How To Swap Trunks

spazegun2213 · 07-13-2006, 06:32 AM

Remove lock from trunk
Remove the glow in the dark release handle. Once this is done you can get to the lock. Simply twist the orange thing around, and pop the metal rod. Take a screw driver (you also might need a hammer as well) and pry that black clip off. Its really tight on there so you will need to use some force (this clip is exactly like the clip securing the brake lines).
Remove latch from trunk (optional as it may not be needed)
Remove the 2 bolts, twist yellow thing around and pop out that metal rod. You will also need to pop out the cable from that glow in the dark handle.
Remove trunk
Remove the 4 12mm bolts that secure the trunk to the trunk arms. Beware that the STi trunk weighs a TON (something like 50+ lbs). You will also have to unplug the 3rd brake light and clip all the wire retainers off the sti trunk arm to get the trunk off.
Remove Tortion bars
This is the PITA step here. Now, there are 2 ends to the tortoin bar. One end that attaches to the trunk arm and the other that is locked in place. First, get a big wrench or a big screw driver (as long as its big, you will need the torque). The part that attaches to the Arm looks like a U, place that wrench in the under side of that U and pry it off the moving piece on the trunk arm. Move that piece up so it fits flush against the arm, and let that U rest agaist there. Now, you are 1/3 done. Take that same wrench and pry out the ends of the U, once this is done, it might spring a little since its torqued a good bit. Once you have done this simply pull the bar out and start on the second one!!
Install tortion bars
Just reverse the removal procedure. Place the static part of the bar in its older, and position the trunk arm side as close as possible. Lift the trunk arm up and using that wrench pry the ends of the U into their olders. Then pty down on the U and extend that moveable piece on the trunk arm so it fits onto the bar. Once you have done this, you are done and good to start ont he other bar.
Install trunk
Same 4 bolts and remember to check that the trunk fits right before you try to close it.
Install Latch
Install Lock
Remove brake light
Remove Seats
Unplug the light which is in the trunk right under the light, loosen the 2 screws that retain the light.
Take your hand, slide it under the lid and pop off the rear lid that the light sits on (there is a big whole for the light). There are no screws, just 4 (i think its just 4) tabs that hold it in place. You can get to them from inside of the trunk as well.
Install brake light
Swap the lids (they pop right back in), plug the light back in and secure the 2 screws. ALL our cars have 3rd light locations for the STi, and the other third brake light, so you dont need to do any electrical work.

now all you have to do is look at how hot your new trunk is

SoaReS · 07-13-2006, 08:28 AM

Nice writeup!

flytojungho · 07-13-2006, 11:12 AM

nice... btw, who's the dude with "got united" shirt?

bickford · 07-13-2006, 06:38 PM

nice job! Im going to need this at some point.

LightWerkz · 07-13-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flytojungho

nice... btw, who's the dude with "got united" shirt?

Thats a guy?

denver133 · 07-13-2006, 07:09 PM

THANK YOU!!!! I am swapping trunks this weekend!!!

spazegun2213 · 07-14-2006, 04:58 AM

haha, the "got united?" guy was a friend of the guy that i swaped trunks with

I decided since i have never seen a trunk swap how to that i would post one. It sucked calling my friends 10+ times to make sure that i was doing it right.

STi_4_Daddy · 07-14-2006, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESsTeAEyEe

Thats a guy?

yeah he looks to be in his teens maybe early 20's .... maybe!!!

klaymon · 07-14-2006, 05:34 AM

The only thing I would add, is to remove the step for swapping the latch. I've done a swap and it's not needed and will only cause people pain when trying to get it lined back up. Other than that, great write up.

spazegun2213 · 07-14-2006, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STi_4_Daddy

yeah he looks to be in his teens maybe early 20's .... maybe!!!

yea, they were both young... really young.

at one point he asked me my age.. and was like "oh... wow"

I felt old after that...

denver133 · 07-14-2006, 01:46 PM

^^^Should of kicked him in the nuts

spazegun2213 · 07-19-2006, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denver133

^^^Should of kicked him in the nuts

ROFL!!!!!

yes i should have.. but then he might have fallen on my trunk

***sti-liger*** · 11-22-2006, 06:53 PM

^^very nice write up i am gonna be changing out my torsion bars on friday and went searching and came across this,great write up

soob'n · 11-25-2006, 01:47 PM

I finally swapped trunks and tried putting on a wingless. Everything was painless until I tried closing my trunk. It refused to "click" into place. I tried adjusting the latch as to get it lined up but it just wont close! It was advertised as an 04'wingless but maybe it's a "bug-eye" model. I dont think it would matter though. I just cant figure out why it wont click. Any help would be great. THANKS!

RAAZ227 · 11-25-2006, 02:25 PM

Maybe I'm missing something but, if your swapping the same color can't you un-bolt the 2 12mm on each side and swap the trunks that way? Then swap out the lock cilynders. Or do the torsion bars differ?

07-13-2006, 06:32 AM	#1
spazegun2213 Poor Speed Racer Car: 96 328 Fav Mod: Race Car! Location: Northern VA Posts: 8,372 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (8)	How To Swap Trunks Remove lock from trunk Remove the glow in the dark release handle. Once this is done you can get to the lock. Simply twist the orange thing around, and pop the metal rod. Take a screw driver (you also might need a hammer as well) and pry that black clip off. Its really tight on there so you will need to use some force (this clip is exactly like the clip securing the brake lines). Remove latch from trunk (optional as it may not be needed) Remove the 2 bolts, twist yellow thing around and pop out that metal rod. You will also need to pop out the cable from that glow in the dark handle. Remove trunk Remove the 4 12mm bolts that secure the trunk to the trunk arms. Beware that the STi trunk weighs a TON (something like 50+ lbs). You will also have to unplug the 3rd brake light and clip all the wire retainers off the sti trunk arm to get the trunk off. Remove Tortion bars This is the PITA step here. Now, there are 2 ends to the tortoin bar. One end that attaches to the trunk arm and the other that is locked in place. First, get a big wrench or a big screw driver (as long as its big, you will need the torque). The part that attaches to the Arm looks like a U, place that wrench in the under side of that U and pry it off the moving piece on the trunk arm. Move that piece up so it fits flush against the arm, and let that U rest agaist there. Now, you are 1/3 done. Take that same wrench and pry out the ends of the U, once this is done, it might spring a little since its torqued a good bit. Once you have done this simply pull the bar out and start on the second one!! Install tortion bars Just reverse the removal procedure. Place the static part of the bar in its older, and position the trunk arm side as close as possible. Lift the trunk arm up and using that wrench pry the ends of the U into their olders. Then pty down on the U and extend that moveable piece on the trunk arm so it fits onto the bar. Once you have done this, you are done and good to start ont he other bar. Install trunk Same 4 bolts and remember to check that the trunk fits right before you try to close it. Install Latch Install Lock Remove brake light Remove Seats Unplug the light which is in the trunk right under the light, loosen the 2 screws that retain the light. Take your hand, slide it under the lid and pop off the rear lid that the light sits on (there is a big whole for the light). There are no screws, just 4 (i think its just 4) tabs that hold it in place. You can get to them from inside of the trunk as well. Install brake light Swap the lids (they pop right back in), plug the light back in and secure the 2 screws. ALL our cars have 3rd light locations for the STi, and the other third brake light, so you dont need to do any electrical work. now all you have to do is look at how hot your new trunk is This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by spazegun2213 : 07-13-2006 at 06:41 AM.

11-25-2006, 02:25 PM	#15
RAAZ227 Junior STI Driver Car: 07 UGM STI Fav Mod: Cobb Location: WDC-Nations Capital Posts: 188 Join Date: Nov 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Maybe I'm missing something but, if your swapping the same color can't you un-bolt the 2 12mm on each side and swap the trunks that way? Then swap out the lock cilynders. Or do the torsion bars differ? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-13-2006, 08:28 AM	#2
SoaReS S204 Racer Car: 05\|WRB\|STi Fav Mod: Cobb Stage 2 Location: H-Town, NJ Posts: 3,816 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (3)	Nice writeup!

07-13-2006, 11:12 AM	#3
flytojungho Spec C Club Car: 06 STI Fav Mod: Prodrive oval tip Location: carmel indiana Posts: 1,251 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	nice... btw, who's the dude with "got united" shirt?

07-13-2006, 06:38 PM	#4
bickford Senior STI Driver Car: 06 obp/g sti Fav Mod: Whiteline sways Location: Durham / Wolfeboro NH Posts: 306 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	nice job! Im going to need this at some point.

07-13-2006, 07:09 PM	#6
denver133 Spec C Club Car: 08 specB Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,455 Join Date: Sep 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	THANK YOU!!!! I am swapping trunks this weekend!!!

07-14-2006, 04:58 AM	#7
spazegun2213 Poor Speed Racer Car: 96 328 Fav Mod: Race Car! Location: Northern VA Posts: 8,372 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (8)	haha, the "got united?" guy was a friend of the guy that i swaped trunks with I decided since i have never seen a trunk swap how to that i would post one. It sucked calling my friends 10+ times to make sure that i was doing it right.

07-14-2006, 05:34 AM	#9
klaymon S204 Racer Car: WRB 2005 STi Fav Mod: Borla Exhaust Posts: 3,083 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	The only thing I would add, is to remove the step for swapping the latch. I've done a swap and it's not needed and will only cause people pain when trying to get it lined back up. Other than that, great write up.

07-14-2006, 01:46 PM	#11
denver133 Spec C Club Car: 08 specB Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,455 Join Date: Sep 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	^^^Should of kicked him in the nuts

11-22-2006, 06:53 PM	#13
*sti-liger* this space for rent Car: 04 psm sti Fav Mod: custom 03 seats Location: california Posts: 739 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (8)	^^very nice write up i am gonna be changing out my torsion bars on friday and went searching and came across this,great write up

11-25-2006, 01:47 PM	#14
soob'n Professional STI Driver Car: OBP 05 STi/silver Fav Mod: RCE Tarmac II's Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 419 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (6)	I finally swapped trunks and tried putting on a wingless. Everything was painless until I tried closing my trunk. It refused to "click" into place. I tried adjusting the latch as to get it lined up but it just wont close! It was advertised as an 04'wingless but maybe it's a "bug-eye" model. I dont think it would matter though. I just cant figure out why it wont click. Any help would be great. THANKS!