66HertzClone
Member
Thanks for the help, tips, and assistance AZ Pete, Craig, and Sluggo
Well after lots of procrastination and honey do this delays I finally have all but completed my trunk detailing. I wanted a flat floor in the trunk, with a hidden space that would serve to hold some tools and some detailing supplies I also have a fuel filler tube that Tarafied1 was kind enough to modify for me, that has been waiting to be installed. I decided to be brave and ditch the spare tire, I travel the deluxe AAA card and I'm not sure the spare would clear the front brakes, this cleared up a lot of space. I wanted the the wheel houses blocked out and the tail light panel covered, and a better trimming of the pass thru opening that the Distinctive Industries trunk kit provided.
I used cardboard to make patterns for the left and right sides, then transfered these to foam core board, finally to 1/4 or 1/2 MDF depending upon the location. Some 3/4 pine was used to make the vertical supports for the sides surrounding the fuel tank. I used some 1 x 2 pine underneath the sides to prevent sagging over time. I used two swivel rubber faced machine feet on each side, T nuts, and threaded rod to level the sides to each other and clear the spare tire hook. Once I had them where they needed to be I cut the rod off and filled the holes. The front piece was made to fit tight under the fold down extension that extends into the trunk. The rear piece fits between the rear panel and the fuel filler tube. The four pieces are fastened together with inside corner brackets, T nuts, and machine screws. I covered the top surfaces with carpet and the other sides with self adhesive vinyl. I used 1/4 MDF to make a cover for the top of the fuel tank, I plan to secure tool holders to this in the future.
The wheel houses were blocked off by making a piece for the side, which itself is three pieces, the side, a section to cover the front sloping wall of the trunk, and a lip to hide the gap between the trunk wall and the fiberglass surround. This mounts to the trunk hinge bracket with a couple of sheet metal screws. The rear piece was shaped to follow the contour of the quarter panel, then but against the side piece. I glued a section of 1 x 2 pine to it to give the screws at this joint something secure to fasten to. A section of aluminum angle was fastened to the floor behind the seam of the wheel house, a nutsert was placed in it so the rear piece would be held secure at the floor level.
I made panels to cover the tail light panel, it mounts by dropping into an aluminum channel secured to the lower panel. I made a box to cover the filler tube, I made it follow the contours as closely as possible. I also made it as tight as possible around the striker for the trunk latch. I found some metal brackets that allow it to slide down and lock tightly in place from above.
I trimmed the opening with 1/2 aluminum angle in order to protect the MDF from getting beaten up over time. More aluminum was used to make supports for the cover, T nuts and machine screws hold these in place. The cover is 1/2 MDF, covered with carpet and faced with the vinyl on the bottom. I edged it with windlace to protect it and keep it from rattling against the aluminm supports.
Left to complete is is lighting, I have some LED lamps that will be mounted, I'll use a mercury switch and an over ride switch so I can turn them off if I'm at a show or working back there. I need to find a better handle for the cover, the current one is too large and just doesn't look right.
Well after lots of procrastination and honey do this delays I finally have all but completed my trunk detailing. I wanted a flat floor in the trunk, with a hidden space that would serve to hold some tools and some detailing supplies I also have a fuel filler tube that Tarafied1 was kind enough to modify for me, that has been waiting to be installed. I decided to be brave and ditch the spare tire, I travel the deluxe AAA card and I'm not sure the spare would clear the front brakes, this cleared up a lot of space. I wanted the the wheel houses blocked out and the tail light panel covered, and a better trimming of the pass thru opening that the Distinctive Industries trunk kit provided.
I used cardboard to make patterns for the left and right sides, then transfered these to foam core board, finally to 1/4 or 1/2 MDF depending upon the location. Some 3/4 pine was used to make the vertical supports for the sides surrounding the fuel tank. I used some 1 x 2 pine underneath the sides to prevent sagging over time. I used two swivel rubber faced machine feet on each side, T nuts, and threaded rod to level the sides to each other and clear the spare tire hook. Once I had them where they needed to be I cut the rod off and filled the holes. The front piece was made to fit tight under the fold down extension that extends into the trunk. The rear piece fits between the rear panel and the fuel filler tube. The four pieces are fastened together with inside corner brackets, T nuts, and machine screws. I covered the top surfaces with carpet and the other sides with self adhesive vinyl. I used 1/4 MDF to make a cover for the top of the fuel tank, I plan to secure tool holders to this in the future.
The wheel houses were blocked off by making a piece for the side, which itself is three pieces, the side, a section to cover the front sloping wall of the trunk, and a lip to hide the gap between the trunk wall and the fiberglass surround. This mounts to the trunk hinge bracket with a couple of sheet metal screws. The rear piece was shaped to follow the contour of the quarter panel, then but against the side piece. I glued a section of 1 x 2 pine to it to give the screws at this joint something secure to fasten to. A section of aluminum angle was fastened to the floor behind the seam of the wheel house, a nutsert was placed in it so the rear piece would be held secure at the floor level.
I made panels to cover the tail light panel, it mounts by dropping into an aluminum channel secured to the lower panel. I made a box to cover the filler tube, I made it follow the contours as closely as possible. I also made it as tight as possible around the striker for the trunk latch. I found some metal brackets that allow it to slide down and lock tightly in place from above.
I trimmed the opening with 1/2 aluminum angle in order to protect the MDF from getting beaten up over time. More aluminum was used to make supports for the cover, T nuts and machine screws hold these in place. The cover is 1/2 MDF, covered with carpet and faced with the vinyl on the bottom. I edged it with windlace to protect it and keep it from rattling against the aluminm supports.
Left to complete is is lighting, I have some LED lamps that will be mounted, I'll use a mercury switch and an over ride switch so I can turn them off if I'm at a show or working back there. I need to find a better handle for the cover, the current one is too large and just doesn't look right.
