Installing a Package Tray

[greekz]

I am helping to install a 1966 package tray in a 1965 fastback.  I noticed in the current Shelby American Annual a few pictures of the wood reinforcing.  I have a few questions:

1. How far back from the front is the lateral wooden support and how is it attached?
2. Is the self screwed only along the top or the lower trim panel, and is it screwed into the front edge of the lower trim panel as well?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Greek

[shelbydoug]

There are two types that you can use.

The '65 type with the spare tire projecting through the trap door opening or the 66 type that does not affect the trap door.


I have used both. The '66 repro fiberglass panel needs no reinforcement. The '65 panel is reinforced within a few inches of the end projecting into the trunk. I think it is there to reinforce the panel for the spare tire? I haven't used that one in a while.

The better panel is the fiberglass reproduction of the '66 panel since it is already reinforced with integral ribs.

The original '66 panel was molded plastic. Someone attempted to document the actual number installed by SA and they thought maybe around 100?

The problem with it is that it turns into "silly putty" from direct summer sun light or heat and flops around like a fish out of water. BY FAR the better piece is the fiberglass reproduction that people like Branda sell.



The '65 panel may look cool to you but it is an SOB to get the tire in there. It needs to be bolted to the "floor" which in that case is the top of the shock tower structure.
If you are going to put the car on any track with a Tech they are usually going to MAKE you remove it even if it is bolted in. That isn't easy and in the warm weather you will roast back there trying to do it.

It is also very slick, as in slippery with anything on it. Even water and because of that it really is useless as a package tray. The '66 has a lip built into it and can be used as a package tray with some basic precautions.


The wood on the '65 is just a piece of 1x2 glued with an adhesive similar to what we call Construction Adhesive now. It actually gets in the way when you are trying to install the panel.

I remember getting frustrated with it during installation. I removed it and reinstalled it after it was in.


An added benefit to these trays is that you are removing about 85 pounds of rear seat and folding platforms from the car. That is close to the single largest item you can remove to get the car weight down. The next would be going to plexiglass windows.

[greekz]

There are two types that you can use.

The '65 type with the spare tire projecting through the trap door opening or the 66 type that does not affect the trap door.


I have used both. The '66 repro fiberglass panel needs no reinforcement. The '65 panel is reinforced within a few inches of the end projecting into the trunk. I think it is there to reinforce the panel for the spare tire? I haven't used that one in a while.

The better panel is the fiberglass reproduction of the '66 panel since it is already reinforced with integral ribs.

The original '66 panel was molded plastic. Someone attempted to document the actual number installed by SOA and they thought maybe around 100.

The problem with it is that it turns into "silly putty" from direct summer sun light or heat and flops around like a fish out of water. BY FAR the better piece is the fiberglass reproduction that people like Branda sell.



The '65 panel may look cool to you but it is an SOB to get the tire in there. It needs to be bolted to the "floor" which in that case is the top of the shock tower structure.
If you are going to put the car on any track with a Tech they are usually going to MAKE you remove it even if it is bolted in. That isn't easy and in the warm weather you will roast back there trying to do it.

It is also very slick, as in slippery with anything on it. Even water and because of that it really is useless as a package tray. The '66 has a lip built into it and can be used as a package tray with some basic precautions.


The wood on the '65 is just a piece of 1x2 glued with an adhesive similar to what we call Construction Adhesive now. It actually gets in the way when you are trying to install the panel.

I remember getting frustrated with it during installation. I removed it and reinstalled it after it was in.


An added benefit to these trays is that you are removing about 85 pounds of rear seat and folding platforms from the car. That is close to the single largest item you can remove to get the car weight down. The next would be going to plexiglass windows.

Thanks for the information.  It is the  1966 style tray so there will be no hassle with the spare.

[shelbydoug]

There are two types that you can use.

The '65 type with the spare tire projecting through the trap door opening or the 66 type that does not affect the trap door.


I have used both. The '66 repro fiberglass panel needs no reinforcement. The '65 panel is reinforced within a few inches of the end projecting into the trunk. I think it is there to reinforce the panel for the spare tire? I haven't used that one in a while.

The better panel is the fiberglass reproduction of the '66 panel since it is already reinforced with integral ribs.

The original '66 panel was molded plastic. Someone attempted to document the actual number installed by SOA and they thought maybe around 100.

The problem with it is that it turns into "silly putty" from direct summer sun light or heat and flops around like a fish out of water. BY FAR the better piece is the fiberglass reproduction that people like Branda sell.



The '65 panel may look cool to you but it is an SOB to get the tire in there. It needs to be bolted to the "floor" which in that case is the top of the shock tower structure.
If you are going to put the car on any track with a Tech they are usually going to MAKE you remove it even if it is bolted in. That isn't easy and in the warm weather you will roast back there trying to do it.

It is also very slick, as in slippery with anything on it. Even water and because of that it really is useless as a package tray. The '66 has a lip built into it and can be used as a package tray with some basic precautions.


The wood on the '65 is just a piece of 1x2 glued with an adhesive similar to what we call Construction Adhesive now. It actually gets in the way when you are trying to install the panel.

I remember getting frustrated with it during installation. I removed it and reinstalled it after it was in.


An added benefit to these trays is that you are removing about 85 pounds of rear seat and folding platforms from the car. That is close to the single largest item you can remove to get the car weight down. The next would be going to plexiglass windows.

Thanks for the information.  It is the  1966 style tray so there will be no hassle with the spare.

It is an easy install. I used four #10 screws to hold it down though. I'm very happy with it still after all of these years. 25 or so.

To make it very useful you would need to add a cargo net and probably a molded rubber mat but the ribs would interfere with the mat. So it is mostly for show and weight reduction.

This is what mine looks like. You can see where I put the screws in the pic.

[Brant]

I would assume that you will be using a fiberglass reproduction tray as opposed to an original plastic one.

If so, I'm pretty sure that it will be rigid enough that you really do not have to worry about any support provided by wood pieces.

Here is the back of an original:

[greekz]

There are two types that you can use.

The '65 type with the spare tire projecting through the trap door opening or the 66 type that does not affect the trap door.


I have used both. The '66 repro fiberglass panel needs no reinforcement. The '65 panel is reinforced within a few inches of the end projecting into the trunk. I think it is there to reinforce the panel for the spare tire? I haven't used that one in a while.

The better panel is the fiberglass reproduction of the '66 panel since it is already reinforced with integral ribs.

The original '66 panel was molded plastic. Someone attempted to document the actual number installed by SOA and they thought maybe around 100.

The problem with it is that it turns into "silly putty" from direct summer sun light or heat and flops around like a fish out of water. BY FAR the better piece is the fiberglass reproduction that people like Branda sell.



The '65 panel may look cool to you but it is an SOB to get the tire in there. It needs to be bolted to the "floor" which in that case is the top of the shock tower structure.
If you are going to put the car on any track with a Tech they are usually going to MAKE you remove it even if it is bolted in. That isn't easy and in the warm weather you will roast back there trying to do it.

It is also very slick, as in slippery with anything on it. Even water and because of that it really is useless as a package tray. The '66 has a lip built into it and can be used as a package tray with some basic precautions.


The wood on the '65 is just a piece of 1x2 glued with an adhesive similar to what we call Construction Adhesive now. It actually gets in the way when you are trying to install the panel.

I remember getting frustrated with it during installation. I removed it and reinstalled it after it was in.


An added benefit to these trays is that you are removing about 85 pounds of rear seat and folding platforms from the car. That is close to the single largest item you can remove to get the car weight down. The next would be going to plexiglass windows.

Thanks for the information.  It is the  1966 style tray so there will be no hassle with the spare.

It is an easy install. I bolted it down though. I'm very happy with it still after all of these years. 25 or so.

This is what mine looks like. You can see where I put the screws in the pic.

Thanks for the picture, very helpful!

[greekz]

I would assume that you will be using a fiberglass reproduction tray as opposed to an original plastic one.

If so, I'm pretty sure that it will be rigid enough that you really do not have to worry about any support provided by wood pieces.

Here is the back of an original:

Yes, it is the fiberglass reproduction.  Thanks for the picture.

[6s1640]

Hi Greek,

You might be able to get away without the mid support, but the rear supports has the latch for the fastback trap door.  You might want that.  I make both pieces, very near identical to the originals.  See attached images.  I also sent you a PM.

Cory

[greekz]

Thank you to everyone who had provided suggestions and pictures.  It will make the installation much easier.  That is only one of the great things about this Forum, members willingness to help.

Greek

[mikeh]

I put one of the '66 Branda units in my 69 GT-350. I did not have to reinforce it, in fact I did not even screw it in. That being said, I do not put anything on it except for a jacket, towel, etc or ?.

I did put some thin strips of foam weatherstrip along the side fiberglass panels to keep it from rattling, then put some velcro on the bottom side in center & on top of the rear end hump, so it is easily removeable. It all stays put quite well. I did not make a latch for the trap door, it seems to stay put on its own.

I like the look & got rid of the weight of the fold down. Also, I put a couple of layers of insulation under it to help cut down on road noise.

fwiw Mike

[shelbydoug]

The fiberglass 66 panel doens't need any reinforcing.

Some kind of insulation under it does help otherwise it does work somewhat as a drum from the exhausts. The best would be like shipping companies do with expandable foam inside a plastic bag.

I did this with my latch. I found that the trap door would rattle a little too much for my taste. The edge of the panel has a lip on it that you can drill through and bolt a bracket to. I also took some windlance and put it on the edge since the fiberglass there is a dull sharp edge.

I suppose you can get as creative as you would like? Personally I think it is a good modification but others might consider it sacrilege?

[greekz]

I put one of the '66 Branda units in my 69 GT-350. I did not have to reinforce it, in fact I did not even screw it in. That being said, I do not put anything on it except for a jacket, towel, etc or ?.

I did put some thin strips of foam weatherstrip along the side fiberglass panels to keep it from rattling, then put some velcro on the bottom side in center & on top of the rear end hump, so it is easily removeable. It all stays put quite well. I did not make a latch for the trap door, it seems to stay put on its own.

I like the look & got rid of the weight of the fold down. Also, I put a couple of layers of insulation under it to help cut down on road noise.

fwiw Mike

Thanks, Mike, I appreciate the help.

Greek

[greekz]

The fiberglass 66 panel doens't need any reinforcing.

Some kind of insulation under it does help otherwise it does work somewhat as a drum from the exhausts. The best would be like shipping companies do with expandable foam inside a plastic bag.

I did this with my latch. I found that the trap door would rattle a little too much for my taste. The edge of the panel has a lip on it that you can drill through and bolt a bracket to. I also took some windlance and put it on the edge since the fiberglass there is a dull sharp edge.

I suppose you can get as creative as you would like? Personally I think it is a good modification but others might consider it sacrilege?

ShelbyDoug,

Thanks for the latch information and the wind lace suggestion.  That is one option to consider.

Greek

[mikeh]

Oh yes I forgot, I also put windlace around the entire tray.

[shelbydoug]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Branda is going to sell a bunch of these 66 rear panels real soon.

I won't be surprised at all that they are suddenly "discovered"?