I want to share some pictures and descriptions of the platforms that I built for my 17 EX-L. I've also including some learnings that I hope will help anyone that wants to level the back of their Ody in a similar manner. (Thanks go to member Raptor88 for his inspiration.)
As many of us know, the floor of the Odyssey has gotten more and more bumpy and uneven with each generation. My 2nd and 3rd generation Ody's were tolerable, but I had to do something about the 17. The hump from 3rd row bench hinges, the valley across the middle, the 2nd row latch bars, etc. I carry more stuff than people so the cargo capabilities are my #1 priority. No, make that #2. Keeping the Ody clean is #1, so the platforms have now replaced the custom sized moving blankets that I've been using for years.
As a reminder, this is what we're dealing with:
![Image]()
Here's how I solved the problem.
The rear platform will stay in my Ody 99.99% of the time. I can't recall the last time I needed the 3rd row seats. That said, the platform is very easy to remove. With 2 people it's a breeze, but I can do it by myself if need be.
The dimensions of the rear platform are 47" x 58" x 1/2". That leaves room for carpeting and a small gap on each side for whatever choice of side wall protection you want to use. I saved the long sides of the box that my hitch came in, but I also have a bunch of rubber anti-fatigue pads. Either one will slip between the platform and the side walls as shown below. I use side wall protection on an as needed basis.
The platform lies directly on the back of the 3rd row seats at the rear and is supported by a 2 x 4 across the front. The 2 x 4 adds just enough height to prevent the platform from rocking on the 3rd row hinge hump. The rear corners of the platform are rounded to match the curve at the rear of the cargo area.
![Image]()
![Image]()
I cut an opening at the front of the platform for the rear heat duct.
![Image]()
The 2nd row platform is 56" x 33" x 1/2". This platform will live in the garage and be installed as needed.
The 2nd row platform is supported by a 2 x 4 at the rear and a 2 x 4 plus a 2 x 2 at the front. To be clear, that's 3.5 inches at the rear and 5" at the front. That keeps the platforms level with each other from front to rear.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Some additional notes on the project:
- I used one 4 x 8 sheet of 1/2" MDO plywood. In these crazy times, the smooth, flat, thicker MDO was actually cheaper than the crappy, warped 1/2" sheathing plywood. For the 2nd row platform, I needed to add an 8" x 33" piece of 1/2" sheathing that I had lying around in order to get the full 56" width. I supported the underside of the seam between the 2 pieces of plywood with a 1x3 to prevent any sagging if I knelt right at the seam.
For posterity purposes, should someone come across this thread a few years from now when - hopefully - lumber prices have come back down, I paid $74 for the MDO plywood. The warped 1/2" sheathing was $79.
![Image]()
2 - The stiffness of the carpeting made it a little difficult to wrap the ends of the 2 x4's as flat as I wanted. The type of carpet I used unravels at the edges so it had to be folded under and then stapled. That leaves a bump at the folds. On the flip side, I only paid $15 for a 6' x 12' piece, so I'm OK with how the corners came out. I rounded over the edges of the plywood and the ends of the 2 x 4's, but once I started the carpeting, I wondered if it really mattered. With thinner carpet, I imagine that it would help.
The cuts and the folds for the corners were an adventure.
![Image]()
![Image]()
BTW...Things slide on the carpet, at least with the carpet that I used. This makes loading easy, but hard braking can send stuff sliding. Load your Ody with that in mind.
All in all, I'm pleased with the way it came out. Crawling around on my knees is almost a pleasure compared to how it was before. Yes, I've lost some interior height, but I don't see that being an issue for me. If it ever is, I'll just take the platforms out and revert to the moving blankets.
Any comments, pro and con, are welcome.
EDIT 8/31/2021: Even though there are no additional pictures (yet) I have since built a 3rd platform for use when I want to have one 2nd row seat in the Ody. It's basically just a 31" version of the full 56" 2nd row platform. It covers the 2nd row floor from the door to the side of the single 2nd row seat.
As many of us know, the floor of the Odyssey has gotten more and more bumpy and uneven with each generation. My 2nd and 3rd generation Ody's were tolerable, but I had to do something about the 17. The hump from 3rd row bench hinges, the valley across the middle, the 2nd row latch bars, etc. I carry more stuff than people so the cargo capabilities are my #1 priority. No, make that #2. Keeping the Ody clean is #1, so the platforms have now replaced the custom sized moving blankets that I've been using for years.
As a reminder, this is what we're dealing with:
Here's how I solved the problem.
The rear platform will stay in my Ody 99.99% of the time. I can't recall the last time I needed the 3rd row seats. That said, the platform is very easy to remove. With 2 people it's a breeze, but I can do it by myself if need be.
The dimensions of the rear platform are 47" x 58" x 1/2". That leaves room for carpeting and a small gap on each side for whatever choice of side wall protection you want to use. I saved the long sides of the box that my hitch came in, but I also have a bunch of rubber anti-fatigue pads. Either one will slip between the platform and the side walls as shown below. I use side wall protection on an as needed basis.
The platform lies directly on the back of the 3rd row seats at the rear and is supported by a 2 x 4 across the front. The 2 x 4 adds just enough height to prevent the platform from rocking on the 3rd row hinge hump. The rear corners of the platform are rounded to match the curve at the rear of the cargo area.
I cut an opening at the front of the platform for the rear heat duct.
The 2nd row platform is 56" x 33" x 1/2". This platform will live in the garage and be installed as needed.
The 2nd row platform is supported by a 2 x 4 at the rear and a 2 x 4 plus a 2 x 2 at the front. To be clear, that's 3.5 inches at the rear and 5" at the front. That keeps the platforms level with each other from front to rear.
Some additional notes on the project:
- I used one 4 x 8 sheet of 1/2" MDO plywood. In these crazy times, the smooth, flat, thicker MDO was actually cheaper than the crappy, warped 1/2" sheathing plywood. For the 2nd row platform, I needed to add an 8" x 33" piece of 1/2" sheathing that I had lying around in order to get the full 56" width. I supported the underside of the seam between the 2 pieces of plywood with a 1x3 to prevent any sagging if I knelt right at the seam.
For posterity purposes, should someone come across this thread a few years from now when - hopefully - lumber prices have come back down, I paid $74 for the MDO plywood. The warped 1/2" sheathing was $79.
2 - The stiffness of the carpeting made it a little difficult to wrap the ends of the 2 x4's as flat as I wanted. The type of carpet I used unravels at the edges so it had to be folded under and then stapled. That leaves a bump at the folds. On the flip side, I only paid $15 for a 6' x 12' piece, so I'm OK with how the corners came out. I rounded over the edges of the plywood and the ends of the 2 x 4's, but once I started the carpeting, I wondered if it really mattered. With thinner carpet, I imagine that it would help.
The cuts and the folds for the corners were an adventure.
BTW...Things slide on the carpet, at least with the carpet that I used. This makes loading easy, but hard braking can send stuff sliding. Load your Ody with that in mind.
All in all, I'm pleased with the way it came out. Crawling around on my knees is almost a pleasure compared to how it was before. Yes, I've lost some interior height, but I don't see that being an issue for me. If it ever is, I'll just take the platforms out and revert to the moving blankets.
Any comments, pro and con, are welcome.
EDIT 8/31/2021: Even though there are no additional pictures (yet) I have since built a 3rd platform for use when I want to have one 2nd row seat in the Ody. It's basically just a 31" version of the full 56" 2nd row platform. It covers the 2nd row floor from the door to the side of the single 2nd row seat.
