The two fold up seats that formed the third row of seating were practical but rarely used – we only used them twice and in both instances could have avoided doing so anyway. They were easily demountable, but their hinges and seat belt anchors remained in the way of fitting the custom made storage boxes I bought after last summer’s trip. Plans to modify the boxes to fit the space available, fitting them with quick-release fixings to allow rapid swaps between seating for normal use and sorage for trips, started becoming quite complicated and though I had a few ideas, none of them were entirely satisfactory.
To that end, I decided to bite the bullet and permanently remove the seats. They’ll be going into my friend’s 90 so that he can carry both of his kids with him. Meanwhile, the boxes have been secured to the wing tops using the bolt holes previously drilled for the seats and outboard cargo rails. The back of the right hand box had to be cut to fit around the fuel filler neck, and the centre section of the left side box’s base was cut out to allow access to the batteries int he 109’s rear tool box (not fitted on 110s).
Both boxes were powder coated grey, with as close a match as possible to the grey vinyl of the seats (the same vinyl from Exmoor Trim was used for the hard top side panels). It’s also matches the grey powder coat on the Mobile Storage rear-door cooker box.
I have fitted the over centre catches to the right hand box, but unfortunately Merlin Motorsport only sent one of the two pairs ordered, so the left box has had the rivet holes drilled but is awaiting the catches. Merlin were very good about the mistake and the second pair should arrive tomorrow.
I’m planning to cover the tops of the lids with sections of the same chequer-plate effect matting that the floor and wheel arches have, with a few D-rings to allow light weight items to be lashed to the top. I’m also waiting for some rubberised plastic U-channel from Holden Classic to cover the edges of the boxes, preventing the lids from rattling. Meanwhile, the seat belt anchors will remain in place so that rear seating can be refitted in the future, should it be required.
Nice one Nick. I’ve done the same to my 110 and you’ve also just answered what catches to use for those boxes! Just sent my order in to Merlins 🙂
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Dave
Excellent! Your giving me quite a head full of ideas for my 109.
Hi Nick,
Nice website. I have a duch militiry lightwieght and a defender 110. I am working of a full restauration of the 110. I did see your pictures of the storage boxes: http://www.nickslandrover.co.uk/less-seats-more-storage/
I was interested how you installed the second row seats? I have the dame in mind and have now seen your pictures. Did you make all parts at your own?
I hope you can inform m e a little bit? Do you have a pictue from the front side of the second row? I am interesed how far backwards you mounted the seats.
Nice site
Best regards
Marchel Gerbers
Hi Marcel,
I can’t get any measurements, but their position was dictated by the space taken for the folding seats to be stowed behind them and the position of the floor modification for their legroom, which itself was set by the Jerry can lockers. You don’t have to be specific unless you have other things to fit to the wheel arches, like rear seats or storage.
The outboard seat rails are bolted to the wheel arch tops with a few washers to get the rails above the rubber floor lining. The inboard rails are bolted to purpose-built supports made from 2mm sheet steel, folded along the edges and welded in the corners. These are bolted to the floor with 12.8 grade M8 bolts and substantial spreaders under the floor as they also mount the seat belt anchors and would be highly loaded in an accident. The height of the boxes matches the height of the wheel arch and their length matches the seat track – there is nothing complex and no hidden traps in their construction.
I don’t have access to the vehicle to post more photos, but searching more posts on the blog’s “interior” section may well show what you need.
Nick