smugglers box

[demonchild135]

what is the smugglers box and what years did it come in, i keep hearing things about it...

[mattnificent]

idk what years it came in but i know it was in 5th gens...it is a compartment behind the seats that goes up under the bed....the 5th gen used it for spare tire on one side and general storage on the other

[80elcamino]

Every year, except the 1st gens possibly, had the rear storage that goes under the bed of the cruck.

[Shorty]

My 71 has it along with a removable access panel in the bed...

[Iceberg76]

Then smugglers box is inside the bed under a bolted down cover (ended w/ 4th gen). It was the footwell on the stationwagon chassis (not used on the 5th gen El Camino). The driver's side has a plastic compartment that is accessable from inside the cab. The other side is not used since the spare tire is located behind the passenger side seat. If you unbolt the cover inside the bed your could stash (smuggle) stuff in the empty compartment (passenger side rear footwell). I was going to install an extra plastic well on the passengers side but decided to keep the spare tire instead since she is my daily driver. Hope this helps - Happy Holidays!

[80elcamino]

I hope r-59 or another 1st gen owner will speak up. Did the 1st gen elkies have a smugg's box?

[yodler]

i have a 64 and i know there is a panel in the bed that is removable. not sure if it is accessible from the cab tho. guess i have to get out the wrench. i was thinking about putting hinges on the bed panel and using it as a hideaway trunk with some sort of locking latch. anyone ever do that?

[66_elky]

my 1966 el camino has one but its more of a smugglers hole now :S

[77SS]

I thought I would add onto this post rather than starting a new one...

I just wanted to tell you guys that I picked up a replacement glovebox door and hinge on eBay (77 to match mine). My plan is to fabricate a cover that bolts to the mounting flange of my smuggler's box tub, and mount the glove box door and latch to it.

The idea is to have a door to the compartment, that looks "stock" (since it is actually a 77 interior door). Two problems initially:

1. The door opening will be small. This will prevent me from putting in large objects.
2. I don't have a key for the new door. Does anyone know how to re-key the latch to match my existing glovebox and door locks?

[dennis68]

Originally Posted by yodler

i have a 64 and i know there is a panel in the bed that is removable. not sure if it is accessible from the cab tho. guess i have to get out the wrench. i was thinking about putting hinges on the bed panel and using it as a hideaway trunk with some sort of locking latch. anyone ever do that?

Yeah, "somebody" has done it. I'm not the only one, there are a few running around.

[77SS]

Dennis68, doesn't it leak?

[dennis68]

Sure it leaks. I'm not done yet. I am going to weld up the opening to the cab and run weatherstrip around the perimter of the lid and Dzus fsteners to hold it down. Black indoor/outdoor lining inside just in case I still get some leakage.

[Snaggle To0th]

Hey dennis my friend wiht a 71 GMC Sprint is doing the same thing to his, relocating the battery back there, it seems like a good idea too! thought i'd brag about his 71 lol