Vehicle Seat Mod, Legality?

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kevinmrowland

kevinmrowland

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www.wagongear.com
All that wasted space under the front seats of my 60 has always bothered me.

Just recently I came up with the idea of cutting out the entire portion of the floor under the seats and building a 3/8" steel box in its place to house two drawers (one on each side) that would pull out perpendicular to the truck.
The seat would be mounted flat on the top of the box.
It would end up looking much like an FJ40 under seat gas tank.
It would not afford that much room but would be enough to empty my rear tool drawer into, move all that weight forward and leave room in the back for more camping supplies.
I am really sold on the idea, and I was exited about doing it and showing everybody my great new idea, I think it would be plenty strong and secure enough,
...............then I got to thinking, is this legal? can I cut out and replace an integral safety oriented piece of my truck and still be road legal?

What do you guys think?
:cheers:

Oh, and my above description is very basic, there is not much clearance, the transfer case is in the way of a straight drawer, the parking brake would need to be moved..............
 
unless there is an amazing "safety check" and people that actually know waht to look for. Nobody would know the difference.

My seats are mounted to the cage. Not stock, but certianly stronger than stock..
 
kevinmrowland said:
Thats what I'm thinking, but then, you know at customs checks when they run the little mirrors under your car, what are they looking for?, boxes cut into the floor. It might raise some eyebrows.

Maybe if I make it slick enough, I could pass it off as a "rare" OEM feature :D
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True, a border crossing could possibly turn into a nightmare. Maybe if the drawers in the box could be completely removed where you could see out the other side. It is a cool idea though, I was thinking of something similar the other day, must be in the air.
 
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Wasted space??

You must have an amazing tool drawer. Under my drivers seat I keep: OEM jack (too short for my truck tho'), rods that drop spare tire, tow strap, wd40, battery post cleaner, Haynes manual, pocket chainsaw, flashlight, shop rags, window scraper w/brush and a 50ish piece tool kit. Pass seat w/heater stores rope (to tie down loads on roof rack) & spare wiper blades. Rear seat has jumper cables, 4way lug nut spinner, pooper bags for k9's, pooper paper for humans, shorty shovel, spare gloves x2, and a portable hammock. Room for more stuff once I realize I need it, (after I evict the chimpmunk that moved in, again) and I haven't even gotten to the rear cargo panels. :lol:

You'd def. want to make it slick if you go through border patrol: they might think you had illegal aliens stuffed in there. :skull:
 
There used to be a shop in Caracas when I got my first Cruiser that specialized in custom storage cut into the floors. I was interested in the gun locker under the rear seat, but they also offered a drawer setup like you describe. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures, and I never got around to doing the mod (big regrets)....
 
Exiled said:
There used to be a shop in Caracas when I got my first Cruiser that specialized in custom storage cut into the floors. I was interested in the gun locker under the rear seat, but they also offered a drawer setup like you describe. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures, and I never got around to doing the mod (big regrets)....
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You tease :flipoff2:

I suppose this shop does not have a website? Would be very neat to see some other ideas.
 
I have modified many more important parts on vehicles other than the seat supports and have never once considered anything I did to be illegal. Just use good sound design and workmanship. Hell, if modifying a seat is a violation, I may be up for life without parole. :eek:
 
Nobody would know untill after the accident and the police were looking at the forensics of why the driver/passenger died in the truck you owned once uppon a time and decided to modify..... (I'd be carefull)
 
I modifed my feet by putting boots on them. I hope I never step on anyone'es toe. They might sue me!

Holy Pointless Worries, Batman!!! ;)
 
I personally don't have to worry about that, see... I live in CANADA, we don't sue each other every time someone sneezes - or serves a thumb in your Wendy's©* chilli.

*Wendy's is a copyright of the Wendy's corperation and I use it only as reference to prove a point, not forthwithstanding any negative hullabaloo nor intended punitive damages. I reserve the right to retract my statement at any point in time. Always wear your seatbelt.
 
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kevinmrowland said:
That is a really good point, you may want to get liability insurance on your boots.

:grinpimp: :cheers:
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oooh, You're right. I'll probably swap them for a pair of soft slippers. Only socially responsible thing to do you know. ;)



Mark...
 
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