Dual Purpose Rear Seat / Cargo Area Ideas

[mjonesjr84]

I'm wanting to make my rear seat/cargo area dual purpose, meaning I want to be able to remove the seat and add in Milwaukee Packout boxes for when I'm going trail riding and remove them and re-install the rear seat when I want to take the kids on a ride.

I'm thinking something like this mounted under the seat for putting the Packouts in. In the Packout boxes will be my recovery gear, spare parts, and tools. These will obviously come back out when I wanted the rear seat in.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1659285759/dual-heavy-duty-low-profile-slim-packout

I Would leave this plate, that I currently have, installed so when I put the seat back in I could put in the smaller Packouts with the minimal tools needed and slide the slim Packout socket set under the seat.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1659501937/single-heavy-duty-low-profile-slim

All of this would mean removing the Tuffy InstaTrunk to make it work. This would also give me usable space for a cooler (or powered refrigerator) when on the trail.

Have any of you done something similar to your rear seat/cargo area?

 

[DuckNut]

I had this one in an LJ (seat can remain in). Two boxes and one cooler, just like in the pictures. Some day I will put it in this LJ. Has a locking mechanism where the boxes are locked in place and can't be removed without removing the lock. One more lock on the lids and all gear is secure.

https://prosteelproducts.com/products/revised-heavy-duty-packout-plate-triple

 

[CMBD]

Had plans for another setup but I still need a back seat sometimes. Im doing this for now. Aircraft style seat track from here https://www.uscargocontrol.com/collections/airline-straps-hardware .

Was going to be temporary, but I like it

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

Had plans for another setup but I still need a back seat sometimes. Im doing this for now. Aircraft style seat track from here https://www.uscargocontrol.com/collections/airline-straps-hardware .

Was going to be temporary, but I like it

View attachment 576933

View attachment 576934

View attachment 576935

I like this. Very modular.

 

[JoseA]

I made a plywood insert and bolted the Milwaukee packout mounting plate. The only downside is that I have to remove the plywood insert to put seat down.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/off-road-equipment-storage-question.76512/post-1495991

 

[ChadH]

the L-Track option is a good one. You could also make a base plate out of wood, or metal, that you then can bolt things to. If you do it right it could fit between the seat brackets and floor and still be plenty strong for the kids in a potential wreck.

Not exactly applicable but the idea stands. Here is what I am working on. Note though that the base plate is bolted using existing holes. I don't have the seat brackets nor do I have the correct bolts for those holes - this is a very dirty working template. But the idea could be having some type of metal bracketed fabricated that provides a solid attachment for both seat brackets and base plate, then you can drill, screw, bolt whatever you want. You could even make the base plate removal entirely. not pictured well here though is the box portion is bolted into the base plate using these - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZNJNXXT/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I suggest securing the packout plate to the bed using nutserts. That way it would be very easy to quickly remove it when you put the seat in, and you can locate it anywhere and not have to worry about it interfering with the seat.

I have a bunch of stuff secured to the bed in this manner.

 

[WestCoastDan]

I've never seen a stripped-down/unupholstered rear seat frame, but couldn't a donor seat base (along w/ the latching mechanism) be removed/modified for these metal packout plates to either bolt or weld to?
Imagine this type/style of plate that installs & locks into the factory rear seat location...

And with a quick release of the factory latching mechanism, this could be removed and the seat reinstalled without tools.

 

[mjonesjr84]

I suggest securing the packout plate to the bed using nutserts. That way it would be very easy to quickly remove it when you put the seat in, and you can locate it anywhere and not have to worry about it interfering with the seat.

I have a bunch of stuff secured to the bed in this manner.

Rivnuts were my plan to mount the Packout plate. It would have either been that or stainless self tappers.

I've never seen a stripped-down/unupholstered rear seat frame, but couldn't a donor seat base (along w/ the latching mechanism) be removed/modified for these metal packout plates to either bolt or weld to?
Imagine this type/style of plate that installs & locks into the factory rear seat location...
View attachment 577027

And with a quick release of the factory latching mechanism, this could be removed and the seat reinstalled without tools.

I want it as low as possible so I don't have to go back and forth with the seat bases. I can remove the Packouts as a group and leave the mount, even possibly leaving the slim socket set Packout in the mount under the seat.

 

[JMT]

When I thought about using Milwaukee Packouts I planned to use nutserts to mount the bases.

 

[JMT]

even possibly leaving the slim socket set Packout in the mount under the seat

I have a subwoofer box I built mounted under the rear seat, so it's possible to get something under there. Check the dimensions of the socket set packout and I can get the measurements of my box (which is pretty snug under the rear seat) if that will help.

 

[mjonesjr84]

I have a subwoofer box I built mounted under the rear seat, so it's possible to get something under there. Check the dimensions of the socket set packout and I can get the measurements of my box (which is pretty snug under the rear seat) if that will help.

The Packout sockets are under there now and it is tight towards the rear of the seat.

This is the set that I have.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...M1RGD4eTDFueWGwBwPxoC3OIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[JMT]

The Packout sockets are under there now and it is tight towards the rear of the seat.

This is the set that I have.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...M1RGD4eTDFueWGwBwPxoC3OIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Duh. Sorry for the dumb suggestion of measuring. LOL.

IIRC, the smaller packouts will fit behind the rear seat. Just another option if you wanted to keep the rear seat.

 

[mjonesjr84]

Duh. Sorry for the dumb suggestion of measuring. LOL.

IIRC, the smaller packouts will fit behind the rear seat. Just another option if you wanted to keep the rear seat.

View attachment 577048

I have the small mount with 2 boxes in the Tuffy Instatrunk. It's just not enough to store what I want to carry on the trail. All of my recovery gear and air hose is lose under the back seat. I figured that mounting a couple packout where the seat goes would secure that and add more storage. I had a soft shackle go flying last weekend

 

[JMT]

I have the small mount with 2 boxes in the Tuffy Instatrunk. It's just not enough to store what I want to carry on the trail. All of my recovery gear and air hose is lose under the back seat. I figured that mounting a couple packout where the seat goes would secure that and add more storage. I had a soft shackle go flying last weekend

View attachment 577055

That's very interesting. I will consider that for my own InstaTrunk setup. Right now things are in ammo cans or bags and crammed in there. At least everything is secure.

 

[mjonesjr84]

That's very interesting. I will consider that for my own InstaTrunk setup. Right now things are in ammo cans or bags and crammed in there. At least everything is secure.

I put the link to the small mount from Etsy in the first post. It is more than Milwaukee's but has a smaller footprint, is not as tall, and is all metal. IF my sub wasn't where it is, I could have moved it over and back a bit and got a slim Packout on the top of those 2.

 

[Apparition]

The Packout sockets are under there now and it is tight towards the rear of the seat.

This is the set that I have.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...M1RGD4eTDFueWGwBwPxoC3OIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

That's my favorite socket set.

 

[mjonesjr84]

That's my favorite socket set.

I have their impact rated sets in 3/8 and 1/2 in my toolbox as an everyday use. I'll frequently grab the M18 3/8 or 1/2 impact and use it. I've broken many Craftsman sockets doing this so I just switched to all impact.

 

[Apparition]

I have their impact rated sets in 3/8 and 1/2 in my toolbox as an everyday use. I'll frequently grab the M18 3/8 or 1/2 impact and use it. I've broken many Craftsman sockets doing this so I just switched to all impact.

I like turning ratchets when I can. I have the 1/2" packout impact socket set if I'm using the electric tools.

 

[mjonesjr84]

I like turning ratchets when I can. I have the 1/2" packout impact socket set if I'm using the electric tools.

I'm the same way but sometimes a bolt needs a little persuasion