In my introduction thread I mentioned installing a flat load floor in the CARDIS. As I've been asked about it I thought I'd post a few photos. Maybe it'll spark ideas for someone else.
First, here's what a stock Versa hatchback looks like with part of the back seat folded down (this isn't the CARDIS):
As you can see, the back seat doesn't fold anywhere near flat, but it does increase the load space to more than 50 cubic feet (from 18).
Now to get a flat load floor, a sane person would build a platform/storage unit to raise the back part up level with folded seats. Nissan also sells a "cargo organizer" that does the same thing.
But in the 11 years I had the VW Cabrio (the vehicle replaced by the CARDIS), I had someone in the back seat
maybe three times. So for me, removing the back seat made more sense than throwing away cargo space by raising the load floor.
Here's what a Versa hatchback looks like after you pull the back seat (side and rear views):
Here's the added underlayment. The styrofoam is to avoid creating a resonant chamber; it also protects what I presume is the fuel pump wiring.
Here's the naked load floor test-fitted without the stopper rails. The raised portion is to accommodate the little hump in the middle of the floor. I'd originally planned to put in a full-length load floor at that height so it would be perfectly flat. But the more I thought about it, the less I liked wasting that space. (Knowing Murphy it'd be no time before I'd be trying to load something that missed fitting by one inch... and cursing myself for having raised the whole floor.) I figure I can always build an additional platform to drop in if I ever find I need a perfectly flat surface for some reason.
And here's the finished product covered, stopper rails installed, and bolted in place:
Here's a semi-close-up from the front seat looking back, showing how it couples with the back seat kick rail:
And a close-up showing a stopper rail and the fit with the side panel (I may remove the shoulder harnesses at some point, but wanted to prove out the concept before going after the buried intertia reels):
Photos from Rick Rae on Flickr.
Two closing comments:
1) This wasn't my idea. Someone smarter than me did this to a different hatchback, and was generous enough to share his efforts with the world. All I did was rip off his concept. If I ever stumble across the discussion again I'll link to that thread to give him proper credit.
2) The goal for this mod wasn't fuel efficiency, which is why I didn't post this in EcoModding Central. But since the rear seat weighed almost 64 pounds and what I put in was around a dozen, this mod shed about 2% of the vehicle's curb weight (or roughly 1/3 of a person). And since weight has a bearing on matters, this could technically be seen as a fuel efficiency mod.
Still left to do: Fabricate a mat from some leftover gray carpet to lay over the whole shebang for protection when I'm making a garbage run or hauling firewood or what-have-you.
Cheers,
Rick
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