REAR SEAT DELETE R&R

[Voodooo]

How about just spray it with that trunk liner stuff and call it a day?

Why? I have to install the R delete mat yet. The R's look the same. Just E coat. Nothing else.

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[GTA Mustang]

Sorry what I meant was:

Instead of paying all that money for something that is essentially a piece of molded carpet, why not just spray the exposed metal surfaces in the ex. rear seat area with truck bed liner material to dampen the noise and to give it a finished look. For separation with the trunk you can bolt on a sheet of 1/4" light weight plywood a la Lotus and cover it with whatever material you want to make it looked finished. Looks like you are not keen on keeping everything original so why spend all that money on original parts?

 

[Epiphany]

That opening is begging for an x-style brace ala the Boss LS.

 

[Voodooo]

I like the oem look. I'm not concerned with noise. The long tubes, off road exhaust, suspension noise is something I enjoy.

 

[Voodooo]

That opening is begging for an x-style brace ala the Boss LS.

I plan on making one.

 

[C7 B8]

Please post weights of take-off parts and RSD kit. Thx!

 

[krt22]

That opening is begging for an x-style brace ala the Boss LS.

I read somewhere it's not needed due to the extra stiffness the S550 chassis offers. Why add weight if it does not offer any benefit.

 

[Voodooo]

I know. But it's more for looks. Can't be to stiff.

 

[Epiphany]

I read somewhere it's not needed due to the extra stiffness the S550 chassis offers. Why add weight if it does not offer any benefit.

I forget the torsional stiffness increase that used to be quoted for the LS brace (10% increase IIRC) but I have to believe that a diagonal link(s) would indeed increase the stiffness of the S550 as well, albeit at a reduced number when compared to the S197 chassis. The cabin is wide open from the firewall to the rear of the car. A shear panel or brace could only help.

 

[krt22]

I forget the torsional stiffness increase that used to be quoted for the LS brace (10% increase IIRC) but I have to believe that a diagonal link(s) would indeed increase the stiffness of the S550 as well, albeit at a reduced number when compared to the S197 chassis. The cabin is wide open from the firewall to the rear of the car. A shear panel or brace could only help.

You would think if it really helps, Ford would have added it to the R (like they did with the LS). Considering the measures added to shave a few pounds here and there on the car, I'm guessing they did the calculation and found it unwarranted compared to the weight it adds.

 

[Epiphany]

Considering the measures added to shave a few pounds here and there on the car, I'm guessing they did the calculation and found it unwarranted compared to the weight it adds.

Entirely plausible. Somebody deemed the benefit to cost or benefit to weight ratio to not be worth the effort, at the production level anyway. I can say that the x-brace for the LS is extremely light, coming in around ~6.6lbs. Considering Ford added over 12lbs in damper weights to the tail of the TR3160 to help quell NVH concerns, that six pounds becomes rather insignificant.

 

[Voodooo]

Ok guys I have it all installed. Here's a few tips.
The package tray trim where the seat backs latch onto (the striker) once you remove those, the RSD uses the outer bolt hole to fasten the RSD to. You must put a hole into the package tray trim to allow the RSD to be bolted in place. I used a old screwdriver and got it red hot so it wouldn't fray the cloth trim. This works great because it also melts the holes edge so it won't unravel. Also the lower bolt hole Ontop the driveshaft tunnel is a blank hole (just a die punch out, no threads) I used a rivitnut or thread insert. I didn't measure the threads but I'll post the size tomorrow. In all from rear seat removal, seat belt removal And RSD labor time is about 90 minutes or so. I put the seat belt bolts back in place along with the child seat ancor bolts. Just in case I ever decide to put the seats back in. I'll weigh all the rear seat parts tomorrow. The RSD is light. I'd guess maybe 2-4 pounds.

 

[Voodooo]

For a hour now I've been trying to post the pics. Something is going on with my phone. I'll keep trying.

 

[Voodooo]

Installed. Just waiting on seat belt bezels.

 

[TexanZSG21]

Looks good! Definitely something I'd like to pick up, just not sure I agree with how much the factory piece is.

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