Hatch-Floor Compartment Door....

[mikeinDE]

Has anybody done anything wild or trick with their hatch-floor compartment door? The reason I put this in the audio section is cuz one of my amps is mounted in that compartment, and I am pretty sure I have read that some of you have done the same thing. So has anybody done anything cool with this little door to compliment their audio setup? I used to have a plexi panel that was partially wrapped black on the borders and left clear in the center so you could look in to see the amp. And so I took out the factory door and just set the plexi down and it would fit right on the lip of the top of the compartment. But it was too thin and too weak for my fancy, as it literally got cracked all to hell before I ever took any pics of it. But now I am thinking about getting a black diamond plate panel to substitute for the factory door. Obviously realizing the clip closure would not be functional, but I still think it would look nice with my setup and compliment things very well....

Let me hear your ideas, or post up pics of something you have already done to yours.....

(but now as I reread what I wrote, kinda worried the diamond plate may cut up the carpet, hhhmmmm)

 

[DDonnie]

Has anybody done anything wild or trick with their hatch-floor compartment door? The reason I put this in the audio section is cuz one of my amps is mounted in that compartment, and I am pretty sure I have read that some of you have done the same thing. So has anybody done anything cool with this little door to compliment their audio setup? I used to have a plexi panel that was partially wrapped black on the borders and left clear in the center so you could look in to see the amp. And so I took out the factory door and just set the plexi down and it would fit right on the lip of the top of the compartment. But it was too thin and too weak for my fancy, as it literally got cracked all to hell before I ever took any pics of it. But now I am thinking about getting a black diamond plate panel to substitute for the factory door. Obviously realizing the clip closure would not be functional, but I still think it would look nice with my setup and compliment things very well....

Let me hear your ideas, or post up pics of something you have already done to yours.....

(but now as I reread what I wrote, kinda worried the diamond plate may cut up the carpet, hhhmmmm)

I bet there is some sort of weather stripping you could find to put on the edge of the plate to get rid of the edges. Probably take a trip to a few hardware stores, but i bet there is something out there.

 

[mikeinDE]

ahhh, I see what you are getting at.

 

[Darkrider_LS]

Could always lock it into place with dzus fasteners at the corners.

View attachment 29036

 

[mikeinDE]

Very Nice, I like that alot! I just googled and found these, Dzus Six-Pack Of D-Ring Fasteners

 

[DDonnie]

Very Nice, I like that alot! I just googled and found these, Dzus Six-Pack Of D-Ring Fasteners

Dude, those are hot. Also, perfect for the look of your truck.

 

[mikeinDE]

Dude, those are hot. Also, perfect for the look of your truck.

Cool! I'm glad you agree with me on those


At first this whole thing was something I was just tossing around, But now I really wanna see this come to fruition!

 

[Darkrider_LS]

Glad you liked the suggestion!

 

[mikeinDE]

Glad you liked the suggestion!

Yes! thanks to you both for throwing out ideas!!

 

[06_GATOR_VOY]

anyone have pics of the amp installed in this area....also how did you get the wires into the compartment?

 

[Blckshdw]

anyone have pics of the amp installed in this area....also how did you get the wires into the compartment?

Had to go through my mini meets thread on the OS to dig these up. Not my TB, this is David's (Decembersend)

I can't remember exactly, how the wires are run. At the time these pics were taken, we were taking his amps out, to move them to the side panel instead.

 

[alchapwn]

Don't know if you're still set on a clear option, but i know they make this stuff thats comparable to plexiglass called Lexan.

Its not acrylic sheeting like plexiglass, its actually polycarbonate sheeting. A bit more cost, but very, very hard to break. I believe they make racecar windshields and jet cockpits out of the stuff... If you wanna step it up a notch and go scratch resistant, they have the same stuff in a "mar-resistant" option. Also, more pricey. I would go with at least 1/4" thick if you get it.
If i were gonna do it, i would go with a thicker plexi and get the colored stuff. It doesnt only come in clear!

If you have a problem sourcing it from a lumber yard, your local autoglass/window and mirror shop should have some. Hell, for as small as that is, u might ask if they have some scrap they can sell ya for cheap from a previous order. Get a block size big enough to cover what u need, get ya a rotozip with a cutting head (maybe a dremel will do too) and go to town!

 

[mikeinDE]

anyone have pics of the amp installed in this area....also how did you get the wires into the compartment?

I will try to get some pics of my setup tomoro. But can't help with the wiring question. I Had an audio shop do mine.

And alchapwn, thanks for the input, I like your ideas, but my first option for this is gonna be a black diamond plate idea with pins at the corners to hold it down. But if that don't work, then I think I would like to do a thick colored plexi....

 

[alchapwn]

I will try to get some pics of my setup tomoro. But can't help with the wiring question. I Had an audio shop do mine.

And alchapwn, thanks for the input, I like your ideas, but my first option for this is gonna be a black diamond plate idea with pins at the corners to hold it down. But if that don't work, then I think I would like to do a thick colored plexi....

If you wanna take care of those sharp edges on the diamond plate for cheap, you could just take some air hose, or any small diameter, rubber hose for that matter, split it like a hotdog bun and run it around the edge of your metal. Im sure that comes in different colors too!

 

[mikeinDE]

Ahhhh. That sounds like it would be a good low-profile solution....

 

[mikeinDE]

Now you got me thinking. I have random green accents in my truck. So now I'm thinking a nice thick green plexi with some green hose "capping" the edges. I may have to see which (diamond plate vs plexi) will be easier on my wallet....

 

[alchapwn]

Now you got me thinking. I have random green accents in my truck. So now I'm thinking a nice thick green plexi with some green hose "capping" the edges. I may have to see which (diamond plate vs plexi) will be easier on my wallet....

Here's some food for thought. Green plexi with that green led tape stuff surrounding the edges (facing in) then wrapped in neon green air hose (i know they make it, we have it at work) then, here's a cool trick, you sand the plexi however you want (logo, your name, stencil) and the light will refract off of the logo and shine like those menu things at bars that have the specials on them...

I wonder if this makes any sense..

Here's a pic i found online of what im talkin about
View attachment 29065

 

[mikeinDE]

That is P I M P

 

[06_GATOR_VOY]

I will try to get some pics of my setup tomoro. But can't help with the wiring question. I Had an audio shop do mine.

..

ok thanks.

 

[mikeinDE]

Here's how my amp is setup in there

 

[Darkrider_LS]

What about diamond plate on top of lexan with the dzus fasteners? Could cut out a design in the diamond plate and have the lexan back it like they do with custom computer cases.

 

[Darkrider_LS]

Heres an example:

 

[06_GATOR_VOY]

Here's how my amp is setup in there

i like that setup... looks like a small suitcase in there

 

[Sir ffeJ]

Heres an example:

Nice setup, reminds me of when I did mine

As for the cargo cover, I'd go with a plexiglass one, but only if you don't plan on putting anything in the back(scratches).

 

[mikeinDE]

Well, I was hoping to have good news about this today. But looks like it'll have to wait 'til next Monday. And patience is not my strong suit.

 

[alchapwn]

Well, I was hoping to have good news about this today. But looks like it'll have to wait 'til next Monday. And patience is not my strong suit.

What happened?? Make sure you post some pics once you have it done

 

[mikeinDE]

I had an appt at a shop today to get it all done, but he didn't get the "materials" in time. So we rescheduled for next Monday. I say "materials" cuz I'm not divulging what route I'm going yet. But will def take pics when it's done.

 

[alchapwn]

I had an appt at a shop today to get it all done, but he didn't get the "materials" in time. So we rescheduled for next Monday. I say "materials" cuz I'm not divulging what route I'm going yet. But will def take pics when it's done.

I have to say, i like the suspense. I'm getting amped up for you! (no-homo)

 

[MAY03LT]

"Materials" - a mimetic polyalloy?

 

[mikeinDE]

Ima have a waterfall come out of the ceiling and run into a fish pond into that floor compartment. Haha.

 

[xtitan1]

Only thing cool I ever had was I used to keep some Night-Vision Goggles in there. I was a wannabe soldier my whole life (I guess I still am lol)

 

[mikeinDE]

Well it's not as elaborate as some of you mentioned. But it's still different and I like it. (Originally was gonna put hood pins at each corner to lock it down, but at $40 a pair, I couldn't justify that cost. Maybe later down the road will add the hood pins.)

 

[06_GATOR_VOY]

who did your audio install? love it.

- - - Updated - - -

also what did you put under the diamond plate?

 

[Hatchet]

I'm still debating on weather to turn it into a cooler or just put a locking door on it and use it as a safe.

 

[mikeinDE]

who did your audio install? love it.

- - - Updated - - -

also what did you put under the diamond plate?

1. I have had 3 local audio shops around me (here in Delaware) do some work. Thanks!!

2. See Post #20 here in this thread




(If you go over to the build threads and look for mikeinDE, I have a thread in there and you can find some more pics of the audio, just FYI)

 

[Darkrider_LS]

I'm still debating on weather to turn it into a cooler or just put a locking door on it and use it as a safe.

I use it to store my recovery gear personally.

to the OP, Looks great!

 

[DARKASS04EXT]

Ima have a waterfall come out of the ceiling and run into a fish pond into that floor compartment. Haha.

years ago, i actually had a friend that did fish tank installs into vehicles. He had done a few where he took out the glove box and airbag, and had viewing cutouts in the panels. It was for show only, you couldnt leave the the fish in there unless it was somewhere climate controlled.

 

[mikeinDE]

years ago, i actually had a friend that did fish tank installs into vehicles. He had done a few where he took out the glove box and airbag, and had viewing cutouts in the panels. It was for show only, you couldnt leave the the fish in there unless it was somewhere climate controlled.

Anybody I might know? sounds like a "Joe's Car Stereo" project. I think I have seen one or two of their cars down at the OC CAR SHOW (outside) that have had some waterfall type installs in the trunk and whatnot.....

 

[Mark20]

Nice!

 

[djthumper]

What do you have latching down now?