DIY Bench Seats in Cargo Bed

14524 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Jim1, Dec 30, 2014

hogwild

Discussion Starter · Dec 27, 2014

Hey Everyone,
Just want to share my DIY bench seats that I installed in the rear bed. Total cost was less than $100.00. I installed 2 camo pop-up seats that I got from Academy.com. And I put a cup holder console in the center that I got from pepboys. I took the plastics off and drilled a hole through the sides of of bed frame to bolt the bench seat down. When the plastics are back on it still looks factory. I built it 18" tall which I found was the perfect height for my guests to be able to see over the roof, and large enough to fit coolers and gas cans underneath the seats. I had 2 guys 200+ pounds riding on the back with no issues. Hope this helps anyone looking to do the same!

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Dirt mover

· #2 · Dec 29, 2014

Sweet deal!! Is that 18" to top of cushion? How did you mount seats?

bluerebel

· #3 · Dec 29, 2014

.....looks sturdy.......but, what if you roll over?

I doubt Parks Service would allow me to run this out here in California, lol.

tmcelheny

· #4 · Dec 29, 2014

hahaha if he rolls over the passengers inn the bed are shit out of luck.... cool for some slow cruising tho I guess

BadM0nkey

· #5 · Dec 29, 2014 (Edited)

Center of gravity is now very high. Vikings are not regular trucks. They are very light. Strap two fat guys with beers up there and it will be very easy to tip over. No offense, but this is not safe, stupid and illegal.

Reactions: 2

BadM0nkey

· #6 · Dec 29, 2014 (Edited)

I did some math that I am pretty sure is correct:

The center of gravity of people sitting in those seats is about 4 feet above the wheel hub.

Assume you got two, 225 pound guys strapped in for a total of 450 pounds or 204 Kg.

Also assume you make a tight turn at only 15 mph or 6.7 meters per second. The Viking turning radius is about 178" or 4.5 meters.

Acceleration = velocity ^2 / radius = (6.7 * 6.7) / 4.5 = 10 meters per second ^2.

Force = mass * acceleration = 204 Kg * 10 m/s ^2 = 2040 Newtons = 460 pounds.

Torque applied at hub height = 4 feet * 460 pounds = 1840 foot pounds! That is a lot of torque!

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hogwild

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 29, 2014

I apprectiate the concern about rollovers but it hasnt been an issue. I actually prefer riding on the back, but keep in mind i live in south florida, everything is flat! Lol Youd really have to drive like a jack ass to flip. Also, nothing about this is illegal?? I ride in state parks and management areas all the time.

bluerebel

· #8 · Dec 29, 2014

:grabs beer:

Wow, :grabsanotherbeer:

That's intense, lol

I'm assuming you passed math class?

BadM0nkey said:
I did some math that I am pretty sure is correct:

The center of gravity of people sitting in those seats is about 4 feet above the wheel hub.

Assume you got two, 225 pound guys strapped in for a total of 450 pounds or 204 Kg.

Also assume you make a tight turn at only 15 mph or 6.7 meters per second. The Viking turning radius is about 178" or 4.5 meters.

Acceleration = velocity ^2 / radius = (6.7 * 6.7) / 4.5 = 10 meters per second ^2.

Force = mass * acceleration = 204 Kg * 10 m/s ^2 = 2040 Newtons = 460 pounds.

Torque applied at hub height = 4 feet * 460 pounds = 1840 foot pounds! That is a lot of torque!

BadM0nkey

· #9 · Dec 29, 2014

Yup, over 35 years ago though.

bluerebel

· #10 · Dec 29, 2014

BadM0nkey said:
Yup, over 35 years ago though.

lol, nice.

I scraped by in math class..........It would have probably taken me a couple of months to do the math you just did, lol.

Robleticia

· #11 · Dec 29, 2014

damn it BadM0nkey....that made my head hurt!

BadM0nkey

· #12 · Dec 29, 2014 (Edited)

Robleticia said:
damn it BadM0nkey....that made my head hurt!

That's why I am bad. A good monkey wouldn't give you a headache.

Robleticia

· #13 · Dec 30, 2014

ccasion14:

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Jim1

· #14 · Dec 30, 2014

I have a Masters in Civil Engineering, and that math went over my head.....

OP, I'm in South Looziana, and we rig stuff like this up all the time.......I like the set up!!!

Maybe we are just more careful or we are better drivers in the South.....:icon_rr:

Reactions: 1

BadM0nkey

· #15 · Dec 30, 2014

Who are you kidding? All of you good ole boys think you are driving the General Lee.

Reactions: 1

Jim1

· #16 · Dec 30, 2014

ccasion14:

ccasion14:

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