Quick release pins for removing backseat?

[WadeGreenwood]

Haven't been on the forums in some time, but I know I've seen this somewhere on 'mud over the years but searching hasn't found anything. Has anyone inserted quick-release pins into the hinges where the backseat in their '60 folds down?

I've got the typical cargo box + sleeper panel setup that slides into place with the seats folded down, but there's a lot of storage to be gained if the back bench is totally removed, something that became really apparent after our recent trip through Baja. Since I use my rig as a daily driver I don't want to permanently remove the back bench, but being able to take it out with minimal work when we're taking off on a long trip would be awesome.

Does anyone have examples of using quick release pins for this? Or examples of storage setups with the back bench totally removed?

A little eye-candy from down south over the holiday break:

 

[doug720]

I removed the pins and replaced them with bolts and lock nuts.

Just takes a minute to pull the lower seat and increases usable storage. Great modification.

I think I posted this in the "Under $50" modification thread?

 

[NookShneer]

These takes seconds to remove. I meant to get you photos a week ago. But worked on the car today and snapped a few. These have never worked look on me in the last 4 years of having them installed. I guess you could source the kind with the wire clips for additional peace of mind.

I'm 6'2 and in order to sleep in the back need to do the diagonal thing. When you have another big guy in there to catch first tracks in the AM. You pull the pins and throw the lower bench in the Yakima Rocket box that rides on top of the crusier. I slide the front seats forward and drop some gear in the rear seat foot wells to sleep stretched out.

McMaster Carr. 98404A387

18-8 Stainless Steel Quick-Release Pin
3/8"

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

^^^ I second the notion of using the clip end pins...

 

[FJ40Jim]

Love the QR pins for the seat bottom.

Anybody figured out some kind of retractable pin for seatback hingepins?
There are times when I want all the upholstery out of the rear of the truck (hauling firewood).

 

[NookShneer]

@LAMBCRUSHER this is what I was thinking with locking wire.

McMaster-Carr

 

[doug720]

I tried the pins on mine first off. But the seats rattled and squeaked, so I went to 2 bolts w lock nuts. Quiet and still easy to remove the seat.

I also took an old rear seat back and modified it to be a shelf and organizer. I removed the old back rest pan from the frame - The part that pivots and supports the folding action. I welded brackets that support a shelf with legs that go to the floor behind the front seats.

It works well and makes organizing easy. Sorry, I don't have any pictures, and the seat back is on an upper shelf. Which, with having a total knee replacement 3 weeks ago, means no pictures of it for a few more weeks.

 

[WadeGreenwood]

Thank you doug & nook. Super helpful as I think this through. Much appreciated!

 

[cruiserpilot]

I got an old rear seat back and removed the seat bottom. Then took the old seat back and removed all
the upholstery. I use the are underneath now to store shovels, tent poles, axes, etc and it keeps the floor level
all the way to the front. Really handy. I keep the good rear seat in storage.
don't know if you want to go this far. In 5 years I haven't used or needed the back seat.

 

[4Cruisers]

Love the QR pins for the seat bottom.

Anybody figured out some kind of retractable pin for seatback hingepins?
There are times when I want all the upholstery out of the rear of the truck (hauling firewood).

A long, long time ago I regularly used my '84 FJ60 as a workhorse, mainly in hauling firewood. I think on some days I got overzealous and piled in too many lengths of green pinon (it's heavy). I'd cut the sections of trunk into the longest length to fit in the cargo area with the front seats up as far as they'd go. Quite a few miles of pretty rough dirt roads to get back to the house, roads I now drive mostly in my '76 FJ40 (they've gotten a lot rougher since then). I believe that type of use (abuse?) lead to the breaking of a leaf in one of the rear springs, which I didn't notice until afterwards. So my advice would be to be careful not to load up too much at a time.