DIY: 05' Rearseats Removal **MY WAY**

[mangvue05si]

This is my official thread to take off the rear seats of an 05 ep3 si usdm. Before we start I would like to say some shit. My way took about 1 ½ hours to install. I'm sure it would be somewhat similar to 02-04's. I’m sure that there are other ways. I’m not sure if all ep3’s are the same so…yea I wrote this for a 05. I hated taking more than one person in my car. (hell yea I’m stingy) So I did this to help people off my back looking for a free ride. Doing this you have to cut!. I have posted under some other people(s) thread on how to remove it before so now I’m going to start mine. I am writing this after I removed them and all from memories!
Hoping that you could do this 1-2-3 BAM! YOUR WELCOME.

----The items I used were---
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6924.jpg

----Along with a wrench, a ratchet with a short extension and a 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm socket, and a flathead.----

----open your hatch and remove the top covering it. There should be two clips on each side, easy.----

----Then, fold your backseats forward, and at the base of the seats you will see a small plastic cover. Gently use your flathead and pry it off, and underneath will be two 12mm bolts. Remove these two.-----

----Now look at the carpet at the back on top of the spare tire. This I’m going to call the “upholstery”.----

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6925.jpg

----There are three tabs that you are going to remove, I didn’t have any idea so I just pulled the shit out of it and they snapped. (I can guarantee you are going to break one or two or all)----

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6926.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6927.jpg

----After that the two corners are held in by a tab, now these two are easy to take off. Just take your flathead and push the middle of the tabs down and they will pop off.----

After taking all it off and removed from trunk.
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6930.jpg

----Now from here I had to cut to get to two bolts that were impossible to get. One on each side----

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6931.jpg

The right side
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6933.jpg

The left side
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6934.jpg

----After taking those bolts off the seats will feel like coming out yet there are 5 more bolts!----

----Now go to the passenger door and make room to go in the back. (so you can work)----

----Take the bottom part of the seats and pull up somewhat hard so they pop----

They should pop off these two hook spots
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6936.jpg

----Under here will be tree bolts----
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6937.jpg
And
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6938.jpg

----I cant to remember but there is a bracket that sits in-between the two seats with two bolts, take those off and these will be the last bolts----

----From here they are free and ready to pop off. It is really common sense after this.----

----NOTE: there are “sliders” on the left and right----
Left side
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6939.jpg
Right side
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6940.jpg

----I found it easier to take the left seat (the bigger one) then the right one (smaller)----

From doing so you saved 50-60 pounds add the spare tire and jack….100?

Anyways after doing so you will notice a wire, DON’T FUCK WITH THIS YOU WILL REGRET IT, I found it kind of disturbing to see metal to carpet to metal so…

(OPTIONAL)
Take the back floor mats
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6941.jpg


And flip it and do this
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6942.jpg

LOL

WELL THANKS FOR VISTING MY FOURM

ANOTHER LOOK SHALL WE

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/mangvue05si/IMG_6925.jpg

DAM!


-MUCH LOVE TO EPHATCH

---Mang Vue

[vboy127]

Thanks for the DIY! I am considering this for sure. However, you could have avoided cutting the parts that you did. They just pop off with a little effort. They allow access to the tops of the rear struts.

[Kerby]

I wish there was a way to make a nice full carpet from the back of the hatch to the edge where the interior floor carpet ends. Give it a nice flush look.

[usedep3]

I wish there was a way to make a nice full carpet from the back of the hatch to the edge where the interior floor carpet ends. Give it a nice flush look.

i wonder if stock interiors would be willing to make a carpet like that. i'm gonna email them now

[mangvue05si]

Thanks for the DIY! I am considering this for sure. However, you could have avoided cutting the parts that you did. They just pop off with a little effort. They allow access to the tops of the rear struts.

LOL, dam if I only knew that.

THX

[Kerby]

you should have asked my friend. :)

[oneglory]

don't forget to enter your DIY in the batman contest.

http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthread.php?53797-Grab-your-utility-belt-and-your-bat-camera...its-time-for-a-D.I.Y.-Contest!

[usedep3]

emailed stock interior.com they make all they're carpets to order, they would be willing to add up to 3 extra feet worth of carpet in the rear to cover the fuel pump and the rear exposed by the rear seat. they didn't say how much it would cost though..

[goldEp]

i mad my own.. cover just for the ep.. went to home depot and bought the wood little peace it like perfect.. then i went to advance auto and bought the carpet in black.. then i bought some adjesive.. and it works great... then i desided to put my stock seat back in..and i dont know what i did with the cover. dont know if i still have it.. if i find picktures ill post them..

[goldEp]

i mad my own.. cover just for the ep.. went to home depot and bought the wood little peace it like perfect.. then i went to advance auto and bought the carpet in black.. then i bought some adjesive.. and it works great... then i desided to put my stock seat back in..and i dont know what i did with the cover. dont know if i still have it.. if i find pictures ill post them..

[vboy127]

I'm sure if you go to any upholstery place or hell even a carpet store, find a good black carpet, have them fit it, cut it, and youre good. :)

[Kerby]

bottom seat came out. I'm having a hell of a time with the plastic cover inbetween the 60/40 split.
I'm like 95% about to just rip it off and cut it to smithereens! :rant: :frusty:

[mangvue05si]

bottom seat came out. I'm having a hell of a time with the plastic cover inbetween the 60/40 split.
I'm like 95% about to just rip it off and cut it to smithereens! :rant: :frusty:

---I do remember that was the hardest part to do---

[Kerby]

how does it come off?
I've tried pulling, tugging, prying... nothing.

[mangvue05si]

how does it come off?
I've tried pulling, tugging, prying... nothing.

lol then like me, just yank it out, yank the shit out of it,

take a pic and show me where you at, i'll be happy to help

[thakid]

I did mine couple months ago. It only took 30 minutes. No cutting. Easy enough.

[YohL]

seriously, 50-60lbs??? I weighed mine seats only + seatbelts + brackets, I only reduced about 20 something pounds? my jack & spare is < 20lbs. Is 05's seat heavier than the 02's??? what am I doing wrong here...

[mangvue05si]

***UPDATE*** I FINNALY got the time to "properly" weight these crap peices... Yet I gained 5lb, now im 180... 180+the left rear (closest to the door) backseat=207...rounding it to 200... next 180+the right rear backseat along with the bottem "ass" part=214...rounding that to 210...SO...so far 20lb+30lb=50... OK, NOW like I said this is for a 05'... take that 50lb and now add your oem jack (my did not come with one when I got it) =60lb (if I didnt round it), THEN take your spare tire (AGAIN my did not come with one when I got it)...60+ lets say 20lb(05' is 5 luged so more weight)=80lb... NOW that is some WEIGHT reduction, give or take 10lbs, ***I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THE DIFFERNCE ON A 02'-03'*** **** *** ** *IM not saidisfyed with that... JUST TODAY I got my passenger seat out, now more MATH...80+50lb(passenger)=130lb... .. . HOLLY SHIT "STAGE ONE WEIGHT REDUCTION COMPLETE! ***soon to come REAR/FRONT STRUTBAT DIY***

[speedking604]

Do we have to take out the entire seat in order to get access to fuel pump? I need to replAce my fuel pump.

[r6punk]

***UPDATE*** I FINNALY got the time to "properly" weight these crap peices... Yet I gained 5lb, now im 180... 180+the left rear (closest to the door) backseat=207...rounding it to 200... next 180+the right rear backseat along with the bottem "ass" part=214...rounding that to 210...SO...so far 20lb+30lb=50... OK, NOW like I said this is for a 05'... take that 50lb and now add your oem jack (my did not come with one when I got it) =60lb (if I didnt round it), THEN take your spare tire (AGAIN my did not come with one when I got it)...60+ lets say 20lb(05' is 5 luged so more weight)=80lb... NOW that is some WEIGHT reduction, give or take 10lbs, ***I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THE DIFFERNCE ON A 02'-03'*** **** *** ** *IM not saidisfyed with that... JUST TODAY I got my passenger seat out, now more MATH...80+50lb(passenger)=130lb... .. . HOLLY SHIT "STAGE ONE WEIGHT REDUCTION COMPLETE! ***soon to come REAR/FRONT STRUTBAT DIY***

does this throw off the weight distribution to the car? and will it affect the way it handles?
i'm just thinking trucks always put sandbags in the flatbed to keep the rear down in the snow.

[speedking604]

does this throw off the weight distribution to the car? and will it affect the way it handles?
i'm just thinking trucks always put sandbags in the flatbed to keep the rear down in the snow.

it will affect the handling. when doing weight reduction on the back of the car, you have to tune your suspension!

[EP_three]

does this throw off the weight distribution to the car? and will it affect the way it handles?
i'm just thinking trucks always put sandbags in the flatbed to keep the rear down in the snow.


Cause trucks are RWD.........

[civictype_r04]

emailed stock interior.com they make all they're carpets to order, they would be willing to add up to 3 extra feet worth of carpet in the rear to cover the fuel pump and the rear exposed by the rear seat. they didn't say how much it would cost though..

Someone do this and let us know how it is!!!!

[02ES1]

I know when me and my friend were autocrossing last season (our first season so I'm not even gonna pretend I'm an expert) we tried with and without our rear seats. He drives an EM2 I drive an EP3. Although we were lighter, our cars are so front heavy to begin with that they handled noticably worse without the back seats. Like speedking604 said,
you have to tune your suspension! Maybe we could get away with just stiffer dampening settings in the rear but I think you would need different spring rates altogether. What worked best for us was just lowering the seat backs so all the weight was lower in the car. :mbiggrin:

[ragebomb]

FWIW I also created a semi-illustrated DIY for removing the rear seats. The DIYs I found online were either missing pictures or rushing the steps. It's not terribly complicated. But in case anyone needs it, here it is:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/59289202/ep3%20rear%20seat%20removal%20diy%20v2.pdf

I weighed the 2 seatbacks and they came to a total of about 37 pounds (25 + 12).

[Passenger]

FWIW I also created a semi-illustrated DIY for removing the rear seats. The DIYs I found online were either missing pictures or rushing the steps. It's not terribly complicated. But in case anyone needs it, here it is:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/59289202/ep3%20rear%20seat%20removal%20diy%20v1.pdf

I weighed the 2 seatbacks and they came to a total of about 37 pounds (25 + 12).

Weight savings isn't worth the trouble IMO. I've had mine out for years, hate the extra noise. Reinstalling these because I have a daughter and Im tired of being stuck in the house with her when her mother isn't home lol. Thanks for posting the pdf :thumbu: