[rkenly]

I had a piano hinge welded to the top of the piece to make a smugglers compartment.

How do I make it leak proof and rrrraaaatttle proof?

What has everyone else done?

>>>Rod<<<

 

[mike reeh]

Im not sure i understand... what year are you talking about btw?? elaborate please

mike

 

[rkenly]

Mike,

In the bed of the Elky's (mine is '68), there is a cover plate in the floor of the bed, all the way forward. There are approx 24-26 bolts holding it down. If you unbolt it and remove it, you will find quite a bit of room in there. You will see the little "pass-thru box" which goes from the interior of the car into this area. This "pass-thru box" is about 20% of the rest of the compartment. So if you pull this box, you now have access to the "smuggler's compartment". It is @ 1/4 the size of the entire bed.

I believe this is the area normally used by the back seat, when this frame is used for the station wagon. This is my guess, but don't know for sure.

>>>Rod<<<

 

[Alan F]

I don't mean to sound discouraging, but it is next to impossible to keep that area dry. I had a piano hinge on one of my El Caminos also. I sealed where the box came into the cab. Then make sure the area under the bed drains real well.

You can put jumper cables, jacks, chains, oil, tools, etc. Just not anything that is susceptible to water.

FWIW, I used two dzus fasteners on the opening side to hold it down.

Good luck.

------------------
See you at Chevell-abration!

 

[Dave Kaveshan]

You could use thin rubber strips (1/16" thick x 1/2" to 1" wide as a gasket to stop the rattles. It might even seal the water out with some work but thats just a guess. I've never seen one successfully waterproofed. Dave

 

[elcamino]

B-T-W The reason this is there is because the sta-wagon floor pan was used in the ELC. Thats the rear seat foot space there.

[This message has been edited by elcamino (edited 05-16-99).]

 

[Rob F]

Like Dave said, I've never seen one that was waterproof AND had an easily removed panel. Mine also rattles and drives me crazy. I have tried thin rubber strips all around the edge, but this didn't work. I think I'm going to try some sort of weather stripping next to eliminate the rattle, but I don't plan on this being waterproof as well. What I really need is a source for the special bolts that hold the panel down. So far, I haven't been able to find any. Anyone know where to get these?