To Drop Trunk or To Not Drop Trunk? That is the question.

[rsw81]

I'm getting to the point in my build where I need to decide if I'm going to keep the stock trunk sheet metal or go for the drop trunk mod. I've read somewhere that doing so makes accessing the body mounting hardware near impossible. Is there a reasonable way around this that I haven't read about yet?

I'd like the additional space, but not at the cost of making taking the body on/off, rear bumper, etc impossible.

Thanks,
Rob

[Papa]

I didn't think it would make a big difference and opted to forego the dropped trunk. If I were to build again, there is no question that I'd do one.

[boat737]

If you do the Kliener bumper mod, there's no question, do it. There is no down side IMHO.

I did the Dark Water Customs dropped trunk.

[GTBradley]

My painter and one other that I talked to both said you don’t need the mod to access the hardware. In fact, they both remove it when they encounter it. I did the drop trunk and am glad I did. It’s a fun little project while you are building too. Totally worth it in my opinion.

[RJD]

Love mine. Just do it. You'll regret it if you don't.

[MSumners]

I debated as well, briefly. Not even finished yet but very glad I decided to do it. My thought is that if you consider it and don’t do it you will wish you had.
Of course, that’s why I abandoned a budget months ago as well.

[Jim1855]

Mike,

If you plan any travelling more than just cruising you'll appreciate the additional storage space.

In a previous life and different car I had more trunk space and still filled that when driving to events. Tools, supplies, helmet, clothes, camera gear, personal safety devices and more, it was stuffed.

Even if all you do is a car show and want a small cooler, folding chairs and a few comfort items you'll quickly fill up available space.

Jim in GR

[edwardb]

The body mounting issue, and the recommended "Kleiner mod," is mainly because of the gas tank. You'll have trouble accessing the bolts even without the dropped trunk mod. I highly recommend both mods.

Free editorial comment: Many add the box in the space above the gas tank, which is really easy to do. Whether you buy it from Russ Thompson (only source I know of right now) or fabricate yourself. I've done both. Many also cut the frame pieces and weld in new ones that don't cross above the new opening. That complicates things a bit, especially if you're like me and don't weld and don't want to change FF's frame. But even with the frame pieces across the opening, which is what I've done on both, it's still valuable and usable space.

[ydousurf]

I plan to go with the drop trunk mod on my build too. So, when you say "Russ Thompson" are you referring to this site?
http://www.norcal-cobras.com/store/russ_garage/mk3/mk3.html
I don't see it listed? But I do see the turn signal, which I also plan to do as well.

Thanks,
Dj

[edwardb]

I plan to go with the drop trunk mod on my build too. So, when you say "Russ Thompson" are you referring to this site?
http://www.norcal-cobras.com/store/russ_garage/mk3/mk3.html
I don't see it listed? But I do see the turn signal, which I also plan to do as well.

Thanks,
Dj

Yes. As I recall it's not on his site. Just email Russ. Like you're doing with the turn signal.

[ydousurf]

Thanks Paul! I will plan to contact him next week.

Dj

[CraigS]

Drop the trunk. It is very worthwhile. Leave the square tubes. I made a hinged cover
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49321027863_687c2f0575_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i9kagn)Trunk 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2i9kagn) by craig stuard (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152454123@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49321524961_429b147650_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i9nH32)Trunk2 (https://flic.kr/p/2i9nH32) by craig stuard (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152454123@N04/), on Flickr
Even w/ other stuff in the trunk I can raise the rear half to access or stow small items.

[Sdonnel]

Like others have said, it's one of the best, and easiest mods to do BEFORE you start placing sheet metal. My brother and I cut the chassis and boxed in the perimeter using 3/4" by .125" wall tubing. Prior to cutting the V shaped brace out, we placed some support pieces in case the chassis "sprung" a little. No issue with movement. As you can see in the picture, we also added some material to mount the right side of the frame to as well. We may have added 5 lbs to the car, but the space we gained is quite a bit.

Go for it.

Scott119914

[GoDadGo]

The one thing I wish I would have done was the Drop Trunk option like CraigS.
His cover design really looks Super-Duper Functional.
Bravo Sir Craig, Bravo!

[ydousurf]

Hey thanks everyone for the feedback, especially Rob for starting this thread! I was planning on asking about this very topic and all the various implementations that have been done to maximize the space in the trunk. I am looking through many build threads as well. I do know that I plan to get a soft top and will most likely have that in the trunk at times when traveling, so I just want to create as much usable space as possible. If there are any other innovative ideas or advice on the subject on the trunk in general, by all means post them. It's very much appreciated!

Dj

[edwardb]

The only other mod that will improve trunk space is to move the battery from the stock location on the trunk floor. Commonly moved under the floor (FFMetals) or to the front (Breeze). Depends on your build, e.g. pretty sure FFMetals doesn't work with IRS, and your preferences. Lots of posts and mentions about this in build threads.

[Papa]

Lots of inventive approaches taken to modify the chassis. One word of caution, don't be tempted to make modifications that prevent the fuel tank from moving forward in a rear end collision. The two vertical tubes at the front of the tank should not be made rigid.

[CDXXVII]

Drop the trunk. One of my best mods. No cover on mine and it's just fine that way.

You can see that I am using the ffmetal battery box and I also used a variation of the Kleiner body/bumper mount.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=119917&d=1578061097

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=119918&d=1578061135

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=119935&d=1578077900

[Norm B]

I did the cut and weld drop trunk mod. With the Breeze front battery mount and the solid axle rear end I also able to add a storage box forward of the trunk.
Here are some pictures. The 1st is the original configuration. The 2nd is the new framing above the tank. The 3rd is most of the aluminum installed with the storage box visible at the front and the 4th is it carpeted during the final body fit before it was removed for paint.

HTH

Norm

[DadofThree]

Getting that added trunk space is a MUST in my book. I'm surprised by how much room it adds.

https://live.staticflickr.com/892/41065877000_c5b72c04f9.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/25yRmw5)20180615_073032 (https://flic.kr/p/25yRmw5) by D. R. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/annabellerose/), on Flickr

I used Cobra Earl's Kit for my build. I cut a hole in the side of the sheetmetal of the drop trunk where I would need to access the body bolt. When mounted, covered it up. No problem. Sorry, no pic of hole, but It's the same as the hole that came with the FFR trunk sheetmetal.

https://live.staticflickr.com/316/32306715320_dd9ac7e5a6.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RdQmV7)DSCN3133 (https://flic.kr/p/RdQmV7) by D. R. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/annabellerose/), on Flickr

[phileas_fogg]

Do it! The drop trunk mod is super handy.

One thing I found when I made my lower box is that the trunk framing was not square. No big deal, just be prepare to make some adjustments on the fly if you "roll your own."

Also, if you're going to use the long #10-32 screw F5 provides for the trunk latch, pay close attention to how the inner trunk wall complicates the installation. It's virtually impossible to get the nut into position between the inner & outer trunk walls. I ended up using a screen door latch (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B073TW43X4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) screwed to the lower trunk lip & reinforced with a backing plate.


John

https://live.staticflickr.com/4414/36217573721_d684f4b3c8_4k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XbqwSe)IMG_1815 (https://flic.kr/p/XbqwSe) by jhsitton (https://www.flickr.com/photos/91016165@N07/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/1934/45250319211_edac8ecf20_4k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bWBHpr)IMG_5043 (https://flic.kr/p/2bWBHpr) by jhsitton (https://www.flickr.com/photos/91016165@N07/), on Flickr

[Avalanche325]

Definitely do it! You gain a considerable amount of space. I did it on a completed car, which was still no big deal, but would certainly be easier to do during the build. A helmet will not fit in the trunk without it. That was my deciding factor. I don't have a cover, and that works best for my use, which is a small cooler and helmet in that space.

As far as the body hardware. How often do you plan on taking the body off? My plan is pretty much never. 24,000 miles and never even thought about it. If you do need to remove the body, it takes 12 minutes to pull the gas tank once the car is jacked up. I actually timed it once. Of course the Kliener mod is an option if you think you need it.

[cv2065]

Yeah OK...I'll say it. I wish that I had done the drop trunk mod. Now let me get back to my headlight install. :)

[rsw81]

Thanks for all of the replies. Seems like a no brainer in terms of usability. So why are there posts about accessing the rear bolts/mounts being a problem related to this if it's really an issue of the gas tank being in the way? Is it harder to remove the tank because of the drop trunk? What is the Kleiner mod? Search mostly brings up people's build threads.

[brewha]

I personally think the Kliener mod is safer then keeping it stock. The bolts are less apt to be projectiles going towards the gas tank in a rear end collision. What do others think?

[Papa]

Thanks for all of the replies. Seems like a no brainer in terms of usability. So why are there posts about accessing the rear bolts/mounts being a problem related to this if it's really an issue of the gas tank being in the way? Is it harder to remove the tank because of the drop trunk? What is the Kleiner mod? Search mostly brings up people's build threads.

Kleiner Mod: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?14243-Rear-quick-jack-mounting&highlight=coupler

We should ask Dave about a Kleiner sticky thread to gather all of Jeff's "how to" info in one safe place.

[Papa]

I personally think the Kliener mod is safer then keeping it stock. The bolts are less apt to be projectiles going towards the gas tank in a rear end collision. What do others think?

Oh come on now. What's wrong with mounting an 8" bolt 3" from your fuel tank and then smacking the protruding end of the bolt with a 2-ton hammer moving at 40 miles/hour? What could possibly go wrong? :confused:

[brewha]

Thanks for all of the replies. Seems like a no brainer in terms of usability. So why are there posts about accessing the rear bolts/mounts being a problem related to this if it's really an issue of the gas tank being in the way? Is it harder to remove the tank because of the drop trunk? What is the Kleiner mod? Search mostly brings up people's build threads.

The problem is really about taking the body off and on multiple times as most of us do during the build process. The top body bolts are hidden above the tank and only has enough room for the skinniest of fingers to get through. With the tank out of the car it’s not an issue, but once you have fuel and fuel lines attached to the gas tank it’s a lot of work to get to 2 bolts. Kliener’s mod makes it easier and safer.

[steno]

Do it! You’ll thank me later... over and over!

[toadster]

I'd like to have the drop trunk, but opted for a larger gas tank!

[steno]

Someone expanded their trunk space by opening up the area behind the splash guards and boxed it in. Took a bit of fabrication, but gave some nice out of the way/secure storage!

[phileas_fogg]

Someone expanded their trunk space by opening up the area behind the splash guards and boxed it in. Took a bit of fabrication, but gave some nice out of the way/secure storage!

I seem to recall one builder used that volume for his battery.


John