Here's the hinge prior to...
Here's the hinge prior to removal for our mini-tub install. Note the lower attachment point versus the height of the tub.
In the May 2011 issue we outlined a cheap and simple way to mini-tub just about any car out there with a little cutting and metal shaping. What we didn't have space to show you is what to do about the trunk hinges once the tubs have been moved inward and the mounting point height has changed.
Honestly, most people overthink this problem. All we really want to do is decrease the height of the hinge while maintaining the factory geometry of the hinge's motion. The only real issue is making sure it all lines up correctly. This process was on our '67 Mercury Cougar project car known as Max Effort so it pertains specifically to Cougars and Mustangs, but the same method can be used successfully on other cars as well.
Once the inner wheeltub is...
Once the inner wheeltub is out of the way, we need to cut the hinge away from the flange of metal that it is tack welded to. Take care not to damage or remove the upper flange or you'll just create much more work for yourself later as this flange determines the angle of the hinge assembly and we will be reattaching the hinge to it after modifying.
This is the flange we're referring...
This is the flange we're referring to; it's actually an integral part of the rear package tray rather than the hinge. Make sure it's oriented per factory (straight down in this case) as we'll need it for alignment.
With the new mini-tubs installed,...
With the new mini-tubs installed, it's time to handle the hinges. Using a cheap laser level picked up at a home improvement store, Filip Trojanek of CorteX Racing aligns the crosshair of the beam on the upper flange while Ryan Kertz of Kertz Fabrication traces the lines.
Here's a closer look at what...
Here's a closer look at what Kertz is tracing. The painter's tape was used to give the pencil a better surface to write on.
Next, Kertz uses a piece of...
Next, Kertz uses a piece of paper to make a template for the new height required as well as determine the arc needed for the bottom of the hinge to rest on the tub.
Using the paper template,...
Using the paper template, Kertz then cut the base of the hinge's lower section to match. Note that there are no changes to the hinge itself or the upper section.
The upper spot welds at the...
The upper spot welds at the top of the hinge were lined back up to their original location and a pair of locking pliers held everything in place while Kertz tacked the hinge into place. The hinge will now function just like factory since we only removed from the bottom and kept factory alignment at the top.