Did this to mine a while back! I used a linear actuator to open and it close it from the under the dash and with a key fob! Home Depot weather stripping seemed to do the trick to keep it water tight!
So I currently am working on a elco for a customer and I told him I'm relocating the battery back there cause I didn't know about this dead space till about a week ago, just learned it's called a smugglers box an hour ago, dude you're amazing I wish I had this type of fab skill I'd definitely copy your design.
I wish I seen this before that is an awesome fabrication I tried to figure out how to make mine do that but was dumb founded about it lol... Great job!!!!
I was thinking I may need to put in some drains in the corners with tubes like they do for sunroof drains. I will see what options I can come up with but it probably needs them. Thanks for watching!
I'm in the midst of building out the smuggler's box on my '72 and with any luck it will turn out as nice as yours! After watching the video it doesn't look like you provided for drainage. What's your opinion on this? If there are no drain holes and I thoroughly dry the interior of the bed after rain (or washing), am I OK?
Put in a tube approximately 3 inches in diameter from the cab to the box, be sure to camouflage the opening with something; as this will provide a good way to safely dispose of those pesky road soda cans… 😂
Probably about 35 hours total. I am only able to play with this some evenings and weekends so big projects definitely string out. Thanks so much for watching!
The Hinges and Latch are from the donor car - a 2014 Camaro. You should be able to find them online looking up GM parts. You could also find a junkyard and scavenge them cheaper I'm sure. Any articulating hinge from a trunk lid should work good. Thanks for watching!!
Great work my man! Thanks for the inspiration to do something similar on my 72 Elco.
Sounds great! glad I could help in some way, go for it my friend. Thanks for watching!
Did this to mine a while back! I used a linear actuator to open and it close it from the under the dash and with a key fob! Home Depot weather stripping seemed to do the trick to keep it water tight!
Sounds like you did even more than I did. Great job! Thanks for watching!
So I currently am working on a elco for a customer and I told him I'm relocating the battery back there cause I didn't know about this dead space till about a week ago, just learned it's called a smugglers box an hour ago, dude you're amazing I wish I had this type of fab skill I'd definitely copy your design.
So glad that I could help in some small way. Good luck on your project and thanks for watching!!
Buen trabajo señor
Graciás!
You’ve got some excellent custom ideas for the ElCo! I’ve also got a 1970, and am a TIG welder, so you’ve inspired me to do some similar things!
Sounds great my friend, glad that you can get some ideas for your project. Best of luck with it and thanks for watching!
Same but i have a 72’
Impressive creativity combining originality with useful purpose. Well done Sir!
Thank you my friend. More to come.
Awesome…thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge
Thanks so much for watching!!
I wish I seen this before that is an awesome fabrication I tried to figure out how to make mine do that but was dumb founded about it lol... Great job!!!!
Thanks so much for the support! We appreciate you! Hopefully it gives you some ideas to go for it. Thanks for watching!
OK, the washer trick is genius
Thanks much, wish I was smart enough to think of it on my own. Lol. Thanks for watching!!
that's some serious metal work going on there! very impressive! I was going to try to do a similar mod to my 70 but wow that took alot of work
I'm sure you could make it a bunch simpler too my friend. Thanks for watching!
@@letsgetdirtygarage6197 will you do any kind of drain hole to get water from being trapped next to the seal?
I was thinking I may need to put in some drains in the corners with tubes like they do for sunroof drains. I will see what options I can come up with but it probably needs them. Thanks for watching!
Genius… idea
Thanks so much! just trying to get whats in my head into metal...lol. Thanks for watching!
I'm in the midst of building out the smuggler's box on my '72 and with any luck it will turn out as nice as yours! After watching the video it doesn't look like you provided for drainage. What's your opinion on this? If there are no drain holes and I thoroughly dry the interior of the bed after rain (or washing), am I OK?
I am hoping that the seal will keep the smugglers box dry like a trunk. The only thing I might need is a drain for the flange.
@@letsgetdirtygarage6197 Got it. Thank you!
Very nice!!
Thanks so much for the support!
Put in a tube approximately 3 inches in diameter from the cab to the box, be sure to camouflage the opening with something; as this will provide a good way to safely dispose of those pesky road soda cans… 😂
I would have to make the tube bigger to fit my 2 liters of Diet Coke through... Thanks for watching!
Sounds good to stash whiskey 😁
LOL I suppose you could "smuggle" whatever you want. Thanks for watching!
That is incredible, bodywork turned to functional art. I am curious, how many hours do you have in that project? My guess is north of 80...
Probably about 35 hours total. I am only able to play with this some evenings and weekends so big projects definitely string out. Thanks so much for watching!
Could you maybe post a link to where I might find the hinges and the latch?
The Hinges and Latch are from the donor car - a 2014 Camaro. You should be able to find them online looking up GM parts. You could also find a junkyard and scavenge them cheaper I'm sure. Any articulating hinge from a trunk lid should work good. Thanks for watching!!