Originally submitted as an article by 67Elcamino:
I own a 67 elcamino, and right behind the cab is a compartment that is under the bed floor. There is like 16 bolts holding the metal down and when you undo them the sheet metal comes up. I was just wondering what it was for if anyreason.Thanks

67;

It's called a "smuggler's box" for obvious reasons. I believe it was intended as a storage area... :cool:

On the station Wagons it was called a back floorboard. For the Elky it is esentially useless space from GM's standpoint.

I alwayts thought that it would be kind of neat to put on a Piano Hinge and line or otherwise fix that up for some type of equipment or storage. I have seen Elkys that have their Batttery there and one or two that have Nitrous Bottles there, air lift equipment etc...

The replacement Bed Panels completely cover that area up.

8O 8O Y'know, it never occurred to me, but that is what it is, isn't it? The backseat floorboard for the wagon version of the chassis, leveled out to be even with the rest of the bed with a cover plate. It's obvious when I think of it that way.

I had always wondered why they did it, but now it makes sense from a production tooling standpoint. Now all is clear.

I too always thought it would be neat to fit it with hinges and latches to make a storage area, but sealing it against leaks would be a real bear...

I use it as a place for my amp and sub to sit, people are always amazed when they see theres room there lol

8O 8O Y'know, it never occurred to me, but that is what it is, isn't it? The backseat floorboard for the wagon version of the chassis, leveled out to be even with the rest of the bed with a cover plate. It's obvious when I think of it that way.

I had always wondered why they did it, but now it makes sense from a production tooling standpoint. Now all is clear.

I too always thought it would be neat to fit it with hinges and latches to make a storage area, but sealing it against leaks would be a real bear...

A flat rubber seal in the bottom surface, or top, would fix the issues with leaks. For regular re-seal GM used body and seam sealer. This is pretty good for possibly up to about 7 years maybe less.

I've looked and can't find a replacement source for that cover. The Bed Floors that are sold aftermarket don't have that. They are solid front to back. In 79, as most of us know, they opened that up to the back of the cab. Because they were not using the Wagon then (my guess) so some one at GM decided to use it as functional storage area. Good Idea.

NOS bottles, Stereo Equipment and Speakers all can be fashoned to work and look nice there on the 5th Gens. You loose the Spare Tire space. acauth1 used it for a 2nd AC unit and Speakers.

Hey guys,

I just joined this site and found some useful info already. Guess I'll be coming back. :-P

I found a replacement source for the access panel the other day for about $100. If anyone wants the URL I'll look it up.

Regards.
lcamino