Wow, had no idea there was that much space under there. Love the idea, just not sure I want to be with out my spare.

Just a quick question. Why didn't you leave the battery down low, (better to keep weight positioned low in vehicle; ie lower C.G.)build a custom box for it, and utilize the additional compartment space down below? You could have a smaller sub-compartment below your newly made compartment and now have more room without dealing with the battery. Not criticizing. Just curious. Good work brother.

I've done similar things with fiberglass on other cars I've had. Built a custom cold air intake box for my 325i e36 once with fiber glass, utilizing as much space as possible. I later insulated it and hand laid carbon fiber over it for aesthetics. Looked tits and worked awesome. I may build one for the wife's X3.

[QUOTE=Green Dragon;921866]Wow, had no idea there was that much space under there. Love the idea, just not sure I want to be with out my spare.

Just a quick question. Why didn't you leave the battery down low, (better to keep weight positioned low in vehicle; ie lower C.G.)build a custom box for it, and utilize the additional compartment space down below? QUOTE]

My guess is Gofast is going to cut away that lower comparment and use the space from the underside for large, low restiction, dual mufflers. The rivited plate will become the bottom of the car. Assuming I guessed right on this, I would have welded the plate in instead of riviting, and perhaps put some ribs in the patch plate for added strength; just to put back whatever structure you later remove.

[QUOTE=Skyline;921872]Correct, he's planning/working out a custom center exit exhaust system...I remember a previous post of his that he stated removing the battery box for additional room. I concur with your idea about adding some ribs though....unless that plate at least 1/4" or thicker, Im not sure the "giant tub" is all that useful if it can't adequately support a decent amount of weight.

GOFAST, couple questions....are you not planning to use any sort of battery tie down? Did you use any kind of sealant for the floor plate...or you not overly concerned about water getting in??
Looks like you have quite the transformation going on....definitely looking forward to watching the progress!

[QUOTE=X5SND;921899]Or more importantly exhaust fumes

Now that I actually have everything in place, I'll fab something up to strap the battery down more secure. I can also notice the fiberglass box and run a black strap across the battery also.
As for the spare tire, I have a compressor and a patch kit stowed away just in case and I'll be lucky if I put 5,000kms on it this year.

As for the exhaust system, it's going to be interesting once I get the material. I'm making it out of 3/16" aluminum and it will have a single, very large oval exhaust tip that will take up pretty much the whole trailer hitch outlet. And then either I'll just get the inserts for the other holes or mesh them from the inside. I haven't quite decided yet.

The plate I rivited down was 3/16" and I ran a beed of eurathane calking around the hole prior to installing it. The air rivit gun I used was a heavy duty one, the same used in building aluminum van bodies. And the fiberglass tub floor is 5 heavy layers thick and hard as rock.

Can't wait to see photos

Guess I'm alone but it looks like a bad jury rigg.

Well you can't please them all but I'm hardly trying to please anyone except myself by adding to the functionality of my 10yr old winter vehicle. Thanks for you input though. :)