Like most 80 owners I’m at the point I can’t take the blown speakers anymore and read the threads here on recommendations as to which speakers to replace (super helpful). Seems like there isn’t any easy ways to replace the subwoofer or the need given quality speakers today - depending of course on your taste in music- sorry Notorious B.I.G fans- this hack is not for you.
Ive been looking for a FlexiTankfor over a year (with no luck) knowing all that space is there for the taking. I have a hard time sleeping just thinking about all that rear right quarter panel space going unused. Having finally given up on the FlexiTank (discontinued) plan I converted the the subwoofer space and hole to a kayak hatch for additional storage.
I purchased a $11 kayak hatch [6” (hole) 7/34” (exterior)] on Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B015B2QK46/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_4knXEbHGV8QJ3.
It comes with a 12” deep bag attached to a ring, but I plan to replace and sew a much larger one to the ring at the mouth of the hole. So far I store miscellaneous parts that can fit a 6” diameter opening.
Methods-
I took off the panel, unscrewed the subwoofer, amp, and bracket. Next I disconnected the subwoofer cover from the panel, then cleaned out 24 years of dirt that made its way into my 96’s quarter panel hold. I used an exacto knife to slightly widen the hole after tracing a line using the hatch opening, slipped the hatch in, screwed on the hatch lid so the handle sat parallel to the floor (asthetics), and then easily screwed in eight 1/4 wood screws that came with it. 20 minutes later I was done (not counting the cleaning and wiring straightening up). The Mrs was hoping I could hide the hatch with the subwoofer screen so we could more easily smuggle M80s and tequila across the border, but my skills prevented such debauchery.
Some hatches have a hinges and latch, but since I am getting drawers I selected the screw lid just in case for easy opening. Hopefully those of you that have dreamt of how to use that space will find this helpful.
Below are some pics of the results-
Ive been looking for a FlexiTankfor over a year (with no luck) knowing all that space is there for the taking. I have a hard time sleeping just thinking about all that rear right quarter panel space going unused. Having finally given up on the FlexiTank (discontinued) plan I converted the the subwoofer space and hole to a kayak hatch for additional storage.
I purchased a $11 kayak hatch [6” (hole) 7/34” (exterior)] on Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B015B2QK46/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_4knXEbHGV8QJ3.
It comes with a 12” deep bag attached to a ring, but I plan to replace and sew a much larger one to the ring at the mouth of the hole. So far I store miscellaneous parts that can fit a 6” diameter opening.
Methods-
I took off the panel, unscrewed the subwoofer, amp, and bracket. Next I disconnected the subwoofer cover from the panel, then cleaned out 24 years of dirt that made its way into my 96’s quarter panel hold. I used an exacto knife to slightly widen the hole after tracing a line using the hatch opening, slipped the hatch in, screwed on the hatch lid so the handle sat parallel to the floor (asthetics), and then easily screwed in eight 1/4 wood screws that came with it. 20 minutes later I was done (not counting the cleaning and wiring straightening up). The Mrs was hoping I could hide the hatch with the subwoofer screen so we could more easily smuggle M80s and tequila across the border, but my skills prevented such debauchery.
Some hatches have a hinges and latch, but since I am getting drawers I selected the screw lid just in case for easy opening. Hopefully those of you that have dreamt of how to use that space will find this helpful.
Below are some pics of the results-
