RS America Rear Shelf in my SC Project, Pics needed

[Kemo]

I'm sure some of you have tossed out the back seats and built a rear shelf in its place similar to an RS America. Does anyone have any pics of this project and what materials did you use? I was thinking of tackling this project in the spring and i was wondering how it would look and the weight savings/loss. I was unable to find anyone that makes a repro of the RS america shelf, much less any pictures. Does anyone have pics of an OEM shelf?


Thanks,

[sfmlaw17]

I was going to tackle this very project this winter. The easy answer would be to use thinner cabinet grade plywood or pressboard and cover with black carpet. From what I understand it is a friction fit. I thought about a using locking hinge on the inside of the exterior edge so I could take it out and stowe int he trunk if necesarry to fit the kids back there unexpectantly. Let me know what direction you go. I also considered doing the same thing, but out of fiberglass for weight savings. I would think there is some weight GAIN if made out of all but the thinnest wood.

[Jack Olsen]

Yeah, I've seen the factory pieces, and it seems unlikely to me that they're lighter than the seats they replace. Admittedly, there's more function to the storage unit, for most of us. But it seems odd that Porsche would add a heavier option to a 'sport' model.

Has anyone weighed one? Has the Church of Light Weight sounded in on this issue?

[TXScott]

I thought I saw a seat/deck delete on APPBIZ's site.
Scott

[sfmlaw17]

I believe the "deck deletion" that is on their sight is for the RS carpet option. It covers the deleted seats, but doesn't add the storage compartment. It is just the carpet.

Really, it should be no different that building a speaker box. It would just take basic carpentry skills if both the top and front were carpeted. That would make a shelf, but no storage. For the front to be bare with useable openings, it would take some more advanced skills to make it look stock.

[Pete000]

Porsche was using the rear seat deleat storage box to stop people from sitting in the back with out seat belts or seats. The storage bin was the answer. The RSA shelf will not fit unless you remove all the side trm as well. I have on and I have to say it is made of ply wood and is very heavy and does weigh much more than the seats it replaces.

[hkspwrsche]

make one out of fiberglass?

[david914]

I've seen one only once and it was out of the car. Looked very easy to make. There are metal brackets that hold the piece to the factory seat belt mounting points. The unit that I saw actually had a lock servo installed to lock both compartment doors along when the factory door locks were actuated.

As far as the weight goes, if it does weigh more, it's not by much. There's nothing to it, just a top and a front panel. Also, remember the rear seat backs that you'd be removing are kinda heavy themselves.

[Hetmann]

I would think that some thin cabinet grade birch plywood covered in perlon would be lighter than the seats. Just don't go too crazy with over engineering the thing.

[ECSjr]

David914 described it pretty well. I have one in my '92 Cab, because Porsche didn't have rear shoulder belts in the cabs at that time, so all cabs from '92 until the 993 model came with the seat delete. All the ones I have seen have the storage unit.

My storage unit differs from the RS version in that it has doors in the front of it; and, the door behind the driver is even tied into the alarm system.

The RS unit is probably lighter, but just carpet makes more sence to me.

Ed
'92 C2 Cab

[posers]

Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1 Link to RS America shelf info

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

www.RSAmerica.net/OEM Information/Equipment/Rear Stowage bins

The Shelf weighs 18lbs. Notice that the whole area (sides and back of car) is carpeted with light weight RS America carpeting (sans sound deadening). The compartments are very useful. It comes with hooks on the top for belts (or in my case a stretchy black netting) to hold down luggage.

The creator of this site did a great job. The whole site is worth a look.

I have heard of people building a removeable speaker enclosure in that spot with amps and sub as well. The speaker grills need to be steel and sturdy enough to accept luggage and groceries etc being thrown back there.

Have fun!

[Dantilla]

Link doesn't work.

This is on my "To do" list, as my car has one-piece race seats, so there's no access to the rear. My plan is to use balsa wood as a frame, and ultra-thin plywood covered in lightweight carpet.

[rothaus]

Try this

www.RSAmerica.net/OEM Information/Equipment/Rear Stowage bins

[Dantilla]

Thanks. No sense putting stowage bins in my car, as seats are fixed in place. Eliminating the sliders gives me better headroom when I'm wearing a helmet.

[RWebb]

18 lbs. for the whole thing?

most people are getting wts. of about 30 for the entire assembly with doors, etc.

In other words, no savings over taking out the seats - just a lidded storage area for the same wt.

[posers]

I had mine out recently to remove a cd changer the previous owner had mounted on the underside behind the passenger seat. I weighed it and it was 18.6 lbs. The car actually looks rather nice with it out as the seat wells are fully carpeted.