Underseat Storage
100% complete
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The original seat pan needs to be made a bit stronger since I am 240lbs. To fix this and add some storage at the same time, I'm adding molded plastic seat storage pans. The pan will add some strength and aluminum angle bracket along the edges of the storage pan will add even more strength. Before starting this I added two layers of fiberglass to the seat. |
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Test fitting of the storage pans. Had to make sure that they did not interfere with any control tubes, wiring or gas lines. |
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Here the storage pans have been riveted in place with stainless steel 1/8" x 1/4" rivets. Backing washers are used on the back side so the rivets do not pull thru the plastic pan. Here also you can see aluminum hinge has been cut to size and the 1/16" aluminum angle stock has been cut to size as well. The wood shown allows the angle to protrude enough into the opening to form a lip for the lid to rest on. |
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Here everything has been drilled and is being held in position with clecos. You can see how 1/16" angle forms a support for the lid here. Also note that the hinge is longer on the bottom so as to provide more support to the plastic pan. |
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The front edge of the pan is a bit more interesting. The aluminum angle on the left is 1/16", the aluminum angle on the right (along the front edge of the seat) needs to be stronger and is 1/8". The angles overlap at the corner shown here and are riveted together for added strength. Along the front edge, a 1"x7" strip of 1/16" aluminum takes up the gap and protrudes out into the opening by 1/4" to provide a lip for the seat to rest on. |
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Here is a closer view of the front edge along the seat where you can see the 1/16" sheet in the gap providing the lip for the lid. |
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Everything test fit and ready to rivet. |
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Riveting complete, bottom view. Note the backup washers used. |
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Finished view from the top. Functional storage and the seat is MUCH stronger. I probably doubled the weight of the seat but considering my weight (240lbs) and the problems that people have had I think the weight is worth it in this case. |