DIY: Turning your Micra into a micro cargo van... rear seat removal

Attachment 533

As promised in the review notes of the SR Micra automatic that Nissan loaned me, here are instructions for converting your Micra into more of a cargo hauler.

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I know a carpenter whose work truck used to be his 1996 Geo Metro, proving you can fit a surprising amount of stuff into a little hatchback. (AlphaMicra has already demonstrated this several times with his Micra.)

Unfortunately, we're not quite as lucky as Euro Micra owners, whose cars have "fold AND flip" rear seats that make it possible to configure the cargo area in more useful ways than our simple folding seat backs.

But for lots more Micra cargo space, you can take out the rear seat entirely. It's not difficult -- I've owned lots of small hatchbacks, and this is something I've done to every one of them at some point or another to stuff in the maximum amount of stuff.

Here's how:


1. Remove the rear seat cushion

This is pretty easy. It's held in place at the front by two clips, and at the rear simply from being tucked underneath the seat back.

Attachment 534

To release the cushion tabs from their clips, tug straight upward sharply -- roughly in the center of the two outside seating positions.

NOTE: some owners have found the above directions difficult. Here's an alternate method:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Big black bear

I found it easier, for me, to take first the back end [of the cushion] out by lifting up. Then, standing outside the car, with the door opened, from the each side (both front and back of the cushion in the same time using both hands), pushing the cushion from the bottom up. Using the metal stand as a support for my hands. It took a big push, but I didn't damage anything.

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Attachment 535

(Shows the two metal tabs on the bottom of the cushion.)

Once the leading edge is loose, pull it forward to "un-tuck" it from the rear seat back.

Remove the cushion through a side door.

Attachment 536

(Shows detail of the plastic clips that hold the metal tabs.)


2. Remove six bolts for the seat back

(Sorry, I forgot to write down the bolt size.)

Attachment 537

Remove these, except just loosen and leave the opposite two outer bolts in place for last.


3. Remove rear 60/40 seat back

Best done with two people.

This part can be tricky because of the 60/40 split sections. It's a bit like handling a heavy, wet noodle that has sharp metal protrusions (the hinges that bolt to the floor) which will scratch up your Micra if you're not careful!

It will help if the person on the "40%" side grasps the top of the seat back at the 60/40 divide with one hand to prevent the two sections from flopping in different directions.

Attachment 538

Remove the last two outer bolts, release the two "fold down" latches and lift the seatback out the side door toward the "40%" side.


4. Cargo! Cargo! Cargo!

Attachment 539

Attachment 540

Reinstallation is the opposite of removal.

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Another reason some people may remove the rear seat is for weight reduction. Track day? Marginally better fuel economy? More cargo space? It's all the same.

I didn't weigh the two seat sections. The lower cushion doesn't weigh much at all (5 lbs?); the 60/40 seat back is quite a bit heavier though.

For ultimate cargo space, you could take out the front passenger seat as well.

Enjoy your Cargo Micra!

Nice write up Darin. It had a few more bolts than I suspected, but I guess that is probably because of the 60/40 seats. Most of the cars without that only have 2 bolts holding them in.

Thanks! There were more bolts than I expected, too. I suspect it's because the rear bar across the base of the seat back (where the hinges are attached) also contains the child seat anchors.

Oh, and if you removed the passenger seat, you could turn the Micra into a "micro-RV" by building a little deck that's level with the rear floor, and putting padding on it for sleeping.

I know a musician who played gigs all over eastern Ontario/western Quebec, and he did just that with his little hatchback. He'd find somewhere quiet to park after the show, turn in for the night and make the return trip in the morning.

Part 2: Micra Pickup Truck

I had the opportunity to pick up a light but long load while I was driving the Micra -- birch bark for a canoe:

http://micra-forum.com/attachment.ph...4&d=1405949709


The handy child seat anchors in the cargo area (at the base of the seatback) are perfect attachment points for a ratchet strap:

Attachment 625

An aluminum ladder makes for a good "extended load deck" out the back -- in this case an 8-ft ladder. With the bottom end on the folded seatback and some padding under the middle where it rests on the hatchback opening:

Attachment 626

Cinch the ladder down hard, and it's remarkably secure. I could stand on the outside end. And using a ladder as your load deck gives you lots of options for tie-down points for whatever you're lugging.

Of course if you're going to be carrying anything with actual bulk (say, heavier than birch bark), you might also want to secure the ladder so the outside part can't move side-to-side.

And don't forget your bright red flag on the end of your load.

Yes, do not forget bright red flag, comrade...and please don't let it drag on the ground.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Union.svg.png

No politics, please! :D

(Seriously... no politics!)

Oh man.. We need to start a "wierd things stuffed in a micra" post. My eyes bugged out seeing the tree in there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MetroMPG

No politics, please! :D

(Seriously... no politics!)

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Okay...no red flag, then?

That looks good, and seems relatively simple to do! Myself and one buddy are going on a road trip in my Micra during the summer. This is a good idea because I could possibly throw a foldable sheet of plywood or some thin flat surface to lay back there, throw a mattress on top of it and when I go to sleep in it, just get a tarp or something to wrap around the open hatch and protruding makeshift Micra bed! Congrats, I just turned my Micra into a Micro camper/RV!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AdamMurphy94

That looks good, and seems relatively simple to do! Myself and one buddy are going on a road trip in my Micra during the summer. This is a good idea because I could possibly throw a foldable sheet of plywood or some thin flat surface to lay back there, throw a mattress on top of it and when I go to sleep in it, just get a tarp or something to wrap around the open hatch and protruding makeshift Micra bed! Congrats, I just turned my Micra into a Micro camper/RV!

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haha, def. post picture of that !!!

CMM

For sure! It'll be the first road trip with my car, so I'll definitely make a thread on here documenting the trip including some pics of the sights and of the setup, lol.

+1! Pics, please.

I actually know of someone who made a mini-RV out of an old 4-door (wagon style) Geo Metro. So it can be done with a Micra!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MetroMPG

+1! Pics, please.

I actually know of someone who made a mini-RV out of an old 4-door (wagon style) Geo Metro. So it can be done with a Micra!

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That's awesome! Any pics?

A while ago I was looking at pictures and videos of people converting their vehicles into RV's or mobile homes for off-grid living. One guy had a 3-door 1990s Ford Fiesta over in the UK and converted it into his home.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Part 2: Micra Pickup Truck

I had the opportunity to pick up a light but long load while I was driving the Micra -- birch bark for a canoe:

http://micra-forum.com/attachment.ph...4&d=1405949709


The handy child seat anchors in the cargo area (at the base of the seatback) are perfect attachment points for a ratchet strap:

Attachment 625

An aluminum ladder makes for a good "extended load deck" out the back -- in this case an 8-ft ladder. With the bottom end on the folded seatback and some padding under the middle where it rests on the hatchback opening:

Attachment 626

Cinch the ladder down hard, and it's remarkably secure. I could stand on the outside end. And using a ladder as your load deck gives you lots of options for tie-down points for whatever you're lugging.

Of course if you're going to be carrying anything with actual bulk (say, heavier than birch bark), you might also want to secure the ladder so the outside part can't move side-to-side.

And don't forget your bright red flag on the end of your load.

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plate is from quebec and you are from ontario ?

Bien oui! :D

Nissan loaned me this car for a week last summer, and it came from their Montreal media fleet. Meme chose avec la Micra S, cette ete.

I thought someone was bumping this thread to tell me about the competition from the Honda Civic pickup truck...

Attachment 1416
(From: This 1977 Honda Civic Actually Makes A Perfect Pickup Truck)

or this
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tEpsZ3Mfnq4/hqdefault.jpg

Attachment 1417

the vw caddy

I love those. I never had one, but I owned many Rabbits (MK1 Golfs) when I was a kid.

A diesel one would be interesting.

It's amazing what you can fit in these Micras

Attachment 1791

It's time to thank you for step by step description on getting a Micra cargo van.
I followed your directions with only one minor change. I found it hard to release the back seats clips just
by raising the front end. I found it easier, for me, to take first the back ends out by lifting them up.
Then, standing outside the car, with the door opened, from the each side (both front and back of the cushion
in the same time using both hands), pushing the cushion from the bottom up.
Using the metal stand as a support for my hands. It took a big push, but I didn't damage
anything. Nor did I hurt myself in the process. The rest was very easy. I still needed a second person to help with the
seats removal. They are pretty heavy.
I'll take pictures as soon as I find a suitable rubber mat (or mats) to cover the bare metal area.
Thank you.
Big black bear and Alberta Micra owner.

Thanks for that modification, Big black bear. You're not the first to report it was hard getting the seat out the way I described. I'll edit my post and add your instructions with mine.

What's your motivation for taking the seats out? What are you moving?

I'm retiring soon. Lola will be my fishing partner.
I won't be able to fish all day, non-stop, without laying down from time to time.
It's not the age, it's the mileage. I'll leave only the driver seat in. A Versa model or something better.
I'll do next the limo tinting on back windows and hatchback window. Next week, possible.
For privacy reasons and aesthetics. I'll keep in touch with this wonderful forum community.
This community help me a lot with their posts and it will definitely help me in the future.
If I can do anything to show my gratitude, please let me know.
Big black bear and Alberta Micra owner.

Anyone able to comment on just how bad the noise level is after removing the seats? I am just trying to make some space for my pup/camping gear but don't want it at the detriment of my ears.

Lol. Neat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Big black bear

It's time to thank you for step by step description on getting a Micra cargo van.
I followed your directions with only one minor change. I found it hard to release the back seats clips just
by raising the front end. I found it easier, for me, to take first the back ends out by lifting them up.
Then, standing outside the car, with the door opened, from the each side (both front and back of the cushion
in the same time using both hands), pushing the cushion from the bottom up.
Using the metal stand as a support for my hands. It took a big push, but I didn't damage
anything. Nor did I hurt myself in the process. The rest was very easy. I still needed a second person to help with the
seats removal. They are pretty heavy.
I'll take pictures as soon as I find a suitable rubber mat (or mats) to cover the bare metal area.
Thank you.
Big black bear and Alberta Micra owner.

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It’s because of the style of clip used sometimes they catch sometimes they release I am even the same card reinstalling it and pulling it back out they can be different the second time

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kepler

Anyone able to comment on just how bad the noise level is after removing the seats? I am just trying to make some space for my pup/camping gear but don't want it at the detriment of my ears.

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It's definitely noisier. I've stripped much of the interior out of a couple of hatchback cars, and even drove with bits of tissue stuffed in my ears for long drives!

However, laying a thick blanket over the floor will quiet it down some.

I'd say just try it - it's not that hard to pull the seats.