Rear cargo area lid/area...hmmm...

[Nightpath]

I've been debating removing the lid/metal "box" in the rear cargo area that covers the rear tire. Since I don't have a rear tire in the rear of the car as a spare I don't think that this hidey area is needed.

Has anyone done this, or has a reason to keep the "box" installed? I'd rather remove it, install a piece of painted/carpeted plywood to cover the tire hole, then have that 10" depth not being used and hiding damp spots.

[eaglefreek]

I removed it on my big Eagle to make room for the 35" spare. It leaves a uneven surface though. On my 86, I made a speaker box that holds a shallow 10" woofer and it replaces the spare tire door. It's got a hinge so i can lift it and store some stuff in the spare tire indentation.

[Nightpath]

Some form of trim would have to be made to hide the sides where the current plastic trim doesnt fit.

[carnuck]

Lift the panel up to just below the hatch glass for hidden from peeking eyes storage.

[captspillane]

I fill the space full of tools and leave the spare on top with a spare tire rug from an SX4. My aluminum racing jack fits in the spare tire space nicely. I also sleep in the back while camping, and that is quite comfortable when the rear seat folds down to form a flat deck. Remove that piece of metal and you won't have that. In fact I've seen someone else modify the deck from a wagon for use in an SX4 before and I would like to do the same thing. Its pretty nice to have the full length flat space and a hidden stash of tools.