Under the hood storage (1 Viewer)

[highfructose]

This may be controversial but it seems like there is some unused space under the hood of the 200.

I added a Jack stand, set of jumper cables, and compressor.

Initially i just crammed a normal “slime” compressor into the spot an arb compressor is usually installed...but later actually mounted the mid sized arb compressor.

per some recommendation of forum members, I reinstalled the plastic under the hood too-supposedly it assists with air flow through the radiator. I didn’t reinstall all the little plastic pushpins...the plastic bits stay in place fine and I like the ability to quickly pull them out to get to the compressor or inspect the engine bay. The stuff I added fits fine under the plastic.

I put the “head” of the Jack stand in the center of the coiled jumper cables.

you can see my JB weld radiator patch I proactively placed over the “weak spot” Of our radiator in the photo too.

 

[427Monster]

Are you doing it because you have absolutely no space elsewhere? Or because you don’t like the idea of unused space?

Not sure I like having something heavy and pointy like a jackstand held by a bungee under the hood. If I were to do it, I probably strap/bolt a metal ammo can inside.

 

[TeCKis300]

I've always thought to build some custom enclosure to store a few things underhood. Basic hand tools and maybe some air hose accessories. Particularly the space where you have the jackstand is pretty spacious once the power steering reservoir is moved over. Never got around to it and now the space is consumed by some other mods. The 200-series doesn't exactly have a ton of storage cubies inside so any bit helps.

 

[KLF]

I'm trying to think of a scenario where you might need to carry a jack stand. That thing will turn to a blob of rust and abrade it's way through your inner fender before you'll ever need it on the road.

 

[rlynch356]

I would rethink the bungie on a jack stand idea.. but good use of the space.. there is a lot actually.

 

[montegofd3s]

I usually store a quart of motor oil and some gear oil under the hood when on longer road trips. Its just easier than worrying about anything spilling inside the cabin. Pro tip...use quart containers with a little fluid already removed when traveling to higher elevation areas. Full/new one will start to leak due to pressure change, and most probably give you a quick scare before realizing what is actually leaking.

Also, we are going to tackle that radiator soon, right?

 

[highfructose]

Are you doing it because you have absolutely no space elsewhere? Or because you don’t like the idea of unused space?

Not sure I like having something heavy and pointy like a jackstand held by a bungee under the hood. If I were to do it, I probably strap/bolt a metal ammo can inside.

Good point. I have some extra cam buckle straps...I’m going to cam buckle it in.

and yes, in my mind unused space seems like a void that needs habitable order brought onto it-I wouldn’t load unnecessary items into said space...but people die from cars falling on them so a Jack stand seems like a good piece of equipment to have for myself or others. I’ve worked on a fair amount of cars in random locations.

 

[highfructose]

I usually store a quart of motor oil and some gear oil under the hood when on longer road trips. Its just easier than worrying about anything spilling inside the cabin. Pro tip...use quart containers with a little fluid already removed when traveling to higher elevation areas. Full/new one will start to leak due to pressure change, and most probably give you a quick scare before realizing what is actually leaking.

Also, we are going to tackle that radiator soon, right?

I’m going to stick my spare oil there too. Good idea.

the radiator is actually still intact...it never blew.

It had the stress mark so I bought the radiator repair kit in the event that it blew some place I couldn’t reasonably complete the entire radiator repair job (id do the alternator, hoses, fan bracket, and various other things at the same time since I’d be in there anyway)...

but then I started thinking it made more sense to proactively and preemptively “strengthen” the weak point in the radiator BEFORE it blew. So I did that and purchased another radiator repair kit in case it blows at some other location.

my reasoning on this is that the radiator, and the related parts I would replace if it blew, SHOULD last somewhere north of 200,000 miles. My car has just over 80...so if this repair kit (which is substantial) extends the life of my radiator to north of 200 that it should go to, then that would be an amazing return on investment. And if it doesn’t..and the radiator blows out some place else...then I’m only out $12 for the radiator repair kit.

 

[highfructose]

I'm trying to think of a scenario where you might need to carry a jack stand. That thing will turn to a blob of rust and abrade it's way through your inner fender before you'll ever need it on the road.

The scenario that comes to mind is tire changes. Nowadays, while I don’t often change MY tires...I do get calls from friends who do not know how. And when I change their tire for them (and teach them) I show them the trick about putting the tire under the car to act as an ad hoc Jack stand...but I also put my actual Jack stand under the car too because I think using an actual jack stand is safer and smarter than using the tire.

I also do road trips to various cabins and campsites. At those locations I have, at times, had to work on my vehicles or other people’s vehicles. And anytime I’m messing around under a vehicle, I like to have a Jack stand.

obviously, as I’ve gotten older and more financially established, my vehicles and my friends vehicles have gotten more reliable/less prone to break down...all the same, old habits die hard. And any time I think “wow I wish I had (insert various tool or piece of equipment),” I do some calculus on whether it’s reasonable to add said item to my “kit.”

I currently have a Jack stand in each vehicle in the family.

 

[highfructose]

I've always thought to build some custom enclosure to store a few things underhood. Basic hand tools and maybe some air hose accessories. Particularly the space where you have the jackstand is pretty spacious once the power steering reservoir is moved over. Never got around to it and now the space is consumed by some other mods. The 200-series doesn't exactly have a ton of storage cubies inside so any bit helps.

Is the power steering reservoir and easily relocated item?

edit: once I hit reply, I realized you had already linked the answer to my question. Cheers.

 

[bloc]

If you want the easy access while maintaining the airflow control and security and abrasion resistance (the push pins), you can cut the plastic shields behind the core support and only reinstall the forward portions.

 

[KLF]

The scenario that comes to mind is tire changes. Nowadays, while I don’t often change MY tires...I do get calls from friends who do not know how.

Sounds to me like you just need to get better friends.

 

[highfructose]

I’m going to stick my spare oil there too. Good idea.

the radiator is actually still intact...it never blew.

It had the stress mark so I bought the radiator repair kit in the event that it blew some place I couldn’t reasonably complete the entire radiator repair job (id do the alternator, hoses, fan bracket, and various other things at the same time since I’d be in there anyway)...

but then I started thinking it made more sense to proactively and preemptively “strengthen” the weak point in the radiator BEFORE it blew. So I did that and purchased another radiator repair kit in case it blows at some other location.

my reasoning on this is that the radiator, and the related parts I would replace if it blew, SHOULD last somewhere north of 200,000 miles. My car has just over 80...so if this repair kit (which is substantial) extends the life of my radiator to north of 200 that it should go to, then that would be an amazing return on investment. And if it doesn’t..and the radiator blows out some place else...then I’m only out $12 for the radiator repair kit.

Pre emptive jb weld Radiator repair lasted something like 20k miles (don’t remember when on the 80k range I put it in) and maybe 4 years…the white witness mark was present so I used the jb weld patch so that if it blew maybe the radiator patch would hold it in…or perhaps the patch would strengthen the radiator enough to keep it from blowing.

After a couple hour road road trip yesterday, I got home and checked coolant to find that I’d lost 8-12 oz of coolant (radiator still full, little low expansion tank) and pink coolant around my patch.

I don’t know how the cracks in the radiator usually give out, but it appears perhaps my patch job made this a “not catastrophic” event. I actually periodically checked my temp gauge yesterday and it was always fine.

 

[gasman4u]

Time to take advantage of the parts sale currently going on.

 

[highfructose]

Who is having a parts sale?

 

[scottm]

I usually store a quart of motor oil and some gear oil under the hood when on longer road trips. Its just easier than worrying about anything spilling inside the cabin. Pro tip...use quart containers with a little fluid already removed when traveling to higher elevation areas. Full/new one will start to leak due to pressure change, and most probably give you a quick scare before realizing what is actually leaking.

Air expands, oil does not. More air in your bottles, means more expansion with heat or altitude changes. Opening the lid slightly and squeezing out any air, will prevent any expansion.