Removable seats?

[chicago]

Hey gents....
Im considering a way to make my seats in Jezebel (the 40) easily removable...Maybe a latch mechanism or knob or something.
The reason is, Im starting to get a little paranoid about space and gear. HOWEVER, there is quite a bit of space under the seats that would be great to utilize if only I could have good access to it. The best way to accomplish this, would be to have the seats be easily removable.

Question is....would this be safe to do?
What kind of latch and or handle set up could I use?
Anyone seen anything like what Im considering?
Should I just scrap this idea, use what I can reach easily and bolt my sh!t down to the cradle.
I plan on keeping my spare axles under the seat. SHOULDNT need em too much, and there is a straight, flat shot across the floor down there that is IDEAL. Ill build a "holster" of sorts for them to keep em secure.

Any thoughts, ideas or recommendations....speak!

 

[thumper]

I am not sure it would be safe. A lot of what ifs come to mind, like latching/safety mechanism comes undone and bad things happen. Maybe have something for the side access that you can just pull the axles out? If I remember my old 40s, there was a open area on the side of the mount that you could possibly use. Probably doesn't help much.

Jon

 

[rusty_tlc]

There are may be a few places on Rubicon and definitely on Fordyce that you are likely to get water inside the cab. Anything under the seats would need to be in a water proof container (ammo Can, dry sack, etc.) or not be damaged by getting wet.

Jon, I believe his seat belts will tie into the seat cradle so I don't think the seat latch failing is a real problem unless he didn't have his seat belt on.

 

[thumper]

That makes sense then. Never been on Fordyce and the one time I went to Rubicon I don't remember water coming in the 40 series I was in, but it could have. I was wearing hiking boots so I don't remember my feet being wet.
Was a big 40 though, spring over, ome springs and 37s I think.

Jon

 

[benroberds]

Folding Seats

You remember older Bronco's, and Jimmy's for that matter, had the passenger seat that would fold forward. I don't know how that would work for you.

 

[WILLD420]

Seats

Totally screwed up my last reply, I'll try again.

We're talking front bucket seats right?

I think a lot depends how you are tying the seats to the rig.
If you are tying them into the cage you have different options than merely floor mounting.

CJ Jeeps had a pretty cool swinging type pass seat setup, but I'm not sure about the latching mechanism.

Ramchargers swing forward toward the dash, but would require more room than you have available to work correctly and they aren't conducive to storing large objects under the seat unless you redo the entire setup and only utilize the pivot point and the latch.

A lot of later model minivans have some pretty cool seating latches that hook into metal loops in the floor and fold forward.

 

[locrwln1]

I have two "slam" latches left over from the third row seats out of my 80. If they were good enough for Toyota and pretty much every other manufacturer that has removeable/foldable seats, then they should work for what you want.

Just build the front mount as a pivot and use the latches on the rear, rig up a little pull tab to release them and you are set. If I get a chance, maybe on Sunday I'll bring them by. Let me know if you are going to be in the garage working on your mistress.

Jack

 

[chicago]

I have two "slam" latches left over from the third row seats out of my 80. If they were good enough for Toyota and pretty much every other manufacturer that has removeable/foldable seats, then they should work for what you want.

Just build the front mount as a pivot and use the latches on the rear, rig up a little pull tab to release them and you are set. If I get a chance, maybe on Sunday I'll bring them by. Let me know if you are going to be in the garage working on your mistress.

Jack

Jack...yes I will be in the garage (or there abouts). I didnt think of that factor that most of the mfr's. had used something like that.

 

[chicago]

You remember older Bronco's, and Jimmy's for that matter, had the passenger seat that would fold forward. I don't know how that would work for you.

Totally screwed up my last reply, I'll try again.

We're talking front bucket seats right?

I think a lot depends how you are tying the seats to the rig.
If you are tying them into the cage you have different options than merely floor mounting.

CJ Jeeps had a pretty cool swinging type pass seat setup, but I'm not sure about the latching mechanism.

Ramchargers swing forward toward the dash, but would require more room than you have available to work correctly and they aren't conducive to storing large objects under the seat unless you redo the entire setup and only utilize the pivot point and the latch.

A lot of later model minivans have some pretty cool seating latches that hook into metal loops in the floor and fold forward.

SOOOOO, this cradle is tied into the floor, NOT the cage.
I was thinking about the hinge idea, until I TIRED to swing the seat either forward or backward off the mock set up I had. NO GO. Rear, it hits the fuel cell, and forward...steering wheel. However, I Have not started the PS seat, so that MIGHT work with some usefulness.

Here is a pic of the mock up that you can sort of get an idea as to how the cradle is gonna run. The frame is 1x1x.120 wall square.
The seat bracket is 3in x 1/4 in plate that I plan on BOLTING to the cradle for ease of removal, but this is where I started to think a quick release would work well for the access. This REALLY isnt all that bid of a deal in the grand scheme of things...
If I had something under there that I didnt use too much (axles) and I needed to remove the seats it will only be 4 bolts to pull.
Aside from that, I looking heavily into ammo cans for storage in this set up too. Just kinda trying to think outside the box so to speak to make access a bit easier for those pesky problems that DO arise down the road.

 

[chicago]

There are may be a few places on Rubicon and definitely on Fordyce that you are likely to get water inside the cab. Anything under the seats would need to be in a water proof container (ammo Can, dry sack, etc.) or not be damaged by getting wet.

Jon, I believe his seat belts will tie into the seat cradle so I don't think the seat latch failing is a real problem unless he didn't have his seat belt on.

Yeup...had considered that wet factor already. Ideally, the fluids, possibly tools and "hard" parts up under the seats. The goal is to have everything of "like" uses in its OWN spots. Tools, parts and fluids in one spot (under the seats), cooking and camping gear under the cargo bin on once side, and the dry foods types stuff on the other etc. or vice versa. SOOOO three MAIN compartments each with its own classification for use.

Yes... I am OCD!

Im probably waaaaay ahead of myself at this point even considering this type of stuff. However....its how I roll.

 

[WILLD420]

How about some sliders that allow the seat to slide all the way forward until the seat back hits the steering wheel and the seat bottom hits the dash?

Or you could make sliders and a hinge that allow the seat to both slide forward or tilt to the side toward the center of the vehicle. That would allow a little better access to the area under the seat.

Tilting the seat forward or to the outside would probably make the seat hit the cage/steering wheel or the rear of the door opening.

 

[rusty_tlc]

That makes sense then. Never been on Fordyce and the one time I went to Rubicon I don't remember water coming in the 40 series I was in, but it could have. I was wearing hiking boots so I don't remember my feet being wet.
Was a big 40 though, spring over, ome springs and 37s I think.

Jon

It happens from time to time.
From last years trip;

 

[rusty_tlc]

Yeup...had considered that wet factor already. Ideally, the fluids, possibly tools and "hard" parts up under the seats. The goal is to have everything of "like" uses in its OWN spots. Tools, parts and fluids in one spot (under the seats), cooking and camping gear under the cargo bin on once side, and the dry foods types stuff on the other etc. or vice versa. SOOOO three MAIN compartments each with its own classification for use.

Yes... I am OCD!

Im probably waaaaay ahead of myself at this point even considering this type of stuff. However....its how I roll.

Not OCD, just organized. Half of having a good time on the trail is not spending time searching for stuff.

I was thinking about using the DS under seat area for recovery gear, quick easy access on the trail and mostly stuff that won't get damaged by getting wet. I'd like to keep my tire repair stuff there also. I just don't have a good way to keep everything secure yet. It would suck to have s*** slide out under foot while I was dropping off a steep ledge.

You might also consider water storage under the seat. I carry 5 gallons of water into the Sierra. 10 when we go to Death Valley, 5 for drinking and 5 for a potential coolant problem on the truck. All that weight stored down low would be a good thing. You do know how to weld stainless steel don't you?

If you wanted to get real fancy you could install a Helton heat exchanger and have one side a hot water tank. Not that anyone one would want hot water after a day on the trail.

 

[chicago]

MIGHT have found an alternate location for a different fuel cell.
Is a different RCI model that is 30x17x7. There is a spot UNDER the rig where it could fit REALLY NICE. However, it will depend on the rear axle location when I do the SOA and kick that bieotch back.
Would it be okay to run that under there!? Probably gonna have to build a skid if I do...

SOOO the seats are 4 bolt holes away from being set....
Then onto the spring over.

HOLY CHRIST this is a LOT of work!

 

[chicago]

The seats are in...just need to weld up the frame. Ill figure the storage stuff out later. Right now, I just wanna move along and get started on the SOA process and see where that axle is gonna end up and what kind of drive shaft length Im gonna have.

BTW...the seats are COMFY!
I pitched the cradle up toward the front for a little recline...NIIIIZE!

 

[rusty_tlc]

Shawn runs a Confer mounted between the rear frame rails, I did to until I moved the axle back.
No problem if you can fit it.

 

[chicago]

Shawn runs a Confer mounted between the rear frame rails, I did to until I moved the axle back.
No problem if you can fit it.

I looked at that.
It looks to me that will be a prime target for my diff to hit once the axle is slung back.

RCI Racing 2172A - RCI Aluminum Fuel Cells - Overview - SummitRacing.com

This is what Im thinking MAY work once the axle is relocated.
I guess that Ill discover my options once that is done.
I measured under the rig. There IS room directly under the cargo area toward the driver. I could stub the filler neck through the floor and leave a hatch for access. The rear shock support may have to go though....

 

[chicago]

Then again...looking at it...the line ports will be in the way to make it flush!

DAMN

 

[locrwln1]

Ford tank.

Jack

 

[rusty_tlc]

Ford tank.

Jack

Pinto or Fiesta?