Removing Rear Seat Belts..?

[alaska2baja]

I've deleted the rear seats in my SuperCab in order to construct a gear platform, therefore no need for the seatbelts. I ordered up the trim panel from the XL model to clean up the rear wall but having difficulty figuring out how to get access to the retractable seat belt mechanism. Searched online for a tutorial but no luck in directions on how to remove plastic. Really don't want to yank and pull and risk breaking mounting tabs without knowing what's back there. Anybody remove this panel yet?

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[DT444T]

Yeah. You have to remove that panel to do the factory Brake Controller install. Start with the door seal and then the bottom of the door with the dust plate or whatever they call it. Work your way around, slowly. The C pillar trim, where the seatbelt comes out of the wall, is two separate pieces. Bottom comes out first (where your arrow is pointing).

Most of that is just the plastic connectors, but based on the fact that you have those plastic pry bars I think you know what you're doing.

 

[alaska2baja]

Yeah. You have to remove that panel to do the factory Brake Controller install. Start with the door seal and then the bottom of the door with the dust plate or whatever they call it. Work your way around, slowly. The C pillar trim, where the seatbelt comes out of the wall, is two separate pieces. Bottom comes out first (where your arrow is pointing).

Most of that is just the plastic connectors, but based on the fact that you have those plastic pry bars I think you know what you're doing.

Thank for the tips Jake. I worked on it a bit today before the rain started but was not successful in getting the lower panel to release. I'll have another go tomorrow. Did you actually remove the door seal or just work behind it?

 

[DT444T]

The rubber door seal just pulls up and presses back into place over a seam. It's not glued in or anything. Just pull it out. I only removed where it needed to be out of the way and left the rest in place. Makes it easier to put back.

 

[Espo78]

Have you considered leaving the seat belts and just putting a notch in your platform for the buckles? Not sure what you plan on storing on the platform but the factory belts work well for securing items that don't need a permanent install. I used the factory belts to strap in a cooler and it worked well.

 

[Trigganometry]

I see the vent on the back wall but the detail of it still has me scratching my head. Is it a one way flap vent or is each of the squares a flap in itself. I swear all my road noise is coming from these.

 

[alaska2baja]

Have you considered leaving the seat belts and just putting a notch in your platform for the buckles? Not sure what you plan on storing on the platform but the factory belts work well for securing items that don't need a permanent install. I used the factory belts to strap in a cooler and it worked well.

I did consider that but the platform I am designing will have it's own retention strap system utilizing the old seat back retention loops in the rear and L-track on the front edge. I have found that the seat belts and buckles bounce around and slam into plastic walls on washboard roads and it drives me nuts. I am typically on certain sections of very rough washboard roads in Baja for 4-7 hour stretches and therefore I work hard to limit noise and issues with rubbing that wear holes in plastic parts, metal and paint and scratch glass.

 

[alaska2baja]

I see the vent on the back wall but the detail of it still has me scratching my head. Is it a one way flap vent or is each of the squares a flap in itself. I swear all my road noise is coming from these.

Rick, the vents are one-way and only open out. It is my understanding that the need/function is to allow air to escape when doors are closed and in the event of airbag deployment. I agree that most of my road noise does indeed come from that location. I am in the process of adding some sound deadening to that back cab wall and the seat delete panel that I ordered has a backing of dense automotive carpet on the back. Hopefully, these two applications will help.

 

[Trigganometry]

Rick, the vents are one-way and only open out. It is my understanding that the need/function is to allow air to escape when doors are closed and in the event of airbag deployment. I agree that most of my road noise does indeed come from that location. I am in the process of adding some sound deadening to that back cab wall and the seat delete panel that I ordered has a backing of dense automotive carpet on the back. Hopefully, these two applications will help.

Ok, now it’s making sense! I’m planning on soundproofing mine this summer as it does require removal of plenty of trim and carpet. I will probably get some 3/16 of an inch thick felt and cover the 2 of these. It will still breathe but definitely knock down the sound.

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