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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: 1077
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.
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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.
