Couch from Car Rear Seat Ideas?

[spngr311]

I have a rear seat out of an E46 3-series that I plan to make into a couch for the garage. I know this has been done before and was hoping someone would share their setup so that I can steal some of the design for mine. I don't need it to be on casters, since it will stay in place. I also don't have a preference for materials, but metal working is limited to metals I can buy at home depot and I don't have the ability to bend it. Thanks for the help!

 

[brent5631]

I made this one from an 80s Bmw rear seat. Outside of what you could make though.

 

[Lippyp]

Watching with interest as I have the back seat out of my old Isuzu Trooper to do the same with at some point.

 

[SaintJimbob]

I made this one from an 80s Bmw rear seat. Outside of what you could make though.

Wow, that's an incredible job!

 

[Bill Bowman]

I didn't have a back seat, but I had the back end of a whole car. I cut it up to fit around an existing loveseat, since the trunk area didn't seem wide enough in stock form. The license plate covers the modification, along with a piece of bumper screwed on.

 

[Arps]

You sir are an artist

 

[Bill Bowman]

I really like that bmw seat fabrication. Nice clean look.

 

[XAMfed]

I made this one from an 80s Bmw rear seat. Outside of what you could make though.

My dad has a set of those seats sitting on the ground in his building. I wish I has the skills to make a frame for him

 

[sublimate]

Interesting idea, use an old fridge for the base:
http://www.treehugger.com/sustainab...ouches-made-from-recycled-fridges-photos.html

 

[big.jim]

look at top gear presenter seats

 

[48RON54]

Use an across the bed truck type tool box for the base. Bolt the seat to the top.
Easy and has plenty of storage under the seat.

I like this idea for it's pure simplicity. Nothing more than a few bolts and you are done. You could paint the toolbox to blend into the seat or the background so as to be less noticable or you could make it stand out with a bright color. Your call. Good idea ducksface. PLUS you could hide all your weed in it.

 

[C96]

Both of these are outstanding, great job guys!

 

[Jay Sco]

Not as nice as the others here (great job guys!) but here's mine.

 

[spngr311]

Damn, these are really nice. I really like that BMW one for how clean it is. That is the style I am looking to emulate. What did you do for the back and bottom?

 

[48RON54]

Not as nice as the others here (great job guys!) but here's mine.

I'm sure if you put some of the stainless/chrome back on it it would really start to pop. Of course that is a bit of an investment for a garage seat. 63 impala I assume?

 

[Jay Sco]

I'm sure if you put some of the stainless/chrome back on it it would really start to pop. Of course that is a bit of an investment for a garage seat. 63 impala I assume?

Yup, 63 with a 79 Dodge bench. I've thought about trim, bumper, lights, but it took me about 10 years to even get paint on it. Work in progress I suppose.

 

[MoparTrucks]

Yup, 63 with a 79 Dodge bench. I've thought about trim, bumper, lights, but it took me about 10 years to even get paint on it. Work in progress I suppose.

I think that looks pretty sweet already.

Damn you guys are giving me ideas.

 

[madmanmerc]

you guys are awesome. love all the masterpieces lol

 

[ich_liebe_meine_arbeit]

All three of those are great! You could search craigslist or junkyard for a park bench or bench frame and modify so you can secure the seat to it. Just a thought

 

[spngr311]

That is quite clever...

 

[Radio Joe]

I made this one from an 80s Bmw rear seat. Outside of what you could make though.

You have got to give more details on this. Any pics of the frame without the seat mounted?? That is spectacular!

 

[cactiki]

This is a great idea! Lots of cars with minty backseats in the junkyard.

 

[Zeke]

I have a rear seat out of an E46 3-series that I plan to make into a couch for the garage. I know this has been done before and was hoping someone would share their setup so that I can steal some of the design for mine. I don't need it to be on casters, since it will stay in place. I also don't have a preference for materials, but metal working is limited to metals I can buy at home depot and I don't have the ability to bend it. Thanks for the help!

You are very limited at buying metals at HD and no way to bend it. I assume that means no way to weld it either. For your case I'd suggest having a shop do the side frames. You can figure out some stretchers and bolting on your own.

I suggested a local college trade school in a previous thread. You might approach that angle as well because any project they can do with materials provided is less strain on their budget.

And you can order from metals online. You can even order simple fabrication online.

 

[rburke65]

I have the complete back seat out of a '66 Thunderbird in red that I bought at a swap meet for $60. Couldn't passit up! Bought it for this very thing.

 

[jweller]

Yup, 63 with a 79 Dodge bench. I've thought about trim, bumper, lights, but it took me about 10 years to even get paint on it. Work in progress I suppose.

I had a flywheel in my garage for that long before I finally made a clock out of it. Don't feel bad

 

[spngr311]

And you can order from metals online. You can even order simple fabrication online.

Any suggestions for a good online metal supply shop? When I bought some steel locally, they really didn't want to sell me the small quantities I needed for my last project (gran turismo racing seat). They did in the end, but they were pretty grumpy about it.

 

[mudman63]

Any suggestions for a good online metal supply shop? When I bought some steel locally, they really didn't want to sell me the small quantities I needed for my last project (gran turismo racing seat). They did in the end, but they were pretty grumpy about it.

Taking gaming to a whole new level. Nice job!!

 

[Lippyp]

That seat reminds me of a setup I saw around 1990 at anthe Mac User show in london. A company was showing an A10 tankbuster simulator, it had four screens to give all round views and a big seat in a frame with footpedals, joystick, and a small keypad and trackball built into the arm, amazing tech for the time. Price was around ten grand for the lot!

 

[Hornman]

You don't have to make the frame for those rear seat couches from metal. You can make them from plywood which you can cut with homeowner level tools. Most of the factory made couches have wood frames. If you can design a frame that will support the couch, you can build it from plywood. To finish, you can paint or upholster.