64 Chevy Impala Trunk Makeover - Tech

Way back in the August '01 issue of Lowrider Magazine, we showed you a basic hydraulics setup which had the best of two worlds, performance and show. The '64 Chevy Impala trunk setup was done at Homies Hydraulics in Paramount, California, where they installed a chromed-out two-pump setup controlled by three polished Adex square dumps. The setup was strategically mounted on the side next to the 31-series batteries that powered the system. Setting up the pumps this way allowed maximum room for the next step of the trunk makeover--the sound system.

For that we visited Mauricio at Azteka Custom Cars in South Gate, California. The pro installer made a few suggestions regarding the installation of a high-quality sound system. After looking through a Sony catalog, Mauricio picked out two 10-inch woofers and four pairs of 61/2-inch separate midrange speakers, with power provided by three 800-watt Xplod amplifiers. For a head unit, Mauricio picked an in-dash Sony 52x4 MD/CD unit to control a 10-disc changer. Through the head unit, the driver is able to access the portable CD/DVD player which operates two RGB monitors.

Once all of the product was in hand, Mauricio got busy with the time-consuming project. The result was a show-quality sound system. Now let us show you how the ace installers at Azteka Custom Cars completed Part Two of our Trunk Makeover.

1. The previously juiced trunk of this '64 Impala was ready for the second half of the project.
1. The previously juiced trunk of this '64 Impala was ready for the second half of the pro
2. Mauricio started off by setting down a baseboard, which was drilled out to allow the silicone to grab onto the metal floors.
2. Mauricio started off by setting down a baseboard, which was drilled out to allow the si
The panel was then "drowned" with silicone to hold the board in place.

4. As you can see, the platform performs multiple purposes, one of which is to hold the secondary battery in place. This secondary battery is used only to power the sound system.
4. As you can see, the platform performs multiple purposes, one of which is to hold the se
5. The ribs on the floor boards were built up to make them smooth.
6. Once the floors were smooth, it was covered with foam and then a layer of material matching the interior of the car.
6. Once the floors were smooth, it was covered with foam and then a layer of material matc

7. Mauricio then cut out the back panel and set it in place.
8. The center section of the panel was marked, leaving it ready to be cut out.
9. The cut-out section allows the speaker to be seen when the trunk lid is opened. It also allows the neon to be seen when the sound system is playing.
9. The cut-out section allows the speaker to be seen when the trunk lid is opened. It also

10. The back panel also received 61/2-inch Sony Xplod midrange speakers, perfect for when watching the rear video monitor.
10. The back panel also received 61/2-inch Sony Xplod midrange speakers, perfect for when
11. Next on the agenda was to make a custom package tray using 1/2-inch particle base board.
11. Next on the agenda was to make a custom package tray using 1/2-inch particle base boar
12. The package tray was cut out to allow the speakers to sound their best. The center cut-out works as a port for the two 10-inch Sony subwoofers.
12. The package tray was cut out to allow the speakers to sound their best. The center cut

13. You can see, the midrange speaker will be exposed on the package tray.
14. The rear package tray also received a touch of neon provided by Serg-Neon.
15. This package tray was wired up, set in place and ready to rock.

16. Next was the installation of an amplifier rack which was placed in the center of the trunk compartment.
16. Next was the installation of an amplifier rack which was placed in the center of the t
17. In order to make everything smooth, the amp rack was coated with a layer of body filler.
17. In order to make everything smooth, the amp rack was coated with a layer of body fille
18. Since the amps are all going on the same rack, an electric fan was bolted on to keep cool air flowing and keep the amps from cutting off.
18. Since the amps are all going on the same rack, an electric fan was bolted on to keep c

19. The amp rack is going to be able to hold the three Sony amps, as well as tuning equipment.
19. The amp rack is going to be able to hold the three Sony amps, as well as tuning equipm
20. The hardest part of all was to figure out where all of the wires were going.
21. The amp rack is also wrapped in interior-matching material.

22. For proper power, a set of MA Audio stiffening caps were used to ensure a proper flow of current to each 800-watt Sony amplifier.
22. For proper power, a set of MA Audio stiffening caps were used to ensure a proper flow
23. Next on Mauricio's list is to make the side panels that will be covering the batteries.
23. Next on Mauricio's list is to make the side panels that will be covering the batteries
24. The battery panels were set in place and then made smooth with a few coats of automotive body filler.
24. The battery panels were set in place and then made smooth with a few coats of automoti

25. The filler will help the material flow smoother as it gets rid of the hard edges.
26. The filler was sanded smooth and ready to be wrapped in material.
27. These panels also received a touch of neon.

28. The small center console starts off with this pair of support boards. The DVD player was placed to see how wide the console needs to be.
28. The small center console starts off with this pair of support boards. The DVD player w
29. The console will also hold a Sony monitor.
30. The panel was set in place and prepped for the next stage.

31. As with every piece that Mauricio makes, this unit was smoothed out with body filler.
32. Mauricio showed us how the DVD player will sit in the unfinished console.
33. The console was smoothed and ready to be wrapped in vinyl material.

34. The console was ready to be put back into the car.
35. The finished interior portion of the makeover looks and sounds great.
36. The trunk makeover was complete and ready to show.

SOURCE
Azteka Custom Cars 4433 E. Firestone Blvd. South Gate CA 90280	MA Audio 17621 S. Susana Road Rancho Dominguez CA 90221
Sony Electronics Inc. Sony Drive Park Ridge NJ 07656 www.sony.com/xplod	Serg-Neon 136 Octava Ave., #12 Industry CA 91748