[sukutash]

Has anyone figured how to cover or do something with the cavernous hole left by the DEF tank delete?

[Mrdeezy]

I put my meth pump there.

[335dlci]

Cuda put a spare tire..

[BB_cuda]

I know where a used trunk black plate is if someone is interested. I had to drill mine to weld in threaded rod for spare tire. I bought another one new to have an unmolested one if I put everything back to OEM.
TDI covered up this area with a close out.

[335dlci]

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

I know where a used trunk black plate is if someone is interested. I had to drill mine to weld in threaded rod for spare tire. I bought another one new to have an unmolested one if I put everything back to OEM.
TDI covered up this area with a close out.

I'm cureently on travel with family from socal to Seattle and having a full size front wheel is nice but also a pain in the trunk lol.

[Nadir Point]

My DEF tanks will be re-purposed for water-meth and auxiliary fuel.

[pbdm4k]

Originally Posted by UberArchetype

My DEF tanks will be re-purposed for water-meth and auxiliary fuel.

Water-Meth sure... but I don't know if fuel is such a good idea...
I somehow doubt that tank is made of fuel-resistant plastic.

If it isn't, it could degrade and you'd have a potential car fire.

[BB_cuda]

Originally Posted by 335dlci

I'm cureently on travel with family from socal to Seattle and having a full size front wheel is nice but also a pain in the trunk lol.

My setup is only good for a compact spare (17x4, steel). My criteria for doing this was where you can not see the tire hanging past the bumper cover. A full size front wheel would
1) require an appreciably longer threaded rod
2) would hang down farther and likely be visible.

I wanted to not worry about theft. I didn't drill my threaded rod to allow a lock to be put on. I'm pretty sure no one will care/want a compact spare wheel so theft risk is low (and you can't see it). A nice BMW alloy with much larger tire would be a way different theft risk (both in value and visibility).

Here is another idea if you must haul the full size wheel while on a vacation with family and lots of luggage. Yes, it is redneck for sure. Go get the receiver hitch from uhaul or the nicer one that Execuhitch makes. Buy a cargo basket that can be installed into the receiver. Use basket only when you need to fully load the trunk and put spare on the basket. I've been looking at a cheap one from harbor freight. My idea is for overflow baggage.

Ever try to pack luggage for 3 women in our little trunk (even if spare tire isn't a factor)? So, far my answer is only 2 women's worth (and my little bit) will fit.

I have thus far resisted doing the roof rack and Thule (or similar) luggage pod. I've heard it makes wind noise and hurts mileage. Now if I have the weird combo of needing to haul bicycles and excess luggage, uuu boy.

[ChiDiddy]

When you remove the DEF tank out, can u still use the trunk black plate to cover the hole? and also can you still reuse the exhaust heat shield to cover the area? I dont care about filling it with anything....

[BB_cuda]

Yes, black plate can stay if urea tanks gone.

You will have to creative to attach the corrugated shields back. They attach to the tanks. I figured out something but some of the fasteners fell off. Let's just say super glue was involved.

There are two large studs on the bottom of black plate. I removed the large female cylinder looking parts and used a short nut and washer. I punched holes in shield to align with the trunk plate studs and secured the shields.

The volume is deeper without the tanks so the shield is no longer long enough. I cut the shield in half to cover the port abd stbd sides. The spare covers the middle. I used a rubber mallet to reshape the aluminum to go up deeper into the cavity. I'm thinking a picture is worth a thousand words here. Car would need to be on a lift with spare removed for you all to see far enough away view.

[335dlci]

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

My setup is only good for a compact spare (17x4, steel). My criteria for doing this was where you can not see the tire hanging past the bumper cover. A full size front wheel would
1) require an appreciably longer threaded rod
2) would hang down farther and likely be visible.

I wanted to not worry about theft. I didn't drill my threaded rod to allow a lock to be put on. I'm pretty sure no one will care/want a compact spare wheel so theft risk is low (and you can't see it). A nice BMW alloy with much larger tire would be a way different theft risk (both in value and visibility).

Here is another idea if you must haul the full size wheel while on a vacation with family and lots of luggage. Yes, it is redneck for sure. Go get the receiver hitch from uhaul or the nicer one that Execuhitch makes. Buy a cargo basket that can be installed into the receiver. Use basket only when you need to fully load the trunk and put spare on the basket. I've been looking at a cheap one from harbor freight. My idea is for overflow baggage.

Ever try to pack luggage for 3 women in our little trunk (even if spare tire isn't a factor)? So, far my answer is only 2 women's worth (and my little bit) will fit.

I have thus far resisted doing the roof rack and Thule (or similar) luggage pod. I've heard it makes wind noise and hurts mileage. Now if I have the weird combo of needing to haul bicycles and excess luggage, uuu boy.

I still have beenough debating to put a spare under due to having to smog it every years and I would like to put a full size so there is no need to stop twice and have a tire replaced versus staying on the road for the whole trip.

[BB_cuda]

Okay. Full size for you but when you need trunk, you have to go to alternate plan. I've had spare 4 years and used it once.

[335dlci]

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

Okay. Full size for you but when you need trunk, you have to go to alternate plan. I've had spare 4 years and used it once.

Yeah it was last minute planning too. Strapped the spare down with the mounting points with a ratchet strap. We drove pretty much nonstop from la to Seattle Friday nighy. Cant imagine being stranded with a 8 month old.

[sukutash]

I'm more interested in covering the hole.

[Nadir Point]

Originally Posted by pbdm4k

I somehow doubt that tank is made of fuel-resistant plastic.

It's called "polyethylene" - the same stuff all sorts of automotive tanks, everything from water bottles to DEF to fuel tanks are made of.

[TDIwyse]

Originally Posted by sukutash

I'm more interested in covering the hole.

Page 2 of this thread shows what I did for covering the hole. It may or may not be helpful to you: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=936032