Seat Box Covers - Modification

The seat boxes of Defenders have two storage boxes underneath, the passenger side houses the battery, and in my case batteries and aux fuses and relays. The driver’s side is empty, at least for me, not sure that’s the case with all models.

The covers for these storage areas are a slide in type that has a latch externally. The lids have guides on the bottom, and the seat boxes have a lip at the back to hold the cover in place – which I have removed.

I was never keen on the latch that they come with as they sit on the external face of the seat box, behind the driver’s leg, and the locking system is a padlock. So I’ve decided to modify the covers to take an internal latch and lock.

Opting to do this has presented some challenges, such as needing to bring the seat box cover upward through the seat base as the latch prevents it from sliding. And in turn the corners of the cover clashing with the lower seat frame. I’ve overcome this by trimming the corners of the cover, as you’ll see below. I also cut an opening for the new latch – passenger side.

To allow fitment of this catch.

As I had removed the lip at the back of the seat box, I welded in taps on the cover.

Then a bit of box section was added to the underside of the sea box to ensure the latch engages firmly. Drivers side.

Then a hole was cut into the drivers cover for the lock unit.

Then two bits of flat bar were bent to shape to hold the lock into place, then drilled and tapped to accept bolts.

Then theses were welded on to the cover.

Bolts added to hold the lock into place.

Cover test fitted, drivers side.

Then all the parts were painted.

Latch unit added. Passenger side.

The foam sealant to stop any rattling

Fitted in place. And as you can see where the corners have been trimmed there are holes in the seat box. 

These were filled with painted aluminium. Passenger side.

Driver side.

I’m pleased with the result, and this was a job I’ve had waiting for some time so good to get it out the way with.