With Subie 2.2 conversion on my 85 Vanagon, the air intake to motor no longer protrudes through that black fiber panel on Passenger Side.  I removed the little clips securing the black panel....and peered inside.  What's inside?  Nothing!  What?  Wasted space, a lot of it!  I immediately had visions of fabricating a little plywood shelf, mounted into sheet metal beneath and supported by rubber feet (purpose is so that air can get underneath to prevent rust, and also to give me something to attach some rubber bungees).  The idea would be to store in that unused space stuff that could be very useful on long roadtrips like I do, mostly for emergency situations.  Perhaps...a quart of oil, a quart of 50/50 coolant, an oil filter w/ crush washer for drain plug for when I finally get to a place to change oil, funnel, oil filter wrench.....who knows what else.  All of these would be protected in gallon plastic zip-bags, and then maybe go into some plywood box with appropriate drain holes.  

Just an idea at this point....but hoping others would point out the errors in my thought process.  Obviously, this is not a good space for regularly used items, too hard to get to.  But just fine when far from home in an emergency situation.  Spare parts could go in there too (ignition switch, spare fuel pump and filter, some wire.....).  It's a big volume of unused space.

Rich
San Diego