[LittleBlackDuck]

Originally Posted by MPGee

Thanks all, for your input.

So far, everything I've done to my car is reversible, should I decide to sell the car. I'm not 100% certain I want to keep the rear seats out, as my needs may change.

Old Tele Man, I've seen some pics of builds where people built a straight plywood platform, to have a level load floor. That might be OK, but I'm concerned about weight. I'm trying to lighten things - not add them back!

After a few day's contemplation, I'm trying out making the pictured area where the rear seats were as my primary cargo area; e.g., I fill that area first, when loading the car. That way (hopefully), the mass of my items helps absorb some of the sound energy. A possible issue is items sliding off the front of the seats, down to the floor, during harder stops. If this proves to be a good plan, I might cut a thin strip of plywood out as a ledge and bolt it on using the existing seat bolts & holes, and maybe even get some matching fabric to make it and the bare seat area a little more presentable.

I primarily listen to podcasts & talk radio, and it's frustrating to not be able to understand what they are saying because of road noise (and I value my hearing enough that I don't like the workaround of cranking up the volume).

How about putting a layer of plastic film over the floor to protect it, then place a plywood false floor and fill the space between them with expanding foam. The plastic will give a more robust outer surface and make it release cleanly from the floor whilst still bonding to the ply. Once cured it can be trimmed up and made more presentable. Be wary of the foam leaking out the sides and filling holes in the body. A variation on this (filling a plastic bag with the foam and sitting in it) is how I made custom fitted seat inserts to minimise body movement in my go kart.

Simon