What Size Cubby Opening?

[F500guy]

All,
Before any wise cracks about size, seriously what works and what doesn't work very well, marking out my cut for homemade version. Going of script with a cubby and drop trunk.

Lance

[dbo_texas]

I used the Breeze cubby and my obround cutout is Ø5" (used hole saw) on 12" centers. So overall pill shape is about 5" x 17". Pics on my build thread HERE (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?40632-ATX-MKIV-9644-Coyote-Build-Thread-(Index-Post-1)&p=475177&viewfull=1#post475177)

[Mbufford]

Despite what my wife tells me, size does matter!

Im only aware of the Breeze one, which I plan to use. Is there a larger one out there?…

[Fman]

I also used the Breeze and cut mine around 14" width. If I were doing it again I would probably go entire width of the back trunk area. I have seen a few like this which really opens up the storage. This also exposes the roll bar and seat belt attachments which makes it much easier to access.

[Ted G]

I made my opening a little larger than Breeze's suggestion of 14"; I just thought the larger would be better. In all honesty, I wish I would have kept part of the trunk still part of the trunk and kept the cubby isolated to just the 16 inch box or so... just so I could get longer things in there like a chair, or a huge bottle of wine, etc.

[Blitzboy54]

I went with 14 inch cuby opening as well. I didn't like the look of the 17.5 Mark recommends. I see Fman's point, I will change out the belts at some point and it will in fact be a PIA. Having said that I still think if I was to do it again I would keep it the same.

[RJD]

Having a lockable access panel to the cubby from the cockpit is a nice option. You can find these doors if you google marine glove boxes. If you go that route, you're limited to the width between the seats so the seats don't interfere with opening the door.

189253

[Sarcasticshrub]

I did the same without the kit. It's just the hole to the back. I wanted the option of keeping the area completely open for larger items or adding a temporary box between the bars to reduce the size as needed. Similar hole size with the length between the roll bars. Looks just like the one dbo_texas has on his build (above).

[MPTech]

I just measured mine, I created the opening 26". I like the roll-bar legs showing and it makes it easier to put a light jacket / hat in there.

[i.e.427]

Go big or don't bother. If you ever have to replace your shoulder straps, you'll thank me.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189259&d=1692851286

[rich grsc]

100%, make it as large as you like.

[F500guy]

Thanks for all the feed back. Now what else to spend time and money on. I ordered the Aluminum, man that stuff has got expensive!

[Jeff Kleiner]

I agree to make it large (and not just because I've had to fight through small openings to get to roll bar bolts when tearing cars down for paint---GRRRR! :mad: ). One suggestion based on experience: leave a lip about 1 1/2-2" high at the front so that items in the cubby area like phones, glasses, Mama's purse, etc. don't come sliding forward when you brake. As Frank said; you'll thank me later ;)

Jeff

[egchewy79]

or you could stretch a cargo net across it like what you might find in the trunk of a commercial vehicle.

[rich grsc]

or you could stretch a cargo net across it like what you might find in the trunk of a commercial vehicle.
One more thing to fight with when you need to get in there. :(

[DW66]

I made my false cubby wall removable so I can get to the seat belts and cubby lighting easier.

Dave

[AA-ron]

I think mine is about 16" wide. I ended up making a small aluminum box to cover just the cubbie so that I could still fit longer items in the trunk to the right and left. This proved helpful when I threw some folding chairs in there recently. Usually my phone is sitting back there charging (out of sight out of mind). I'm not sure if it will be helpful or not, but here's a link to the video of how I cobbled the box together. Also, I would highly recommend putting a couple of bright LEDs in the back of the box. It's nice because it not only lights the cubbie, but more importantly it lights the entire dash and seating area. It's been nice to be able to read maps and other things as there's really no other place for good lighting to accomplish the same effect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBI2Um-GHpw

[phileas_fogg]

I started out with the intention of using the Breeze Cubby, but then decided I didn't want my garage door opener sliding behind the far roll bar post & getting stuck. So I made a 13" wide x 7 " tall x 9" deep (at the bottom) box that fits between the roll bars. I seem to recall I left myself 1" clearance to the roll bars, and it's just enough.

I cut the opening 11" across & 4" tall. I think I used 2" radius corners, because that's the biggest hole saw I had. Definitely follow Jeff's advice & leave about a 1 to 1 1/2" lip at the bottom. Speaking of which, I carpeted the bottom to keep things from sliding around to much and dampening any "thunk" when they did.

Finally, I used some windlace from Virginia Classic Mustang to cover the edge of my behind-the-seat cubby.

The size is perfect (for me). I keep the aforementioned garage door opener, a bag of disposable ear plugs, and a baseball hat in there, and still have room to stuff a light jacket or whatever.


John

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189279&d=1692904899

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