Luggage Deposit

[ibmiked]

Thanks everyone. Someone else asked me off-board about building another one. In all honesty, this cost more than I anticipated (probably about what the Appbiz version costs) and took about 40 man-hours factoring in drying times etc. Unfortunately, I'm not set up to make these other than as a one-off. I have a well equipped garage, but not for woodworking.

Without the inside trays the LD weighed about 31lbs. Figure another 3-4lbs for the trays and I'm guessing the whole thing is pushing 35lbs. I know that sounds like a lot, but last year I gutted my interior including insulation, removed the rear seats and belts, and installed Dynamat and RS carpet. My guess is that I took 20+lbs out of the car. In addition, the luggage deposit installs with only two bolts, and the wiring harness for the internal courtesy lights uses quick connects to unplug. On a trackday or just a nice sunny day 'in the twistys' I could pull the whole thing out by myself in 3 minutes flat.

What I get in return however is a secure place to stash my valuables, a great flat place for stowing grocery bags, and easy access to all of those bits and pieces that never seem to have a home. I agree with the previous poster when he says the trunk just isn't good storage for certain things. To boot, I now have a period-looking accessory that sets the car a bit apart from the rest.

Again, thank you everyone for your compliments and comments. They mean a lot coming from this group.

-Mike

[boba]

Very nice project both in concept and execution.

And it is practical. Well done.

[ibmiked]

My apologies as I am not a photographer, nor claim to have any skills in that department. Here are the last of the pictures, with the Luggage Deposit lit up as it would be at night. I chose red LED lighting to minimize any effects on night vision.

Inside the lid:



Inside under the trays:



Cheers,
-Mike

[ibmiked]

I wired the switch for the lights so that it activates at the very end of the piston's travel upwards. This way, if I want to I can open the top only partially and not have the lights come on. This is a picture of the inside of the LD while it is laying upside down. That's the blue button for activating the lights.







And last but not least, something I'm particularly proud of, 'shock absorbers' for the front door straps. No thunking open for these doors!