SuperCab Rear Seat Delete….Delete

[DukeCanBuildit]

Last summer, I posted in another thread about reversing my SuperCab’s rear seat delete. It’s more than just a rear seat delete reversal, so I thought it would be easier to reference or share with others if it was in its own “Projects” thread…

I reversed my Rear Seat Delete, returning the back of the cab to stock seating. I noticed right away that it was actually louder than when the seats were out.

Heart arrhythmia from Long COVID (for those who know our situation, yep, still) prevents my wife from being able sit upright for more than 5 minutes and prolonged noise can bring on headaches and make it difficult for her to concentrate. This has meant making a few adjustments with furniture and renting a reclining wheelchair when she needs to go for doctor appointments, vaccines, etc. Driving her anywhere means she has to recline her seat to ride in my truck, and this puts her head in the rear of the cab, which was now noisier than before. I needed to do something about that.

I could easily have bought some Kilmat but I had a ton of leftover sound deadening insulation/heat shield from from when a mouse or squirrel tried to make a home in the hood liner of my Passat. I checked and I had enough for the rear wall of the cab. It’s quite thick, but squishy and I knew there would be challenges but I could make it work. So, the seats came back out and I got busy.

This first image shows the earlier Rear Seat Delete…

The following images show the stages of the reversal…

• I cut pieces to fill the larger concave areas of the back wall first
• I traced out the main panel that would cover the wall
• I then cut that main panel into workable pieces to install them
• Finally, I put the seats back in and went for a test drive

Because of its thickness, I couldn’t cover every square inch like with Kilmat, or things wouldn’t go back together properly. However, it was way easier than Kilmat to install and I’m pleased with the result - a reduction of 10-12 db at cruising speed.

More importantly, Mrs. DukeCanBuildit is a lot more comfortable. ??

There is a storage area under the rear passenger side seat that can be removed to access the rear cab floor. Round two will involve covering that area and the open cavity on the driver’s side where the Jack is stored.

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[AzScorpion]

Nice job Duke! Since you're retired now you won't be needed all that space with the seat delete. ?

I know we've talked several times about Mrs Duke and I really hope they can one day find a cure for this. It saddens me to think she has to live like this and you're a good man doing this and everything else you've done for her. ? One day my friend I pray everything will be better.

 

[NotBudule]

Might help quite a bit soundproofing the rear door on her side , if she's reclining back there , they are a little hollow sounding, not sure how big a pain they are to get off though...

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Nice job Duke! Since you're retired now you won't be needed all that space with the seat delete. ?

I know we've talked several times about Mrs Duke and I really hope they can one day find a cure for this. It saddens me to think she has to live like this and you're a good man doing this and everything else you've done for her. ? One day my friend I pray everything will be better.

Thanks Dave - I really appreciate your kind words and support.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Might help quite a bit soundproofing the rear door on her side , if she's reclining back there , they are a little hollow sounding, not sure how big a pain they are to get off though...

Great idea - it doesn’t really matter how hard they are to remove or how many clips I break I need projects in my retirement. ?

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

Being a newbie I have not been aware of your situation. I have gained a lot of respect and admiration for you Duke! I too pray that your wife is able to find some normalcy again. It takes true strength to provide like this, I wish you an abundance of it!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Doesn't most of the rear noise come from the two large vents ?

Yes, much of it does and the seat backs help soften it a bit. I wanted the intended benefits of the vents to remain in place while doing what I could to make things quieter.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Being a newbie I have not been aware of your situation. I have gained a lot of respect and admiration for you Duke! I too pray that your wife is able to find some normalcy again. It takes true strength to provide like this, I wish you an abundance of it!

Thanks Adam - much appreciated.

 

[LaBalbe]

Duke, I'm really sorry to hear that you're going through this. For a little over a decade, I've been trying to support my wife through her own health issues, which have included seeing 13 different specialists and 4 extended hospital stays, the longest being 2 months. To say that it's been brutal is an understatement, and while I regret the life I had planned on and what was missed, I know that I did the right thing by staying by her, both for her and our child.

I'm glad that you've found the strength and courage to open up about it to others; it took me a few years before I did, but once I did, I found a lot of support for myself and realized just how much I needed it. I don't know if I would have made it had I not. I'm sure that you've curated a little support network for yourself, but I'm not that far out of the city if you need to grab a coffee or a pint & just shoot the breeze.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Duke, I'm really sorry to hear that you're going through this. For a little over a decade, I've been trying to support my wife through her own health issues, which have included seeing 13 different specialists and 4 extended hospital stays, the longest being 2 months. To say that it's been brutal is an understatement, and while I regret the life I had planned on and what was missed, I know that I did the right thing by staying by her, both for her and our child.

I'm glad that you've found the strength and courage to open up about it to others; it took me a few years before I did, but once I did, I found a lot of support for myself and realized just how much I needed it. I don't know if I would have made it had I not. I'm sure that you've curated a little support network for yourself, but I'm not that far out of the city if you need to grab a coffee or a pint & just shoot the breeze.

Wow - that’s a lot to absorb.

First, my thoughts go out to you, your wife and your child. You’re a good man and we can always use more good men.

Second, I really appreciate your offer of support. It really means a lot, especially coming from someone who already has others that lean on him - like I said, you’re a good man.

I’ll be in touch one day about that coffee.

 

[LaBalbe]

Wow - that’s a lot to absorb.

First, my thoughts go out to you, your wife and your child. You’re a good man and we can always use more good men.

Second, I really appreciate your offer of support. It really means a lot, especially coming from someone who already has others that lean on him - like I said, you’re a good man.

I’ll be in touch one day about that coffee.

You are too, my friend. I'll PM you my contact info.

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