Removing 3rd row flooring, what to fill recesses with?

[EddieC]

Wouldn't the insulation/foam solutions pose a difficulty if it needed to be removed in the future (when you sell)?

Our plywood and 2x3 platform comes right out.

 

[iamdub]

For the bolts..Not sure if they sell set screws that big or I can cut a threaded rod into pieces maybe.. but then maybe ill just grind the bolts down to shallow domes..Heck if I can find plastic or rubber plugs, I might silicone them in place..and on the bottom..usually need a few plans, for when something doesnt go as planned!

If you can't find set screws that large or just want cheap solution and since you have a grinder, put a cut-off disc (AKA "Death Disc) on it.

Back the bolts out a few turns, chop it down near the floor, cut a slot across the remaining shank then screw it down with a large screwdriver. Won't cost you anything but maybe one Death Disc. If you can determine exactly where you wanna cut it, you can mark one and remove all of 'em, measure and cut 'em outside the vehicle so you don't get the sparks and metal dust in there. Could even use a band saw if you have one and hold the bolts with locking pliers.

 

[mikez71]

Only an issue if the new owner wants 3rd row.

Wouldn't the insulation/foam solutions pose a difficulty if it needed to be removed in the future (when you sell)?

Wut? NEVER!

Yep thought about grinding bolts.. maybe ill surround them with rubber instead since they arent taller than the ribs.. Checked out harborfreight but the pads were a little foamy, had to go downtown to Capitol Rubber and get this stuff..

MAN's rubber! 1/4" and cuts with scissors.. Dont want to add up all the money I spent on weathertech and vinyl and rubber..Would definately get a 4' square mat of this if I had to haul around heavy car parts..

 

[mikez71]

little progress. used plastic drywall insert screws to plug bolts holes, little silicone on top. Ground down bolts would be better as suggested, I'm worried the nuts are on a plate below that may vibrate, doubtful but maaaybe.. i didnt feel like getting covered in steel dust for this project tho..

three 1/4" thick rubber pads in the divots, ended up about 1/8 proud of the lower floor. added a few strips to mimic the raised areas. but the rubber strips on the base floor are about 1/8" shy of the ridged floor. maybe a mix if 1/4" AND 3/8" thick rubber would have been more more better.

3rd row headrests for everyone! Vinyl floor tomorrow..

I started cutting jute mat for all recessed grooves, said forget it, didnt want a bunch of glued in bits everywhere, but i do think it would help (as well as more rubber strips or pouring some resin/urethane/rubber.. heck even caulking all the valleys would help..) but i have to wrap it up, will have to settle for a flatter floor, though STILL NOT a comfortable one.

 

[EddieC]

Nice job.
Third row seating is the reason we did not buy certain vehicles.
Our entire back area, including 2nd row seats, were cleared and a platform built when we bought our Tahoe to make a dog hauler for competitions.

 

[mikez71]

Thanks, really doesnt feel worth it for the time/money spent, but had to level it some, so no regrets.

Am thinking about a removable box/platform that can level with folded rear seats, and is light light enough to pull out..

 

[j91z28d1]

did you try the weather tech mat on your knees? I have horrible knees and mine seems to work well when I'm back there. I'm not sure I've felt any of the ribs? at least I haven't been bothered by them.

 

[mikez71]

i have not. i have the front and passenger weathertechs, but no cargo. Do you have a third row? Also the patched jute was a little bit thinner than original.. Would have bought new factory jute, but the shipping was ridiculous..

 

[j91z28d1]

what's a jute?

I have the 3row out, the whether tech fits nicely and is molded to cover parts where the 3rd row hooks into. it's honestly nice and simple. I put the leading edge under the plastic cover so it's flush loading and unloading.

the little 4 peice cargo block things are totally worth the money too. they have a rubber on the bottom that works very well with the mat rubber. put them around anything and nothing slides around. pack them around groceries and potted plants. nothing slides or falls over.

the price was a bit high and I almost didn't but the plastic parts where the 3rd row seats hooked in were pretty beat up. my truck was well used in the cargo section. this covered all that up and is very useful.

 

[mikez71]

Jute is that padding under the carpet.

Good to hear about those weathertech blocks, they looked like a cool idea.

I was going to use that thick rubber. Figure that could be laid over things to keep them in place, but its too smelly for now!

Might redo some of the rubber 'ribs' I put underneath, bigger with a little taper on the edges..

Are you telling me you can't feel the hardware through the weathertech mat when you put your knee over it? If so, thats pretty impressive!

 

[mikez71]

Vinyl flooring is unforgiving! Carpet makes up for a multitude of sins..
I couldn't take it anymore. Got some 3/8" thick rubber interlocking floor tiles from home depot. Would have preferred solid rubber, which is easier to cut and not crumbly, but the tiles were cheaper. Should have bought 3/8" to begin with.

used 3 out of 4 tiles, but still using my old rubber pieces in the seat latch holes. The diamond tread rubber pieces were cut to put over the lower raised ridges. about 1/8" to 3/16" thick. I was hoping they wouldn't be needed, but even those shallow little 1-2" squares (tip of scissor) are VERY noticeable through the jute and 2 layers of vinyl!

Not done in the photo, but u get the idea.

UPDATE: Worth it! Knees feel good! No more wobbling/pain over the ridges. Probably faster and easier to pour some polyurethane, as was recommended, but if you want to play with scissors all day long..

 

[ccole]

Great idea on the tile. I filled the concave spots with sound deadening material and closed cell foam. As mentioned previously the carpet I used is more forgiving than vinyl. I used the highest quality automotive carpet from an upholstery shop and it turned out better than expected.

The wife and I have relaxed back there watching the sunset. Rather comfy especially since I used 100% coverage with jute after the sound treatment materials.

Hardcore acoustic treatment of my truck has been one of my favorite upgrades.

 

[Scrappycrow]

I'm late to the party, but a suggestion for anyone doing a future endeavor like this is to use "casting compound." It's not inexpensive, but will flow and form a level rubber surface, and you can get it in different stiffnesses. If you use a release agent beforehand, it'd be easily removable.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[EddieC]

I'm late to the party, but a suggestion for anyone doing a future endeavor like this is to use "casting compound." It's not inexpensive, but will flow and form a level rubber surface, and you can get it in different stiffnesses. If you use a release agent beforehand, it'd be easily removable.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

That's interesting. Wonder if it would do a large area and still be removable.
I miss the old days when the vehicles had a one piece insulated flexible vinyl like floor covering.