Flip-Flop Trunk
mysatilac
04-12-2005, 12:18 PM
Hey, a little clarification on the Flip-Flop Trunk Mod on a 97 SL1 or similarly hinged car
i haven't done it myself but i'm told its not too hard. some cars you have to put another hinge in but not our saturns. there should be two bolts connecting the lid to the hinge. i believe you just take out the bolt facing the front on both sides and then cut away whatever metal you need to. and if you need a regular trunk, just put the bolt back in.
What metal needs to be cut away? All of the bottom of the hinge structure connected to the trunk lid, so that the hinge bar will pivot around the rear bolt?
Makes sense, thought I'd repost before trying it...
Seems like it would still pivot while fully open, making it wobbly...
i haven't done it myself but i'm told its not too hard. some cars you have to put another hinge in but not our saturns. there should be two bolts connecting the lid to the hinge. i believe you just take out the bolt facing the front on both sides and then cut away whatever metal you need to. and if you need a regular trunk, just put the bolt back in.
What metal needs to be cut away? All of the bottom of the hinge structure connected to the trunk lid, so that the hinge bar will pivot around the rear bolt?
Makes sense, thought I'd repost before trying it...
Seems like it would still pivot while fully open, making it wobbly...
phattyc75
04-12-2005, 12:26 PM
I would need to see it to give any advice, but I would love to see pics after you are done... sounds cool
mysatilac
04-12-2005, 04:47 PM
Alot of people have done it, I'm now in the process,(Darn, battery powered dremel, shoulda got a plug in one)
Here is one example
"Here is a picture of my trunk after I "flipped" it. I simply sawed out the
metal that covered the brackets, removed the bottom screw, and loosened the top screw. now it swivels when it opens...woooopee!"
Red 2000 SC w/ Flip-Flop Trunk (http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/380138/2)
Found another
Blue '93 SL1 (http://www.outerringperformance.com/nathan94sl1.html)
Here is one example
"Here is a picture of my trunk after I "flipped" it. I simply sawed out the
metal that covered the brackets, removed the bottom screw, and loosened the top screw. now it swivels when it opens...woooopee!"
Red 2000 SC w/ Flip-Flop Trunk (http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/380138/2)
Found another
Blue '93 SL1 (http://www.outerringperformance.com/nathan94sl1.html)
mysatilac
04-13-2005, 01:15 PM
I have finished the Flip-Flop Trunk Mod...
Heres 2 pics
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/278444Image_775_.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/278444Image_776_-med.JPG
It is completely reversable, all I have to do switch it back is replace the removed bolts and tighten the top two back down.
But before everyone does this mod you should know that right now my trunk doesn't appear waterproof when closed, so I'm working on some pins to replace the bolts for normal use... or I'm going to cut the bolts down to just a few threads so they're easy to remove
Heres 2 pics
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/278444Image_775_.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/278444Image_776_-med.JPG
It is completely reversable, all I have to do switch it back is replace the removed bolts and tighten the top two back down.
But before everyone does this mod you should know that right now my trunk doesn't appear waterproof when closed, so I'm working on some pins to replace the bolts for normal use... or I'm going to cut the bolts down to just a few threads so they're easy to remove
mysatilac
04-13-2005, 01:35 PM
Also in those pics you can see where my avatar (pic at left) came from.
And my tail lights no longer have the annoying tan line (seperating the orange and red, and surrounding the reverse light)
And as a correction, its not "completely" reversable, because I will still have the pieces on the trunk which cover the arms cut out...(see post below)
And my tail lights no longer have the annoying tan line (seperating the orange and red, and surrounding the reverse light)
And as a correction, its not "completely" reversable, because I will still have the pieces on the trunk which cover the arms cut out...(see post below)
phattyc75
04-13-2005, 03:54 PM
Looks really good Mysat...too bad about the watertight thing tho...would be nice if it was completely usable.
mysatilac
04-13-2005, 07:13 PM
Thanks, and yeah it is too bad.
But I've found that its not too hard to line it back up and put the bolts back in with a ratchet, I'm going to look for some back up bolts and strip most of the threads so I only have to screw it in a tiny bit.
That way I can remove them and show off easily...
Took less than an hour (w/o dremel battery recharge times), it was free (minus cutting disks), looks cool and unique.
I'm Happy, :)
But I've found that its not too hard to line it back up and put the bolts back in with a ratchet, I'm going to look for some back up bolts and strip most of the threads so I only have to screw it in a tiny bit.
That way I can remove them and show off easily...
Took less than an hour (w/o dremel battery recharge times), it was free (minus cutting disks), looks cool and unique.
I'm Happy, :)
mysatilac
04-13-2005, 07:29 PM
Masking tape off the area, and mark where you will make your cuts.
Use a Dremel and cut the metal shown below in the pic, I used about 5 heavy duty cut off disks (the brown kind (#420) that are supposed to wear down) *don't cut quite as high as I did, go to about the center of the bolt to keep the trunk sitting level (you can always take off more, putting it back on is much harder)* Depending on your cuts you may need to slightly bend the metal back away from the arms (easily done and reversed)
Remove the tape, and clean the bare metal then spray with clear spray paint, or paint of your choice to prevent rusting (the cuts are not visible while the trunk is in the open position as shown four posts above)
Repeat on second side
Remove the bottom bolts and loosen the top bolts, (optional: add a washer to the top bolt to keep from chipping paint (I did after noticing the chipping))
Check for clearance of the trunk opening cable and lisense plate light wires.
ENJOY!
BTW,
you lose no trunk clearance room, because you can tip the trunk lid back up to normal position for loading/unloading, (it pivots freely)
This mod makes the trunk harder to close if you dont re-install the bolts first, but there is a trick to it, and it can be done.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/278444Image_774_-med.jpg
Use a Dremel and cut the metal shown below in the pic, I used about 5 heavy duty cut off disks (the brown kind (#420) that are supposed to wear down) *don't cut quite as high as I did, go to about the center of the bolt to keep the trunk sitting level (you can always take off more, putting it back on is much harder)* Depending on your cuts you may need to slightly bend the metal back away from the arms (easily done and reversed)
Remove the tape, and clean the bare metal then spray with clear spray paint, or paint of your choice to prevent rusting (the cuts are not visible while the trunk is in the open position as shown four posts above)
Repeat on second side
Remove the bottom bolts and loosen the top bolts, (optional: add a washer to the top bolt to keep from chipping paint (I did after noticing the chipping))
Check for clearance of the trunk opening cable and lisense plate light wires.
ENJOY!
BTW,
you lose no trunk clearance room, because you can tip the trunk lid back up to normal position for loading/unloading, (it pivots freely)
This mod makes the trunk harder to close if you dont re-install the bolts first, but there is a trick to it, and it can be done.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/278444Image_774_-med.jpg
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