The Great Pumpkin - '71 Duster
Made some more progress on the 'rear seat delete' platform. Naturally, this side project has taken a lot more work than originally envisioned. As with anything, the first time you do something it takes forever. I'm only half done too since the other side needs to be done now but hopefully that will go a little quicker. The piece in front had to be cut in half which I wanted to avoid but it made it a lot easier to deal with. It's also not the prettiest thing in the world so thankfully it won't be seen underneath. It's rattle proof solid and dead level though.
The plan was to make it as light as possible and removable. I'd estimate the whole shebang weighs 6-7 lbs. Can't see them in this pic but there are two welded brackets in the front where the structure bolts to. They're only spot welded so if me or someone else down the road wants to put the rear seat back in the brackets can be zipped off easily. There are two brackets in the back of it where it screws to the base of the trunk divider brace and the base cushion frame hanger.
Hard to tell in the pic but I did screw up the dimensions a bit. It's not a big deal really but the aluminum sheet is short by about 1/4". Not sure how that happened but par for the course for me. Regardless, I have to compensate for it by either moving it towards the front to be even with the frame or back flush against the wheel well leaving a large gap in front. It will be covered with carpet either way but it will always bother me knowing it's not perfect!
There is so much fitting with this stuff. Put it in, check it, take it out, adjust it, etc. There also seems to be a very specific sequence for tightening the mount brackets since it tends to bend. Honestly, I'll be glad to be done with it. I doubt many would go through the effort to do this type of thing and I'm questioning myself for getting so involved with it. Hopefully it will be cool when it's done.
More to come.
Made some more progress on the 'rear seat delete' platform. Naturally, this side project has taken a lot more work than originally envisioned. As with anything, the first time you do something it takes forever. I'm only half done too since the other side needs to be done now but hopefully that will go a little quicker. The piece in front had to be cut in half which I wanted to avoid but it made it a lot easier to deal with. It's also not the prettiest thing in the world so thankfully it won't be seen underneath. It's rattle proof solid and dead level though.
The plan was to make it as light as possible and removable. I'd estimate the whole shebang weighs 6-7 lbs. Can't see them in this pic but there are two welded brackets in the front where the structure bolts to. They're only spot welded so if me or someone else down the road wants to put the rear seat back in the brackets can be zipped off easily. There are two brackets in the back of it where it screws to the base of the trunk divider brace and the base cushion frame hanger.
Hard to tell in the pic but I did screw up the dimensions a bit. It's not a big deal really but the aluminum sheet is short by about 1/4". Not sure how that happened but par for the course for me. Regardless, I have to compensate for it by either moving it towards the front to be even with the frame or back flush against the wheel well leaving a large gap in front. It will be covered with carpet either way but it will always bother me knowing it's not perfect!
There is so much fitting with this stuff. Put it in, check it, take it out, adjust it, etc. There also seems to be a very specific sequence for tightening the mount brackets since it tends to bend. Honestly, I'll be glad to be done with it. I doubt many would go through the effort to do this type of thing and I'm questioning myself for getting so involved with it. Hopefully it will be cool when it's done.
More to come.