deck/vertical storage compartment build

[Orso Nero]

My first post ever to the Gladiator forum.

I'm aware of the other rear seat delete posts, but I thought this would be useful for someone who is looking to do something a little different.

Phase 1: build a base platform with extruded aluminum rails.

Phase 2: custom fit and seal a plywood deck with a non-skid and waterproof rubberized coating.

Phase 3: use extruded aluminum rails to build shelving/storage/power control center against the rear cab. The shelving/storage will be approximately 12" deep.

The heart of the power control center will be my Redarc BCDC 1225 with a 100 amp hour gel battery. I'm still working out where to put my solar input as I prefer to not cut into the tub if it all possible. Additionally, the power control center will also have extra 12 volt and USB plugs as well as my wireless trigger controller. More to follow on this obviously.

Phase 4: cut out hatches to access below deck storage and cut side pieces to enclose the storage area.

Please feel free to ask any questions that you might have.

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[jsalbre]

I assume that’s 8020? Would you mind sharing your profile or and the measurements of each length? I have a tone of 8020 from an old project and I’ve been thinking about doing something similar to this.

 

[Orso Nero]

I assume that’s 8020? Would you mind sharing your profile or and the measurements of each length? I have a tone of 8020 from an old project and I’ve been thinking about doing something similar to this.

6560. No reason you couldn't do the same with 8020. I'll check the measurements when I finish running errands and post those up here.

 

[jsalbre]

6560. No reason you couldn't do the same with 8020. I'll check the measurements when I finish running errands and post those up here.

Sorry, when I said "8020" I meant the brand 80/20, not a specific aluminum type. Looks like you're using McMaster-Carr, which is selling the 80/20 extrusions, just without the 80/20 name.

You gave me the info I was looking for though, thank you!

 

[Orso Nero]

Ok, so things slowed down enough for me to make some more progress on this rear seat conversion. Mock-up starting to take shape now. The right 2/3's will be a storage compartment using the same aluminum extrusions as my deck base.

Behind the aux battery holder will be a vent cutout. The middle left of the left panel will be a wire route cutout for my Redarc BCDC 1225D, which will be mounted above the cutout. And for the moment I'm looking at mounting my Trigger4 wireless controller on the upper right of this panel.

 

[Orso Nero]

Okay so progress has been a little slow, partly due to having to run wire and partly due to the holidays and all of the things that need to be done to get ready. This is just a quick update photo on where I am as of this morning. The area behind the extruded aluminum to the back of the cab will be storage / electrical control. When I'm finished I'll have multiple storage compartments on the right 2/3s which I will probably face with Molle panels on the upper shelves, and I will have solid locking doors on the lower half. Next up is just more measuring and cutting for extruded aluminum to build the frame for the storage unit.

 

[LzyHkr]

Have you built the storage unit? Or cut the access panels? If completed, curious how it turned out. I do like the idea of using an aluminum frame.

 

[Orso Nero]

Have you built the storage unit? Or cut the access panels? If completed, curious how it turned out. I do like the idea of using an aluminum frame.

Sort of/almost/in progress... Holidays took all of my attention this year.

Here's where I am now:

More too follow this week. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[SillyWillys]

Looks like a great project! Did you take any pictures while removing the plastic trim panels on the back of the cab? I've read that its a real bear but I want to get back there to put some soundassassin mats down.

 

[LzyHkr]

I see you cut the back panel you installed. Were you having issues with cabin pressure? Or just access for wiring? The storage box looks to be a good size. Before finding your post I had started building a platform out of wood and plywood, but now I think I'm going to switch to the aluminum t-slot. I like how clean yours is turning out.

 

[Orso Nero]

I see you cut the back panel you installed. Were you having issues with cabin pressure? Or just access for wiring? The storage box looks to be a good size. Before finding your post I had started building a platform out of wood and plywood, but now I think I'm going to switch to the aluminum t-slot. I like how clean yours is turning out.

Thanks! I did the cutouts for both wiring and for venting the Auxiliary battery I'm going to install on the rear passenger side.

The extruded aluminum really is beefy (I used 40mm), and I like the multiple options it gives me for how I want to configure the actual storage area.

 

[AXISJT]

in

 

[Orso Nero]

Looks like a great project! Did you take any pictures while removing the plastic trim panels on the back of the cab? I've read that its a real bear but I want to get back there to put some soundassassin mats down.

I didn't take any photos of the removal process. Yes, they're a pita. I broke 2 or 3 plastic arms that insert in the top metal clips near the bolts that hold the roof in place below the rear window. I'm honestly under the impression that there is no way to remove that rear body panel without breaking something. If it's important to you to get the sound assassin mats mounted in back you may want to plan for replacing the rear body panel. I have no intention of putting mine back in place so I wasn't really worried about it, but I did do all I could to remove it without any damage. It just doesn't want to cooperate no matter how gentle and thoughtful you are in the process.

 

[SillyWillys]

I didn't take any photos of the removal process. Yes, they're a pita. I broke 2 or 3 plastic arms that insert in the top metal clips near the bolts that hold the roof in place below the rear window. I'm honestly under the impression that there is no way to remove that rear body panel without breaking something. If it's important to you to get the sound assassin mats mounted in back you may want to plan for replacing the rear body panel. I have no intention of putting mine back in place so I wasn't really worried about it, but I did do all I could to remove it without any damage. It just doesn't want to cooperate no matter how gentle and thoughtful you are in the process.

Good to know - thank you. Its certainly not a "need" to get the mats back there. I'm already at the point of diminishing returns. The completionist part of me just wants to cover everything I can, especially because I have a couple mats of material left over.

Anyway - I'll be following along on this project... looks great so far!

 

[ScottHarr_JT]

Looks great! Can’t wait to see how it comes out.

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