While there are no dues or fees for membership at El Camino
Central, we do rely upon member contributions to keep the site and server running smoothly. As membership grows, so does
site usage. Recently we have seen a huge jump in server load and bandwidth. As a result, at times we notice extremely
slow page loading. Many of you may have also noticed the new member rankings used to recognize supporting members.
Become a supporting member today and get your own cool rank!
Every little bit helps.
Show your support by making a
donation here:
Supporters
page
Posted: Fri
Jul 18, 2008 11:04
pm Post subject: EL CAMINO TRUNK
Am I the only person who takes the part of the bed cover (covers smugglers box) up, puts hinges on seals it all then adds locks and catches? There is a lot of wasted space there. I have a 2 ton floor jack, tool box, oil, and 2 1gallon water jugs in it with space left over. My 68 has it and my 74 had it. It makes a great trunk ( as long as you seal it good)
Once I got stopped by a cop and he asked if he could search my car. I said sure. at the time I had a spare tire over the cover. after he finished I said let me show you something, and I moved the tire lifted the cover. he said I could of had 10 pounds of pot in there to which I said I probably wouldn't have shown it to him and added the next time you search a El Camino you need to search it all. HaHa Lucky for me he had a sence of humor
It's a big hit at car shows, I will post pics. soon
Thanks
Donny _________________ SECOND PLACE IS THE FIRST LOSER
1968 El Camino S/S 396
I have mine hinged so that it divids it left and right. I don't use it for much I do have my battery hooked up in there. I mite try to sill it up from the outside cut a hole from the inside and put some subs in there.
As I've been working on my '69 I wanted to do more with this area. First idea was to open it up all the way across like my '86. Since I have the hold bed floor out I was considering making the bed floor one piece up to the window. Now the original be floor with supports is available and I plan to install this. I have two smuggle box covers that are in good condition and what you did is a great idea.
Let's see some photos!
Mike _________________ "That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical nature have been introduced." (Scientific American January 2, 1909).
This has been going on sense at least 1970 when I did it to my 69 to get a lockable area for some expensive eguipment for work. As running boats was my real job I took an idea we used on hatched areas of our fish holds and made a scuper channel around the inside of the box with a drain tube at the low corner, and still used a rubber seal. This would take any water that got past the seal and drain it without get any in the box. Also I have sean guyS put a deck tile in the bottom that keeps thing dry until you have 1/2" or more of water in the box, and the next thing that works real good is a one way Quacker Valve installed in the low corner and beat a little sump in the metal so the valve sets below the bottom of the box.
Just some ideas I have used and sean over the years, I only carry two chairs and a detail box now so I am stock with this Elky.
But have been thinking about dropping the back half of a 69 station wagon on so I can be a WAGATRUCK. HA HA _________________ "69" SS 396/350 HP with a stock outside, stock underside, stock inside and a splash of chrome and polish in the engine area.
http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_album488.html
Very cool There isn't much room in the center any ways since the hump is there, good place for a split. This can easily be made factory looking with some support ribs welded to the covers. Also have you thought about a simply channel added to the edge? The channel can have a drain and run off water, quite like a trunk channel. A seal can back this up.
Mike _________________ "That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical nature have been introduced." (Scientific American January 2, 1909).
Posted: Wed
Jul 30, 2008 11:58
am Post subject: Elky trunk
I did my hatch a little different. It is hinged in the front with a SS piano hinge and I built a tubular frame to stiffen it and for mounting a screw actuator. I used all the original bolt holes, so when closed it appears stock. It opens with a rocker switch located in the cab. If I knew how to post pictures on here I would do so.
Mike Holleman _________________ If you see my car on a trailer please dail 911 cause it's been stolen.
That sounds the coolest yet, I've thought about putting a motor on mine but I haven't gotten to it. If you can private message me with pics. I,d like to see them, however if it's real cool I may have to copy it. Just to let you know
Great Idea!
Thanks
Donny _________________ SECOND PLACE IS THE FIRST LOSER
1968 El Camino S/S 396
I do not do that. I have wood pieces that go across the bed to hold it tightly together so it does not sway. Well I just tie a big there or something strong onto the wood pieces and put what I want in there. _________________ El Camino Nation the second best El Camino forum on the web http://elcamino.freeforums.org/portal.php
Posted: Thu
Jul 31, 2008 8:43
pm Post subject: My hatch.
OK, I think I figured out how to post a picture of my smugglers hatch.
Mike Holleman
_________________ If you see my car on a trailer please dail 911 cause it's been stolen.
That's way cool dude! It looks like you put in a lot of hard work and head scratching, Great Job!
Donny _________________ SECOND PLACE IS THE FIRST LOSER
1968 El Camino S/S 396
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1045
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Fri
Aug 01, 2008 12:53
am Post subject:
Yeah I've thought about that too. I had some pretty bad rust damage around the frame of the "lid" that I used a grinder and a gallon of naval jelly to get the rust out of before I sealed it up.
If I ever decide the redo the bed I'll have to work around the line-x liner that I had sprayed in after the repairs. My bed will actually hold an inch of water like a big play pool.
If it happens to be out in a rainstrom (a rare occurrence) I use it to see how much rain fell by sticking a ruler in the corner and measuring the water level. It always matches what the weatherman says. So I guess I paid for a sprayed in liner and got a rain gauge as a bonus!
_________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
That's way cool dude! It looks like you put in a lot of hard work and head scratching, Great Job!
Donny
Donny, It actually took longer to think it thru than to do it. I did this back in 2001 when I first built the car. Now I am nearly done with a total redo on a tube chassis with an LS2 and six speed. Hence Xtremelky.
Mike _________________ If you see my car on a trailer please dail 911 cause it's been stolen.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Calendar
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Staff Site
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
There isn't much room in the center any ways since the hump is there, good place for a split. This can easily be made factory looking with some support ribs welded to the covers. Also have you thought about a simply channel added to the edge? The channel can have a drain and run off water, quite like a trunk channel. A seal can back this up.
