Dean, thanks for the pics. If you look elsewhere in the fabrication forum you'll see that I'm installing a C4 IRS in my car, so I'm not afraid to cut at this point. I was mostly concerned at how you modified your bumper cover. I may do something similar but I'm not sure yet. If I do something similar there will likely be a heat shiled plate against the bumper cover around the pipes. It is a unique look, I like it.

 

Has anyone ever cut that hump in the hatch area over top of the differential? Or know how much I could cut it before hitting the rear? My Camaro's stripped down and ready for paint for the most part, now would be perfect for custom metal work.

It'd be neat to have a flat hatch area, from the backseat area all the way back. It'd look clean, and have lots of room for groceries!

 

the gas tank is in there too, there is no room to drop the floor.

 

dude, i was just thinking about that. because my car is stripped also and im doing body work

and a lowered hatch area would be the coolest

 

nvm. =[ haha

 

Yep......

 

Shucks. Well, first off, is the gas tank over top of the differential? If so, I think it'd work with a fuel cell that's relocated to the very back of the hatch area. Fuel safe makes custom fuel sells, I reckon I could get very close to having a completely flat backseat-hatch area, with a very low, wide fuel cell of course.

I really want to do this for some reason. I could lay in the back of my Camaro and watch TV inside the garage.

 

Yep, tank over the axle......You COULD relocate the tank rearward & drop the floor....But if you were weer rearended, the tank could get squished open. 1 spark and.......

 

What if you cut the tank size in half? How many gallons left?

 

I know in fox's you can fold the back seat down and the entire rear area is flat, so I would assume the gas tank is behind the rear end on those? The spare tire is also in that area on those cars, so I'm not sure where the gas tank fits in, but I'm sure it could be done.

 

About 7 1/4 gallons....

 

This is kind of neat that it would work. I'd only have to cut that hump down maybe 6-8 inches, considering I could fill in the back seats, or just bolt them back in, and keep the back rest folded down! I'm not sure what I would do about the fuel tank. Possibly just re-use the part of that hump in the hatch area, bolt it right over top of a fuel cell, so I'd still have access to it, incase of any leak, any reason.

I might try this next year, after my Camaro is painted, and all that good stuff. I kind of favor the look of these back seat deletes, plus it offers storage. I wonder if there's any specifically for Third Gens.

 

If our tanks were about half as tall, yet reached the rear, the "hump" floor could be lowered a good 5". Or possibly moved rearwards, but you'd hafta cut out/raise the floor of that flat tire well.

Stock, our tanks are about waist high, in relation to the rear passengers body line.

I have NO CLUE about Mustangs, other than they are V8, 5.0 & RWD.

 

Do you have any measurements from the top of that hump to the differential, or the dimensions of the fuel tank? This is starting to be a very neat/original idea.

 

Sorry, no. No dimensions other than that.

Because of the fuel lines coming out & out, that is the only reason that much room i there...To clear those lines.

 

Because the 3rd & 4th gen seats are a 100% direct swap, I see no reason the 4th ones ones wouldn't bolt right into our cars too.

But considering their price, I'd make my own for WAY, WAY cheaper. And honestly? Fit better because (IMHO).......Instead of 2 pieces, I'd make it a couple of inches taller, then just 1 wide flat panel, on top of the tunnel in the middle.

 

I was thinking one flat piece would be better, also. Maybe this will be a neat build thread for me next year. I've never worked around custom interiors though, might be a bit of a challenge.

 

Well, for anyone that was wondering.

Fuel Tank Dimensions: 33 X 23-3/8 X 11-3/8 inches.

This brings me great joy to know that it's possible. Tomorrow, well later today, I'll have to go out and measure the space between the tunnel over top of the driveshaft, and the roof. Just to know how much space there will be.

On the other hand, maybe I'm a nutcase, and this is a stupid idea. Sure is unique though, never seen another person do it.

 

That thing is awesome!

 

On the "hump" delete ideas - If it helps in any way...

1) I have the 4th gen seats both front and rear - my rear 4th gen seat is a 1piece back.
2) When I lay my 4th gen rear seat down, my rear area is almost completely flat from the front seats to the end of the hump

Then my other thoughts...
1) I hate carrying passengers at all - F-bodies were not designed for riders - no leg room - I really hate it when the kids "need a ride" LOL.
2) As it is (stock), when I lay my rear seat down, I have just enough room in the back for my 50qt cooler, my canopy and chairs, and 4 days of luggage for me and the wife, so that we can go to the GM Nationals in Carlisle PA and participate in the American Camaro Association show - that's all I ever want to want to "haul".
3) Groceries - what's that? Sounds like a perfectly good waste of mod/parts money to me!

 

Might also consider how it's going to change things structurally. It might not take a side impact as well if the shape of the metal is changed too much. I've thought about how annoying it is as well sometimes. Also need to consider the changes to the interior plastics and carpet.

 

I dont think the carpet would be much of an issue, because the carpet splits into 2 different pieces before the hump, so all you would have to do is buy some automotive carpet and cut to fit.

 

That would be nearly imposable. You have spring perches, frame rails, and a gas tank right under that "hump" so that look you want forget about it inless you plan to back half and run new frame rails and a 4 link.

 

mustangs hang their gas tanks below the bumper. you can see them if you drive behind one (almost never happens for me lol)
it actually really bugs me that ford didnt even TRY to cover the gas tank with anything on the lower model mustangs than the gt. sooooo ugly IMO

 

Nah
There is lots of structure and supports up in there that don't need to be cut out.

 

Here's a pic of my front end mod. I also did a true dual exhaust. Working on resizing pics to put more up.

 

Groceries was just a joke.

I'm really just going for a clean look, such as the fox body Mustangs had.

 

I don't think you understand my idea fully. So you're saying I'd have to run new frame rails and a 4 link suspension just to relocate my gas tank?

All my idea is, is to go for a flat clean look. That would be even with the backseat back rest when folded down. I guess I'll post the picture of the Fox Body's. hatch area again.

 

I wonder if you could trim back the first few inches of the hood? To line up with the headlights & not have that overhang, to reduce catching air.

 

The upper spring perches are right under the hump, and the shock mounts are right behind the back seat, so yes, you would have to relocate those to lower the hump, but, I don't see any reason you couldn't keep the torque arm suspension.

 

I'll be using hood pins, but first I need a hood to compliment it.

 

yes i do i know what your talking about, not going to work the way you want with out changing your suspension, relocating the frame rails and gas tank. or else you could just relocate the gas tank. but still you wont have it the way you hope for. i think its dumb unless you where planing on tubing it it makes no sense what so ever.

 

i started on my new dashpad. i was tired of having the same cracked dashpad as most 3rd gen cars. still not finished, but fitment is perfect

 

very nice, dont forget to post the final product

 

I did not ask if you think it's dumb, if that's your opinion, tell it to someone who cares. I think it's dumb, and it makes no sense that you can barely form a sentence, but I don't complain. Why? It's obviously your style, and to your likings. I don't like my Camaro's hatch area looking like the back of a camel, with that hump.

I'm only talking about relocating the gas tank, the middle area, not even touching the wheel wells. Possibly just using a fuel cell, to take about 11 inches out of that "hump".

 

The sad thing is, they look hidious the 2 most commen ways they are seen, The LX mustang looks like someone is trying to give it a wedgie, and the GT looks like someone yanked its pants down.

if you've ever seen one with the cobra rear bumper though, that looks pretty good.

 

I know you didn't ask but i think its dumb hell it's plane retarded, other then this look you want what are you going to achieve by doing something like this you still have to relocate your gas tank, if you really want to hack up your car to relocate a gas tank for a aesthetic look, Well then go do it . . . we are waiting . . . i think its dumb and pointless

 

And some folks thing it is "pointless and dumb" to put a better stereo system in the car, than they have in the house. Cars are a very personal thing, and everyone has their own taste, and what they want from their car. His tastes, and yours, are obviously different. You have expressed your opinion, please leave it at that.

 

What will I achieve? I'll most likely pick up an aluminum fuel cell from Summit Racing if I go along with this plan, that's all around better for safety, along with weight distribution. I'm not going to argue about it, if you don't like the idea, oh well. A big hump in the back just never did appeal to me. Room for a bigger fuel cell is also useful for saving cash here and there while buying gasoline.

I could go on and on with practical reasons, along with personal preference reasons.

Then again, I only started talking about this idea because I wanted knowledgable people to chime in, and give me an idea of how possible it is. Not someone to type up a bunch of BS insults. I'm sorry you do not have any creativity/imagination, and would just leave your interior stock.

 

Stereos are different and if he where to relocate a gas tack for a stereo i can see that then. . . cutting that area out would be no gain of space what so ever and it will look like crap its called being realistic. . .
People need to start being more realistic has any other then my self seen
the work involved for the minimal to no gain effort?

Heres a cut away maybe now you can understand


heres what you earn

 

"along with weight distribution" ? explain how this is going to distribute weight better, "practical reasons" what? i never insulted you i said "it was dumb" not "you are dumb" i posted some knowledgeable pics above just for you. i have tons of creativity and imagination but im also realistic.

 

The picture with the red lines is where I was planning to cut if I actually do this, right in the middle, basically going along with the backseat back rest, straight back.

Relocating a gas tank/fuel cell further past the rear axle will have a teeter totter affect, basically the same as a wrench, leverage. Say I buy a 20 gallon fuel cell, gas is like what, 6.5 lbs. per gallon? That's 130 pounds of leverage working for me, with a full tank of gas.

130 pounds may not seem like a lot, but every 100 pounds of weight on the average car will increase or decrease mileage by 2%, depending if you add or subtract that weight, obviously. It has a pretty big affect, I'm sure you understand how it works out, no need to go into an elementary lesson.

Either way, I was thinking about getting into some road racing in the next few years, it'd be a plus for me. Just another practical reason, combined with the safety.

 

I forgot to add, when you insult a guy's idea, it's insulting him.

Especially when it's a pretty cool idea, IMHO. It may not be too realistic, but it can be made practical.

EDIT: I keep on forgetting small details, it's 4:53 A.M. I forgot to go to sleep, memory's a little out of it. As for the practical ideas, I guess I'll start typing.

Instead of pulling out a truck and getting >10 MPG's doing city driving, to go to the hardware store, my Camaro would be able to haul decent sized sheets of plywood, with the hatch closed, that would majorly save on gas. The practicality of this idea really revolves around gasoline. I could get anywhere from a 20-30 gallon fuel cell, travel to get gas where it may be up to $.20 cheaper per gallon, and have it last. That would save hundreds throughout the course of a year. I'd also have a far greater range, with room to upgrade from the 14 gallon gas tank, just another practical reason. I believe I've already mentioned the savings in fuel though.

Then there's the original/cool factor of my idea. I could do just about whatever I wanted. Throw a blanket in the back and go camping in a car, haul kegs to parties, and basically be the center of attention. On top of that, it would just look awesome to have a nice sleek, clean look in the back. I can imagine most people at car shows would really dig the look. I could also even rig up my home theatre system in the back, since I took out the stereo and all 4 speakers, for a nice 10+ pound weight savings. Removable music equiptment is a plus.

I'll most likely think of many more ideas that are in the practical/cool area.

 

i did the same exact front on my other 89 years ago, but my grill covered the headlights also. i wish i had pics. looks good

 

im also in the works of making my own front and rear bumpers. i will be using the stock bumpers. just modifying them. im not to familiar with fiberglass (dashpad and molded hood scoop) so it should be fun.

 

Dash looks good in 'glass! Working with 'glass is just another one of them experience things...the more you work at it the easier the job gets and the better the finished project becomes!

 

i still have a long way to go. the more i read posts from this site, the more motivated i am to finish "Project-RS" the hood is my main goal to get done because its going to be the most important piece i do (keeping the 355 tunnel ram from weather) its also hard when you have to self teach.....lol

 

yuppers!!! A project like your hood will not only teach you 'glassing techniques, it will also teach PATIENCE!!!!! IMO, one of the best assests any Hot Rodder can have!!!!

 

i have a few pics of my progress on the hood.......

hood when i first bought it (look at the cracked corners on top)


took the inner layer of fiberglass out (lift off only now)


cutout and first fiberglass atempt....lol


after the fiberglassed dryed i looked to see for gaps


my contraption to pull the cracked ends to stock locations (please be gentle on the comments....haha)

 

the last pic you can see the added cowl panel that i used for support due to the scoop weight. heres how it sits now...