Trunk Makeover

The last time that we were at Homies Hydraulics in Paramount, California, we showed you how they wrap frames. While we were there, we made an appointment to come back and see how the setups turned out. Homies honcho Anthony Fuentes told us that when building a trunk setup you need to be ready to make some decisions. The first is whether you want performance out of your hydraulics or do you want looks. The reason for this is that it's hard to have the best of both worlds and you're going to have to compromise and give something up.

Such was the case with this '64 Chevy Impala. It was originally set up to be a street hopper with no room for a decent sound system. After driving around with a small sound system, the complete hydraulics setup was pulled out to make room for a better setup. This Impala had the old setup torn out so that Homies could build something more reliable. After a couple of hours of tearing out the has-been setup, Homies was ready to redesign the trunk. Now let us show you how the pros at Homies get busy with their show-winning setups as this is the first part of the two-part section. Part two will deal with the integration of audio and hydraulics for the complete show look.

01. The previously juiced...        read full caption 01. The previously juiced trunk of this '64 Impala was ready for the second half of the project.

2. Mauricio started off by...        read full caption 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...        read full caption 2. Mauricio started off by setting down a baseboard, which was drilled out to allow the silicone to grab onto the metal floors.

4. As you can see, the platform...        read full caption 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.

5. The ribs on the floor boards...        read full caption 5. The ribs on the floor boards were built up to make them smooth.

6. Once the floors were smooth,...        read full caption 6. Once the floors were smooth, it was covered with foam and then a layer of material matching the interior of the car.

7. Mauricio then cut out the...        read full caption 7. Mauricio then cut out the back panel and set it in place.

8. The center section of the...        read full caption 8. The center section of the panel was marked, leaving it ready to be cut out.

9. The cut-out section allows...        read full caption 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.

10. The back panel also received...        read full caption 10. The back panel also received 61/2-inch Sony Xplod midrange speakers, perfect for when watching the rear video monitor.

11. Next on the agenda was...        read full caption 11. Next on the agenda was to make a custom package tray using 1/2-inch particle base board.

12. The package tray was cut...        read full caption 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.

13. You can see, the midrange...        read full caption 13. You can see, the midrange speaker will be exposed on the package tray.

14. The rear package tray...        read full caption 14. The rear package tray also received a touch of neon provided by Serg-Neon.

15. This package tray was...        read full caption 15. This package tray was wired up, set in place and ready to rock.

16. Next was the installation...        read full caption 16. Next was the installation of an amplifier rack which was placed in the center of the trunk compartment.

17. In order to make everything...        read full caption 17. In order to make everything smooth, the amp rack was coated with a layer of body filler.

18. Since the amps are all...        read full caption 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.

19. The amp rack is going...        read full caption 19. The amp rack is going to be able to hold the three Sony amps, as well as tuning equipment.

20. The hardest part of all...        read full caption 20. The hardest part of all was to figure out where all of the wires were going.

21. The amp rack is also wrapped...        read full caption 21. The amp rack is also wrapped in interior-matching material.

22. For proper power, a set...        read full caption 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.

23. Next on Mauricio's list...        read full caption 23. Next on Mauricio's list is to make the side panels that will be covering the batteries.

24. The battery panels were...        read full caption 24. The battery panels were set in place and then made smooth with a few coats of automotive body filler.

25. The filler will help the...        read full caption 25. The filler will help the material flow smoother as it gets rid of the hard edges.

26. The filler was sanded...        read full caption 26. The filler was sanded smooth and ready to be wrapped in material.

27. These panels also received...        read full caption 27. These panels also received a touch of neon.

28. The small center console...        read full caption 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.

29. The console will also...        read full caption 29. The console will also hold a Sony monitor.

30. The panel was set in place...        read full caption 30. The panel was set in place and prepped for the next stage.

31. As with every piece that...        read full caption 31. As with every piece that Mauricio makes, this unit was smoothed out with body filler.

32. Mauricio showed us how...        read full caption 32. Mauricio showed us how the DVD player will sit in the unfinished console.

33. The console was smoothed...        read full caption 33. The console was smoothed and ready to be wrapped in vinyl material.

34. The console was ready...        read full caption 34. The console was ready to be put back into the car.

35. The finished interior...        read full caption 35. The finished interior portion of the makeover looks and sounds great.

36. The trunk makeover was...        read full caption 36. The trunk makeover was complete and ready to show.