Hi all, I'm planning on removing the rear seats and I want to create a hinged cover to help keep the the back area flat.

I want to do this because I use my Fit for car camping, hauling my dog, bikes etc. I'd like to basically keep the back flat while creating a hidden compartment under the panel. (typically where your feet would go if you were sitting the back)

Has anyone done anything similar?

Any idea where I can get somewhat matching carpet? Or maybe a template for the panel shape?

I have a 2010 MT Fit Sport

 

I like this idea! Reduced weight, increased storage. I have no idea how to make something like this, but I bet this mod would be very popular.

 

Talking a bit out of my depth, but maybe make a template yourself from cardboard? Then when you have the shape jigsaw some 1/2 cabinet grade ply?

 

Too easy. I was going to suggest the cardboard template as well.

or

a piece of cake. If I need more just fold the second row into the floor. A couple weeks ago I hauled a 4 x 8 sheet of drywall for neighbour.

p.s. regardless of what car you drive throw a cheap plastic tarp in the trunk. Well save some nasty spill clean up.

 

Yea tarp got me thinking that maybe I'll use 1/2" MDF. The same stuff as what they use in cabinets.

Good thinking on the cardboard.

 

I'd suggest decent plywood over MDF. MDF breaks down quite quickly if it gets damp, and IIRC is rather heavier and thicker for the same strength. It's mainly used in cabinets because it's inexpensive and it's consistent/homogeneous. (For things like speaker cabinets, it also has some nice acoustic properties, mainly due to the density and uniformity which makes it less likely to resonate objectionably. For your use, that's completely irrelevant.)

You could probably get by with 1/4" or 3/8" plywood if you added some stiffening framework. 1" square wood might be about right, or some aluminum extrusions (square, U channel, or even angle/L shaped would be quite stiff and lightweight and not too hard to work with). Iron or steel would also work, of course.

If you use some tubing of the right diameter, you could probably rig things up so that the original floor bracket for the seat bottom will support/latch the new panels when they're shut.

 

Good call on the MDF. I heard a lot about plywood warping in a hot car though. Anyway to prevent that?

 

Ok I have an update!

Check it out!

Honda Fit Cargo - Imgur

 

Well done. Congrats.

 

Bit late to the thread but i was thinking about this. What about marine fiberglass? It comes in cloth sheets with a brush on epoxy. I made the back of a terrarium with it once and it was quite strong for the weight, waterproof and painted easily. i made a mold out of foam from craft store, applied petroleum jelly, laid the fiberglass cloth and brushed on the epoxy. Each angle would have to be an added sheet of cloth and it would need to be sanded but i think it would work. maybe after winter i will try it.