Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

Looking for cheap under rear seat storage in 02 TJ

40K views 59 replies 31 participants last post by  raif281 
#1 · (Edited)
Forget the Tuffy systems and everything else out there.

I am looking for a slim bag/plastic tray/container that will fit under the front of the back seat. The reason I am looking for this is because I noticed that there is some room under there and so far I put my jumper cables and tow straps under my back seat.

It is great because it is out of site and those items are bulky and could easily be taken if they were in plain view. The only problem, is that the space diminishes as you head towards the back of the seat so the storage is only near the front half.

Even some sort of tray or flat nylon bag would be perfect so I could easily pull my items out. Of course if it was black or dark gray that would be the most inconspicuous for my Jeep.

Anyone else use a stuff sack or tray with or without dividers? Here are a couple of pictures that got me thinking. Obviously on the TJ, it would have to pull out of the front of the back seat similar to under bed storage system at home.
 

Attachments

See less See more
3
#4 · (Edited)
Perfect under seat storage for your TJ and YJ!

Problem solved! 15 bucks and 2 hours of easy work

I started looking everywhere at Walmart from the fishing department to arts and crafts to hardware. I even went to Home Depot and Lowes looking for some sort of tray or storage tray system. I found 12 inch painter trays and my mind started racing!

Here is my write up, unfortunately I will have to post the pictures in several different posts here. Enjoy!

What you will need: **UPDATED**
-**2002 or older Wrangler ONLY. (Seats are changed in 03+, sorry guys)
-Buy (2) 12" paint trays $4.99/each
-Buy 1 can of plastic paint in your favorite color (optional) about $5
-Sawzall or hack saw
-1 inch wood drill bit and drill
-Speaker box carpet and spray adhesive (optional)

Step 1 - take the trays and cut off the support feet leaning forward
 

Attachments

#5 ·
Step 2 - Carefully drill a hole so that you can stick your finger in there and pull the tray out from under the seat. I used a 1 inch wood bit, be careful when you get to the point where you are ready to punch out the entire circle, the bit can catch and rough cut the circle. (I used a one inch bit, pick one that works for you.)

Step 3 - Test fit them empty

Step 4 - Take all of your great stuff and fill up your trays and test fit the trays with all of your stuff.
 

Attachments

#6 · (Edited)
I was really trying to find black trays because I wanted them to blend in and be less visible but I was unsuccessful so I had to paint them. For those of you rocking orange Wranglers, you may want to leave it like this.

Step 5 - (optional) Clean the dust and finger prints off of the trays with the cleaning spay/product/method of choice. I decided not to sand these trays down since the plastic paint is supposed to bond to the paint. It was the first time I used this stuff and it seemed pretty good.
 

Attachments

#7 ·
I wanted to keep the paint from potentially scratching off and also wanted to try to keep things from sliding around and making noise. I also wanted these trays to blend in a little more so I wrapped them in some extra black speaker box carpet.

Step 6 - (optional) Take speaker box carpet (color of your choice) and use some 3M Super 77 spray adhesive and line the inside of the trays. I also lined the bottom of the tray to keep it from sliding around under the seat.

I hope you guys like this, I look forward to any and all feedback, enhancements, options. Thanks guys!
 

Attachments

#9 ·
With the carpet on the bottom of them they are a really tight fit under the seat. You really need the finger hole in order to pull them out. There is no way they will slide anywhere.

On another note, the seat will not fold and flip forward without removing them. You can, however, fold the seat and start to flip it forward and pull the trays out the back.
 
#14 ·
Hey RJ, not to highjack my own thread but I think that stuff would work, however I just don't know how flexible the paint would be. I would recommend Forever Black. I got it at 4WD hardware Bumper & Trim Cleaner & Reconditioner by Forever Black and it is only 14 bucks.

I used it on my TJ...took several coats but it looks really good now and there is no signs of fading, peeling or cracking. There are some streaks but you would really have to be looking close. Just take your time with the application.

Oh and I think the trays will be ok with a 200lb person in the back. They seem pretty flexible. I would just be careful of what you put in the trays. As you can see, everything I have in there is either soft (tow straps, KC daylighter covers) or unbreakable (tools, etc). And if you break a tray, duct tape it back together or buy a new one! Good luck all!
 

Attachments

#16 ·
I mentioned it at the beginning of the post with the first picture...Home Depot. Lowes and Walmart have them too just note these are the 12" paint trays, not the narrower (more common) 9" trays.

My neighbor has an aftermarket center console in his YJ and they don't really slide in easily because of the location/size of the cup holder for the back seat. He is going to have to use the narrower ones if he wanted to do this.

It also seems like the YJ has even more room under the seat than the TJ.
 
#18 ·
Wow! Stroke of Guinness ..... err ...Genius ..

Yep I'm gonna have to do that Too....
 
#21 ·
That is a good idea Dave. The carpet certainly helps keep stuff quiet and I have packed them pretty tight so there isn't a lot of free space. I was thinking that foam stuff (very similar to what you posted) that you line tool cabinets with would work as well.

I think as long as it is something other than a bare plastic tray, you should be ok. Although if you are just storing things like tow straps, gloves etc. then you would probably be ok with bare plastic.
 
#22 ·
I figure I'd post the pics here, too. Thanks again for the great idea.

I ended up removing the four footman's loops on the floor so that the drawer would be able to freely slide in and out without removing the paint on the drawers.





I used Krylon Fusion for Plastic in khaki:

 
#23 ·
I just bought the paint trays and cut the bottom legs off. This won't work for an '03 TJ. There's a bar under the entire seat that goes across and prevents it from fitting. I really like the idea though!
 
#26 ·
The paint tray is all the way to the right. I couldn't get it under at all. The measuring tape is next to it. There is only about 1 3/8" clearance. It's okay though because the seat's coming out next week! :thumbsup:

 
#28 ·
That is the front. I moved the passenger seat forward and leaned in to measure/take picture.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top