False Trunk where spare used to be on trucks with rear-mounted spare

[3rd3rdGen]

I had this idea when I had my very first 3rd gen ages ago, and now I'm debating actually doing it. The idea is to make a false trunk, a la the Honda Ridegline in the location of the stock spare tire. You would cut out the floorboard in the rear cargo area, remove the stock crossmember (that the spare tire winch hangs from) and replace it with two smaller ones fore and aft, then weld in a "trunk" that hangs down below the frame rails a few inches, to roughly the height of the bottom of the rear bumper. Of course it would need to have a skid plate as well. Then you would cut a piece of masonite, thin ply or metal to make a false floor under the rear cargo liner. Would be a great (and secure) use of wasted space and the perfect place to carry recovery gear and stuff like extra fluids, tools, etc. Have also thought about putting a stainless water tank in that location.

Here is my old truck, by the way: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYMjqIonK8M/?hl=en&taken-by=like_the_wheel

 

[gamefreakgc]

I wish I could find it but there's photos of someone doing this before. If I remember correctly because of the fuel tank and other parts that cannot be moved easily it ended up being much smaller than originally planned.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

False trunk? Wouldn't it be a true trunk under a false floor?
Pretty great idea for guys with spares too big to fit underneath [emoji1360] As long as you don't move your fuel tank back there [emoji23]

 

[Team_Jake]

Love the idea! It'd be awesome if someone has done this already.

 

[snow junky]

I have thought about doing something like this, just under the driver side rear seat like what’s on the passenger side. There is a bit of room due to 2in body lift.


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[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I have thought of this too, both above the fuel tank under the seat, and where the spare would be if I had an underslung.

One of my criticisms is that we don't have enough closed storage space.. so any pics of previously done work would be great!