[vango5]

I guess either Toyota doesn't want the Siennas to compete with their Tacomas any more or they don't want their owners to make Raptor88 devices for the new Siennas.

 

[PreludeRon]

I did something similar to smooth out the load floor in my 2014. There are 2 sections, one to the back of the second row and one for when the second row is removed.

 

[Raptor88]

Slightly off topic... but I wanted to point out --- at least the Odyssey's seats CAN be removed. Starting in 2021, the Sienna's second row seats cannot even be taken out of the car at all!

That would be an absolute show stopper for me. Any mini-van we buy MUST HAVE removeable or stow below floor level 2nd and 3rd row seats. What were the Sienna engineers thinking?

 

[Raptor88]

I guess either Toyota doesn't want the Siennas to compete with their Tacomas any more or they don't want their owners to make Raptor88 devices for the new Siennas.

Ha, ha, ha, ha ...... Still laughing 😂.
Raptor88

 

[Raptor88]

I did something similar to smooth out the load floor in my 2014. There are 2 sections, one to the back of the second row and one for when the second row is removed. View attachment 157684 View attachment 157685 View attachment 157686 View attachment 157687

That is a really nice pro level job you did on your false floor. It's a shame that we have to go through such lengths though to flatten a crazy bumpy floor that Honda designed. They need to hire some ingenious designers.

 

[jiantao]

That would be an absolute show stopper for me. Any mini-van we buy MUST HAVE removeable or stow below floor level 2nd and 3rd row seats. What were the Sienna engineers thinking?

Yup, I use the van not just to carry people but also to carry stuff like bikes.

The reason they're not allowing the seats to be removable, is because they're putting side airbags in the rear seats. I guess they don't want any liability if someone doesn't re-install the seat correctly. I'm all for additional safety features... but maybe they could have put the airbags in the doors like the older BMWs did? Not being able to remove the seats takes SO much utility out of the van.

 

[PreludeRon]

That is a really nice pro level job you did on your false floor. It's a shame that we have to go through such lengths though to flatten a crazy bumpy floor that Honda designed. They need to hire some ingenious designers.

Agreed about the designers. But I also acknowledge that a single person with show dogs is not their target market. So I am thankful that Honda continues to offer a viable option for me, even if it means some extra work on my part. Unfortunately, as of 2021, the choices that make sense for me in the future are only the Odyssey and the Pacifica, because of it. And even the Odyssey becomes less viable for me as time goes on with the 5th generation having very heavy and cumbersome second row seats to remove, and side rather than roof mounted rear AC vents. I won't buy Chrysler, so I need this one to last at least as long as my 2004 did (300,000 miles when traded for this one).

 

[PreludeRon]

Yup, I use the van not just to carry people but also to carry stuff like bikes.

The reason they're not allowing the seats to be removable, is because they're putting side airbags in the rear seats. I guess they don't want any liability if someone doesn't re-install the seat correctly. I'm all for additional safety features... but maybe they could have put the airbags in the doors like the older BMWs did? Not being able to remove the seats takes SO much utility out of the van.

I'm guessing they mounted the airbags in the seats rather than the doors is due to the long sliding tracks the 2nd row seats are on so they can recline and have footrests. They need the air bags in the seats for proper placement and protection in relation to the occupant because the seat can be anywhere along the track.

 

[jiantao]

I'm guessing they mounted the airbags in the seats rather than the doors is due to the long sliding tracks the 2nd row seats are on so they can recline and have footrests. They need the air bags in the seats for proper placement and protection in relation to the occupant because the seat can be anywhere along the track.

This makes sense. Oh well.

Can't have everything... I guess.

 

[DerbyDad03]

I did something similar to smooth out the load floor in my 2014. There are 2 sections, one to the back of the second row and one for when the second row is removed.

Thanks for the close up pictures. Consider your design stolen. 😁

Is it safe to assume that you used 3/4" plywood to avoid flex or did you use 1/2" (3/8?) with extra supports that aren't shown?

In return, this is the platform I made to replace the center console when I want to carry long boards. It levels the van from front to rear and prevent the boards from sitting on the console mounting bracket. A rubber pad in placed in front of the boards protects the lower part of the dashboard.

I also use 2 large pieces of cardboard (from the sides of the box that the hitch came in) to protect the sides of the cargo area. I just slip them in between the rear seatbelts and the side panels.

 

[EOT 4 Life]

I did something similar to smooth out the load floor in my 2014. There are 2 sections, one to the back of the second row and one for when the second row is removed. View attachment 157684 View attachment 157685 View attachment 157686 View attachment 157687

That is a fantastic job you did with that floor. Seriously, if you could somehow build a strong, but lightweight version of it I bet you could patent it and sell it by the thousands.

 

[PreludeRon]

Thanks for the close up pictures. Consider your design stolen. 😁

Is it safe to assume that you used 3/4" plywood to avoid flex or did you use 1/2" (3/8?) with extra supports that aren't shown?

I used 1/2" strand board for it. The only supports are at the front and back of each section to level it with the floor. It's plenty strong enough for anything I would carry and has shown no signs of sagging or flexing at all in the 6 years that I've been using it.

 

[DerbyDad03]

I used 1/2" strand board for it. The only supports are at the front and back of each section to level it with the floor. It's plenty strong enough for anything I would carry and has shown no signs of sagging or flexing at all in the 6 years that I've been using it.

It would be interesting to run your material, dimensions and load through the Sagulator program. Just for fun of course, since your installation obviously works fine for your needs.

It's a pretty cool program for building shelves and bookcases.

The Sagulator – WoodBin

 

[reighnerboo]

DerbyDad03,
Yep, the non flat floor in the 2018+ Odys is a royal pain. I built a false floor that goes behind the 2nd row seats. It can be seen in my youtube video about removing the second row seats. The false floor is covered with a gray carpet. I also built a second false floor for when the 2nd row seats are removed and it's also covered with a gray carpet. Having a completely flat floor with the 2nd row seats removed allows putting a 3" thick tri-fold mattress in the back and it's a joy to lie in the back with pillows when we go to the beach. I'll be making a youtube video on my build later. Meanwhile, here's a couple of pics of my setup:

Crazy bumpy 2019 Ody floor:
View attachment 157648

Flat cargo area:
View attachment 157649

Thanks all,
Raptor88
[/QUOTE]


Please update us and post that video or some photo details on how you built the flat flooring. I have an air mattress in my van but I am using these thick foam "yoga" mats to cover the second row seat mounts so that it doesn't puncture my air bed. Lol. Would love to do mine a lot cleaner and LEVELED. the pillow side of the bed sinks cuz the floor isn't completely level to the rear of the van. This is the "love making" or drive-in theater set up. 😅

 

[Raptor88]

Please update us and post that video or some photo details on how you built the flat flooring. I have an air mattress in my van but I am using these thick foam "yoga" mats to cover the second row seat mounts so that it doesn't puncture my air bed. Lol. Would love to do mine a lot cleaner and LEVELED. the pillow side of the bed sinks cuz the floor isn't completely level to the rear of the van. This is the "love making" or drive-in theater set up. 😅

Plan to make a youtube video about how the false floor in our 2019 Ody is made.

But for now, my floor is made out of 3/8 plywood with sufficient supports below for that thickness plywood. The design consideration was that thick plywood is heavy while supports for 3/8" plywood are light. Also that the less weight the better for gas mileage.

The floor behind the 2nd row seats always stay in the van (unless for a very rare occasion if we need the 3rd row seats, which hasn't happened since I built the false floor).

Being 3/8" plywood, the forward section of plywood is very light and easy to install and remove when the 2nd row seats are out of the van. Also for storage, that 3/8" plywood takes up minimal space when not being used. I just slip it between a shelf assembly and a large grill in our carport. Just needs 1" of space to slip it between those items.

Raptor88

 

[indoroowet]

I just posted a video on youtube about a jig I made to remove the 2nd row seats in our 2018+ Ody. Might be handy for some 2018- Ody owners.

Remove the second row seats from any mini-van without pulling your back

Raptor88 (usefulgizmos on youtube)

I made a comment on the youtube movie on how to easily remove the second seat removal.
The poster asked me to explain how to do it with a simple "cherry picker" and where to store it.

I am on the road for a couple of months so can not fully document on how to do it, but I can post this picture.
In essence in the lift position, place the bottom legs of the cherry picker underneath the car, so that he lift arm is above the seat. Strap the seat to the lift arm and slightly lift the seat up. Pull back on the cherry picker and move to where ever. Then lower the seat to the ground.

The original poster also wondered where to store this thing, and I wondered why he should not be able to find a storage place when the cherry picker has such a small footprint in the folded-up configuration...

 

[2011.2017.odyssey]

I made a comment on the youtube movie on how to easily remove the second seat removal.
The poster asked me to explain how to do it with a simple "cherry picker" and where to store it.

I am on the road for a couple of months so can not fully document on how to do it, but I can post this picture.
In essence in the lift position, place the bottom legs of the cherry picker underneath the car, so that he lift arm is above the seat. Strap the seat to the lift arm and slightly lift the seat up. Pull back on the cherry picker and move to where ever. Then lower the seat to the ground.

The original poster also wondered where to store this thing, and I wondered why he should not be able to find a storage place when the cherry picker has such a small footprint in the folded-up configuration...

another good option, for those not as handy with woodworking.
assume its significantly more money than the wood option, and the OP's method is clever, assume he's retired and enjoys tinkering.

 

[phattyduck]

the cherry picker has such a small footprint in the folded-up configuration...

I dunno. I disassemble my cherry picker to get more space between uses (I only use it every few years). It is also quite heavy to work with, assemble and disassemble. Not sure it is a great solution for somebody with back issues.

-Charlie

 

[DerbyDad03]

another good option, for those not as handy with woodworking.
assume its significantly more money than the wood option, and the OP's method is clever, assume he's retired and enjoys tinkering.

Why would we assume "retired"? I'm not retired and I enjoy woodworking and tinkering.

Tinkering: I recently installed the hitch and transmission cooler on my Ody.

Woodworking: I build beds, kitchen cabinets, bookcases, etc.

The vast majority of tinkerers and woodworkers that I know are not retired.

 

[Raptor88]

I made a comment on the youtube movie on how to easily remove the second seat removal.
The poster asked me to explain how to do it with a simple "cherry picker" and where to store it.

I am on the road for a couple of months so can not fully document on how to do it, but I can post this picture.
In essence in the lift position, place the bottom legs of the cherry picker underneath the car, so that he lift arm is above the seat. Strap the seat to the lift arm and slightly lift the seat up. Pull back on the cherry picker and move to where ever. Then lower the seat to the ground.

The original poster also wondered where to store this thing, and I wondered why he should not be able to find a storage place when the cherry picker has such a small footprint in the folded-up configuration...
View attachment 157980

I posted the youtube video on the jig to remove the 2nd row seats. Your comment was:

"How about a simple Harbor Freight "Cherry Picker" lift.
Pick up the bugger with a strap and be done with it.
This another example of why easy when you can go difficult!"

My reply was the following:
"Please draw the plans for converting the "Cherry Picker" lift to do the job and post a link to the plans. The plans need to address: 1) how you will convert the "cherry picker's" published lifting height range of 69-5/8" to 82" to less than 61" since the bottom of the van's roof is 61" above the ground and you need to lower the crane lower than that to connect to the chair before lifting, 2) how you will roll the "cherry picker's" heavy frame out while simultaneously holding and guiding the chair out of the doorway, 3) how the "cherry picker" can roll in/out when the carport's floor is higher than the sidewalk like in my case (as shown in my youtube video), 4) how you will lower the 70 lb chair all the way down to the dolly without a rope and pulley assembly, 5) how you will position the dolly under the chair since the cherry picker's bottom frame is in the way. If you don't show us how to do/overcome these things, then maybe your idea is jumping to a quick invalid conclusion. Maybe easy to say but hard to actually do."

First, I wasn't aware that the hoist could be folded up but even folded, I don't have anywhere to store it in our carport.

I'm looking forward to seeing how you will modify the "cherry picker (crane hoist)" to address the 5 points I listed. Especially how you modify the hoist to be lower to fit under the 2019 Ody's doorway and how you will lower the 70 lb seat on to a dolly when the bottom frame of the hoist is in the way. Once you draw the plans to cover the 5 points I listed and post a link to the plans, then I will acknowledge the validity of your comment to my youtube video. And by the way, your ill-mannered statement at the end of your comments was rude and not necessary.

Raptor88 (usefulgizmos)