Howdy, y'all

I have an '01 Accord Sedan that I love except for its inability to carry large pieces of cargo. Among other things, I'm a photographer, and I'd like to be able to carry framed 24"x36" prints in the back, horizontal, with the rear seats folded down. The actual box I used for the most recent one is 33.5"W x 48"L x 1.5"H

Before I get to my actual question, let me say that I want to carry the print completely enclosed within the vehicle. I've considered a variety of other options, and this thread is simply to determine the feasibility of this particular option.


So, this would be easy except that the pathway between the trunk and the passenger compartment is so dang narrow. I did some preliminary investigation, and it looks like the pieces on either side of the opening are structural pieces of sheet-metal. I'm wondering how feasible it would be to cut out those pieces, and perhaps to install removable bracing in their place.

In particular, does anyone know what purpose those pieces have? Are they there to support the rear seats, or keep things from the trunk out of the passenger compartment? Or are they perhaps to help distribute forces from the rear suspension? I'm specifically wondering whether the vehicle would be safe to drive with them removed, and without any passengers sitting in the rear.

Any help or references would be appreciated. If anyone can find a picture of a 5th- or 6th-gen Accord sedan with a stripped/gutted interior, that would also be helpful.

Thanks,
--xsdg

 

Kept looking around and found some pictures:
See http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...73_65_full.jpg
(from http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthre...1369669/page/1 )

It looks like those supports bolt up pretty close to the shock towers, which makes it a bit more likely that they're structural braces for the vehicle, rather than just for the seats or something. / Particularly, given the shape and bolt locations, they could easily be countering lateral shear of the passenger compartment. Blah. Any thoughts?

[other images]
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...accord-ex.html
http://carstereotalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=606

 

Maybe. They're called "GUSSET, RIGHT (and left) REAR BULKHEAD, #s 32 & 33:



The previous generation wagon obviously didn't have them:



But the previous generation sedan did (#s 37 & 39):



IDK if the wagon is simply more structurally rigid due to the roof being back further or if is was structurally beefed up to do without the gussets.

 

removing these would allow the back to flex more. im sure it would be ok to do as long as your not taking fast turns and driving easy. i would replace them with some type of support bars that maybe flex the other way opening the space more.

i wouldn't be removing these from my vehicle though