Replacing full size spare with space saver in LS

[Redteg]

I was asked to take photos of this to help people who would prefer to have a flat and better looking boot. It isn't difficult to do and provides a good result. Spare cost me around $40, whilst for the boot floor I used MDF which couldn't have amounted to more that $15. I painted it cause I'm pedantic like that.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~akarayiannis/boot_carpet.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~akarayiannis/boot_wood.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~akarayiannis/boot_spare.JPG

[deceivin]

looks sweet as. im guna go look for a space saver tyre this week. thanks mate.

[EG_2_TEG]

looks pro

what was the width (mm) of the MDF u used in ur boot
i need to replace the floor in my boot

[[zeth]]

Wow that's a great idea!
Nice job

[A'PEXi]

maybe a diy mate? :D

[Redteg]

Ok, a DIY it is, one of the mods can move it if necessary.

1) Get MDF, I think mine is 6mm. The original thing was like thick cardboard, so i figured this was plenty.

2) Remove boot carpet, and trace it onto the MDF. The wood wasn't wide enough to go to the edges, but that doesn't matter.

3) Once traced, reduce either side approximately 5cm, so that the wood sits on the metal floor, and not on the plastic trim pieces in the boot. (I first cut it out the same size as the carpet, then tried to fit it in the boot, repeat doing this so that you make sure u get a good fit, and that you can actually fit it in! don't cut too much)

4)Test fit it, if you're happy with its size, try to approximate where the spare will sit under it. Trace the spare onto the MDF.

5) Cut out the circle you have drawn using a jigsaw, go a tad bigger to allow easy spare removal (I went a bit wonky). At this stage you can cut out a finger tab so u can get the cover off easily. I also drilled a hole so as to make a little latch (can be seen towards the back of the car)

6) Glue a piece of MDF underneath your new false floor, towards the front of the car (cant be seen, its under my sub box). This will ensure the round cover will go back on flush. It only needs to stick out a centimetre or so. Use an offcut.

7) Glue foam underneath any parts of the wood which will have direct contact with the metal boot floor. This will minimise squeaks and rubbing of the paint.

8 ) Paint if you like.

9) Put false floor back into boot, I cut mine so that it sat under a couple of trim pieces on either side, so there was no need to fix it down.

10) Put space saver spare in the boot, flip the conical bracket on the spare tyre screw over so that it holds it down, and tighten.

11) Put tyre circle cover in place. The little lip you glued in the front should hold it flat, whilst I found the rear of the cover rested at a perfect height on the spare. The latch prevented all this from moving. If u put in a latch, make it flat so it doesnt wear out your carpet.

12) Sit back and write a better DIY article than me! hehe

This was to be a temporary false floor, as I was fibreglassing my spare tyre well for a sub enclosure. Take your time and the false floor will look 10000 times better than mine.

It has lasted over 2 years and that is with me putting some heavy stuff on it, as well as me standing in there a few times (I like to stand in the boot). It has allowed me to safely stash all my emergency tools, a mini compressor, water, and cleaning gear under there too! If your sub box moves, you can glue on a strip of mdf to keep it in place. The bump left in front of the box will be barely visible.

[b16a_integra]

very nice, ill be doing that now, since my original cardboard thingy is all snapped up n stuff, i havent botheres to put anything in, but now thats what ill be doin.

[A'PEXi]

very nice mate, thanks for that :D

[Cold Fusion]

i did mine, but i made a 3 piece, and all together it cost me 130 (inclusing space saver) because i brought fabric instead of painting it.

but yeh, either way is good, i would just find it easier to pull out the false floor in 3 pieces because tis lighter than trying to pull out one small bit for the tyre, and then one big bit for the rest of it.

[SKREMN]

so your saying the three peices are side middle side
so you only open up to access the wheel area
prolly wouldnt be able to open it if it was full size

i was going to do that but instead i now got no spare no trims no carpet

[__arjay__]

Nooo this is wat he ment..
http://members.westnet.com.au/intencity/images/Gen2Teg/False%20Floor%20comparison.jpg

I made it for him!

[__arjay__]

PLUS this thread is soo last YEAR!!!

[wkdteg]

LoL still applies. redteg, can u refresh the pics?
i just created a once piece item, with a hatch fort the wheel to go into. so if i ever need to change the tire, i just push the rear seats down, move the subbies, and open the hatch.
where can i get a space saver from?
cheers

[Redteg]

Damn, I forgot about this thread! I'll see if I have any pics on the old computer wkdteg. Otherwise I'll take pics of the 2-piece floor tomorrow. If anyone wants it it's free!

For the time being, it looks like the image below. Thanks to Arjay for the pic! In the end though, consider your needs, materials and the tools available to you. Your car, so you design it! Just take other ideas as suggestions.


http://members.optusnet.com.au/akarayiannis/bootfloor.jpg


My new floor is 5 panels all up, with the main center piece hinging up from near the rear seat (I hope! Still in the making, should all be done by the end of Jan). Preview pic of the new box from mid last week... This install will be my last for this car and the most practical, as it really becomes my daily driver and I look towards investing my time and money into more important things. Think of it as a last fling if you will.

I'm only losing 25mm or so of boot depth. Also I'm still deciding on trim material, and must choose before I do the final measurements and cuts. I'm not keen on the carpet though. I may go velour (but it crushes with weight), and get a thicker new carpet made to throw over the top.



3 years of planning, the 3rd spare tyre well box I've made for the car. Figured I should get this done cause I have to cart my bike around in the back quite often now. Just don't know whether I should show off the inside of the amp, I've already whipped up a perspex rear cover for it.

People seem to go for flashy these days, whereas I'd rather it all remains stealth and simple.http://members.optusnet.com.au/akarayiannis/boxbasenbaffle_sml.jpg

[wkdteg]

thanx dude
lookin fwd 2 seein it, aswell as the final product of wat ur conjuring up this time. its good to c wat fellow LS owners have done with the boot. i was cquite freaked out when i noticed there wasnt a floor or anythin.
im also thinkin of redoing my boot. i completed my 1st 1 in july, but it was a rush job of about 2days work, which included full audio install. im tryin to think up other ideas of wat i can do which includes 2subs and an amp.
ill keep yas updated
cheers

[Cold Fusion]

yeh, as i said, mine one is like RJs, i think its much easier to pull out coz it is lighter if you need the whole false floor out.

and i got ideas if u want them wkdteg, i always got some good suggstions for custom installs hehe but i got no time now, ill put soomething up later for u to have a look at :)

[wkdteg]

sweet dude
pm me or sumthin
ive got a couple months of holidays to make a few things up hehe

[mik]

Ive made a solid boot floor for my LS and will post up some picks so u can c em wkdteg, this is a good thread and if you guys post pics itll give me more ideas...redteg how are you going to make a sealed box, will it be half fibre glass, coz i have an article on making a box with a fibreglass bottom?

[Redteg]

The base is fibreglass, the rear wall is mdf, as is the top. Floor is all done, just need to do the grille properly, and I may need to redo the panels closest to the rear as I am getting a new amp. The amp currently sits at the bottom left, space saver spare is still in there as are all tools. The floor has supported my weight easily, and has carried 3 mountain bikes with ease.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~akarayiannis/Boot.JPG

I was meant to have completed all the little things during my break, but the car has been away to have some panel damage fixed. I got it back on the weekend in time to take pics for FRE33K, but I've put it back in to get the front bar redone!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~akarayiannis/Front.JPG

[FR33K]

thanks !!