How This DIY ID. Buzz Frunk Adds Real Storage

An ID. The Buzz doesn't come with a frunk from the factory, but one dedicated Volkswagen owner has shown that the electric van can support a functional front trunk. The factory front area of the electric microbus is largely an open drop down to the fender well, leaving empty cavities where small items can easily fall into inaccessible areas. This design choice by Volkswagen left the space under the hood mostly useless for storage, but a custom modification has successfully transformed the front compartment into a practical, dual compartment storage system.

Jeremy completed the project. He's a Volkswagen enthusiast who wanted to make the empty space under the hood functional for storage while adding visual appeal for car shows. But rather than accepting the empty space, he designed a custom setup that requires no drilling or permanent changes to the vehicle. It's fully removable. This approach ensures the entire assembly can be taken out whenever necessary, so it preserves the original condition of the vehicle.

Building a functional front trunk

Creating a custom storage area in the nose of the electric van took careful planning and specific materials. Jeremy started with detailed cardboard templates to map out the complex shape of the front compartment, ensuring the entire assembly would fit perfectly without removing the front bumper or modifying any existing wiring and sensors under the hood. It's a tight space. But this step was important because nothing could be altered under there.

To construct the actual shelving and panels, Jeremy used pre-perforated stainless steel mesh sheets purchased from Amazon. The main structure consists of milled stainless steel sheets with 5 mm holes. He also created a custom-bent lower stainless panel to serve as the main floor of the storage area. Because cutting and shaping stainless steel leaves incredibly sharp edges, he applied rubber door-edge trim to cover the metal borders, protecting both his hands and the interior wiring of the vehicle from accidental damage during installation and use.

Secure mounting without drilling

Reversibility was a primary goal. Jeremy used industrial-strength indoor and outdoor Velcro to secure the new metal shelves inside the bay, so this heavy-duty hook-and-loop tape provides a strong hold that keeps the shelves in place during driving, but it also lets you pull them out quickly when necessary.

Easy removal is highly important for vehicle maintenance. The area under the hood houses critical vehicle systems that must remain accessible to technicians or the owner. By using Velcro instead of permanent screws or bolts, the panels can be lifted out in seconds to allow full access to:

• The 12-Volt battery connection points
• The air conditioning lines and service ports
• Windshield washer fluid reservoirs and vehicle sensors

Adding personality to the bay

Beyond the practical storage benefits, the project was designed to make the engine bay more visually interesting when the hood is popped at car shows. Jeremy added several custom decorative touches to give the compartment a cohesive theme. He installed a Skoda-style washer fluid funnel to make refills easier and added a Volkswagen surfboard pin as a nod to the brand's heritage.

The main visual theme? It's inspired by a custom car Jeremy saw during a trip to Poland. He styled the lower panel of the compartment to look like an Energizer battery, playing on the electric nature of the vehicle, and that decision gives the whole space a clever, cohesive feel. And to complete the look, he added a 3D-printed decorative 9-volt battery piece. It's playful. The entire compartment resembles a giant battery cell.

The hardest parts of the build were creating accurate cardboard templates, cutting and shaping the stainless steel, and avoiding scratches and cuts from sharp metal edges.

Testing the actual storage capacity

While the visual upgrades make the vehicle stand out at shows, the primary goal was to add real utility to the van. The factory design offers zero storage up front, forcing owners to keep all their gear in the main cabin or the rear cargo area. To see how much the newly created ID. Buzz frunk shelves could actually handle, a practical test was conducted to fill the two new compartments.

The space proved to be surprisingly deep and accommodating. During the test, the modified front trunk swallowed emergency gear and charging accessories that would otherwise clutter the interior. The items successfully stored in the DIY compartments included:

• A set of fabric snow tire socks
• Two pairs of protective gloves
• A fully stocked first-aid kit
• Multiple Tesla charging adapters
• A standard Level 1 charging cable

This successful test proved that the empty space under the hood can easily be converted into a highly useful storage spot for items that are needed only occasionally, keeping them out of the main cabin while keeping them easily accessible.

Advice for replicating the build

It's highly approachable. Jeremy recommends starting with cardboard templates before buying any metal, since the clearance under the hood is tight and irregular, so spending extra time on the templates prevents wasting expensive stainless steel sheets later.

He advises starting with the lower shelf. That single piece provides the majority of the usable storage volume, so it's the most practical place to begin. Rubber edge guards are a must when working with the metal sheets, as they'll prevent the steel from scratching your car's painted surfaces or cutting you during that tight fitting process. But you can't skip the Velcro. Using high-quality, industrial-grade Velcro is necessary to keep the shelves from shifting or rattling while the vehicle is moving.

The rear cargo area of the vehicle is also set for a custom upgrade. After spending so much time and effort refining the front compartment, Jeremy hinted that his rear trunk became jealous, prompting him to plan a factory-inspired custom modification for the rear cargo area of the van in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ID. Buzz frunk, and how was it created?

The ID. Buzz frunk is a custom front trunk created by Volkswagen enthusiast Jeremy to add storage under the hood. He designed a dual-compartment system using milled stainless steel sheets and cardboard templates, avoiding any drilling or permanent changes to the vehicle.

Why did Volkswagen leave the front storage area empty, and how did Jeremy address that?

Volkswagen designed the front area as an open drop down to the fender well with empty cavities, making it mostly useless for storage. Jeremy addressed this by creating a fully removable, custom shelving system that turns the space into practical storage without modifying the vehicle.

How did Jeremy ensure the ID. Buzz frunk shelves stay secure without permanent mounting?

He used industrial-strength indoor and outdoor Velcro to secure the metal shelves inside the bay. This heavy-duty hook-and-loop tape provides strong hold during driving but allows quick removal for vehicle maintenance.

What items were successfully stored in the DIY ID. Buzz frunk during testing?

The test stored emergency gear including fabric snow tire socks, protective gloves, a first-aid kit, Tesla charging adapters, and a Level 1 charging cable. This proved the space can hold occasionally needed items out of the main cabin.

What advice does Jeremy give for replicating the ID. Buzz frunk build?

He recommends starting with cardboard templates to avoid wasting metal, beginning with the lower shelf for most storage, using rubber edge guards to prevent cuts and scratches, and using high-quality industrial Velcro to keep shelves from shifting.