Ok guys. . This was originally posted, but this is an update of the way I did it, which doesn't involve so much drilling and seems to hold just as well. However it seems a little more ghetto, but I'm happy with it.. I don't want to begin to take credit though for the original DIY post found
here by Mohawkboom. Pictures will probably end up at the bottom..
Equipment Needed:
1) One 1/2" Threaded steel rod at least 12" long. I started out with 12" and ended up cutting off some excess at the end..
2) Two 2" x 6" x 1/4" thick steel plates. I went to Lowes and they didn't have that size so I had to get one that was 2" x 12" x 1/4" and cut it in half with a torch.
3) Four 1/2" Nuts that match the threaded rod..
4) Four 1/2" hole 1" across lockwashers.
5) A Drill
6) 5/8" Drill bit. You need one that will get through the 1/4" thick steel plates. If your drill can hold a bit that big then you're set to go.
Note: A wood drill bit will
not work on the plates ( I tried and It lasted about 20 seconds), however it will work when you drill the hole in the trunk so get at least get the wood one for the trunk. My drill is too small to even dream of holding a bit that big and I can't afford a new drill so I had to use an alternative method. Get items #7 and #8
only if your drill wont hold a 5/8" bit.
If your drill doesn't support a 5/8" bit then get the following BTW: These items. . You can pick up at Wal-Mart.
7) 1" Bore Bit . This you can get at Wal-Mart it's in the power tools aisle located next to the other bits. It's main use if for door locks and stuff, but you need it cause it'll put holes in the 1/4" steel and will fit on smaller drills.
8) Six 1/2" Hole 2" Across washers. Yes. . They are big..
Now for the fun part: Steps:
1: Remove spare tire from trunk.
2: Jack up car as high as you can get the rear. Use jackstands to hold it at that height (safety first!)
3: Find a place underneath where the spare will best fit. Once you find a good spot, mark through the center of the spare, a jack may be useful for helping you hold the tire up.
4: Get that spare tire out of the way.
5: Drill 5/8" inch hole through the bottom of the trunk where you marked. Like I said above a wood bit will work here if that's what you got..
Now. . . This is where the DIY splits. Continue on down the list if you have a pimp drill and a 5/8" bit. Scroll down a bit if your drill is a $20 Craftsman special like mine for the alternative method.
6: Drill 5/8" holes through the middle of each plate. - Recommend WD-40 to keep it lubed up and reduce friction.
7: Put one of your metal plates inside the trunk and line up the hole in the plate with the hole in the trunk.
8: Twist one of your 1/2" nuts on the end of the threaded rod (which really shouldn't be any longer than 12". If it is then cut it down cause that's too big to work with) along with a lock washer and put it through the plate and trunk floor.
You should now have about 11" of rod sticking out of the bottom of your car.
9: Climb under the car and put on a locking washer and nut and twist it all the way up.
10: Grab an assisstant to hold a wrench on the top nut while you turn the one underneath the car. Tighten the living piss out of this. You don't want it to ever come off.
You should now have a rod that is in there pretty tight.
11: Get the spare and feed the rod through the center of the spare. Again a jack may be useful to help you hold it up.
12: Put the other steel plate on.
13. Locking Washer then nut. Tighten it up. Then just to make sure it's not going anywhere. Add another lock washer and nut and tighten.
14. You can saw off any excess material hanging down.
There you go!!!
ALLRIGHT. . For those others (like me) that need the alternative method of putting holes in 1/4" steel follow the below steps starting with #6.
6: Take your 1" bore bit and put a hole through the middle of each plate - recommend WD-40 to keep it lubed up and reduce friction.
7: Put one of your metal plates inside the trunk and line up the hole in the plate with the hole in the trunk.
8: Twist one of your 1/2" nuts on the end of the threaded rod (which really shouldn't be any longer than 12". If it is then cut it down cause that's too big to work with) along with one of the 1/2" lock washers and two of your larger 2" washers and put it through the plate and trunk floor.
You should now have about 11" of rod sticking out of the bottom of your car.
9: Climb under the car and put on two larger 2" washer a 1/2" locking washer and nut and twist it all the way up.
10: Grab an assisstant to hold a wrench on the top nut while you turn the one underneath the car. Tighten the living piss out of this. You don't want it to ever come off.
You should now have a rod that is in there pretty tight.
11: Get the spare and feed the rod through the center of the spare. Again a jack may be useful to help you hold it up.
12: Put the other steel plate on.
13. Two big washers, locking washer, then nut. Tighten it up. Then just to make sure it's not going anywhere use the other locking washer and nut and tighten ..
14. You can saw off any excess material hanging down.
There you have it!!
Hope this helps .. .
PS. The threaded rod and wing nut type thing that held the tire in the trunk originally isn't needed anymore. In case you were wondering . . You can do whatever you want with them..
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