I have about given up on this thing. I am trying to install the cardboard package shelf on my 69 coupe. I bought the shelf with the mesh for my rear speakers. As far as I can tell, it just "wedges" under the interior body/trim that surrounds the package tray and the foam and vynal lip is stuck to the rear seat/trunk divider with adhesive. try all I can, I cannot get the tray to wedge deep enough to hold in place and it seems as though it may be to short on the ends. I must say I installed a layer of B-Quiet on the shelf, but this stuff is less that 1/8 thick and I can't see it interfereing. Are there any tricks to this? Am I doing something wrong? Is the mesh tray to thick? It looks to be two layers. I am at a loss on this thing.

Codi, I put a layer of Death Mat insulation down before putting back my cardboard tray too but it slided right under the metal trim and the rear seat lip was fine too. Seems odd it wont fit back in there. Did any of the insul. get budged up under the trim and not allow it to slide under? Might have to remove the trim, lay the cardboard and put the trim back as an idea.
Anyone else have a plan?
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Jim's got a good idea. Remove all the trim and try installing it that way.
The only other thing I can think of is that it's a typical aftermarket piece and wasn't designed very well to begin with.... and will need a lot of poking and prodding in order to work properly.

Good luck!

You and I have the same deluxe package tray with the mesh weave on it. Making the assumption that the pieces have been manufactured the same and there are no quality issues...

I had thought the same as you. That it wouldn't fit.

I used some B-Quite on the top and instead of using the jute, (still in the package in the garage) I used the sound deadening 1/4 inch stuff from B-Quite. (Maybe even 3/8ths thick?) So it isn't a thickness issue, (or shouldn't be.)

So assuming no quality issues, it will go. It'll fit.

It may sound funny or pathetic, but it took me forever to do this final piece of the job. It wouldn't go in at first. I was constricted by taking too much care around the paint job on the metal trim for the package tray. Then, it became a matter of getting the package tray in there. I did so and found the way it needs to be bent up, slid, tucked along with the flury of mechanic words needed when things go bad. graemlins/angry.gif

Once I found how it went in, I took it back out, repainted because I had scratched up the corners, badly.

Reinstalled, RESCRATCHED!!! Removed, repaint again. (Now the third paint job.) graemlins/clonk.gif

The final time I used low tack masking tape on the painted areas to protect it when installing the package tray. I strongly suggest you do the same.

So step one is figure out why it isn't seating right. What I remember is that you need to get it in there deep, so the front corners will clear. Bend it up so the corners aren't a problem, stuff it into the back under the window. Then, let the corners go in to their pockets. Once they clear, it should find it's proper depth and be able to slide a bit left and right in that pocket. While you practice this so you understand what it wants, practice mounting the corner trim clips so you understand their "feel" also. I had a tough time only because I was timid with newly painted pieces.

I hope this helps.

Rick. graemlins/waving.gif

Trim? My failing memory only has those two corner brackets there as removeable trim.

I hope my previous message didn't confuse.

Anyway, there's more here. Once you get through this subject, you'll need to glue down that trim flap to dress out between the rear seat and the package tray.

DO NOT GLUE THE FOAM DOWN. (I bet you can guess what I did.)
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This can be a matter of debate but if I were to do it again, I would fold the foam over in half, then glue the vinal trim down allowing the foam to float inside.

What it is doing is putting up a puff between the end of the package tray and the seat back. (The 3/4 or one inch space.) It is also using that puff to fill in any irregularities between the seat and the package tray.

Click, how did you do it?


Rick.

I didnt even glue my flap down since I have the folding back seat, the frame for the cardboard behind the seat is in the way. The corners of the trim are all that come out, thats right. But it helped me see the edges as they slide around.
Its odd that such a simple piece of cardboard is so fussy but its just a trial and error moving things around before you tack down.
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Man that was a fast response. As for the B-Quiet, I kept it about and inch short of the trim to allow plenty of room for the cardboard tray. I guess there is no real "trick" to getting this thing in, just plain tenacity. What I am having trouble with is the tray seems to thick for the area between the trim and metal shelf. When I get half tucked in and start on the other side, the first half pops out. The sides seem a tad short as I bend it to get it tucked into the sides and when centered, it pops out. I'll try it again this week. I got frustrated and walked away from it this weekend. graemlins/sad.gif

Codi, are you sure there is no leftover material from the previous package tray stuck in any of the crevices?

I don't recall my repro (non-mesh grille) package tray being that difficult to install. If I remember correctly I put a bow in the peice (bent the corners down slightly on each side) and slid it right into place. There was some wiggling around needed to center the tray perfectly. Maybe I just got lucky!

I used the cardboard one which I cut to fit two 6x9 speakers, and covered with the original rectangular grilles. I test fit, and marked the speaker openings. I placed tape at on the reveal and cardboard to act as reference points, so I could realign it properly to the oval speaker openings. I laid down a piece of jute and kind of bowed the cardboard and carefully slid it under the reveal. Realigned the reference marks, and installed the speakers and grilles to hold everything in place. Then I reinstalled the corner trim.

I have the definitive answer now. After trying again this weekend, my neighbor (and buddy, Tommy) and I spent 45 minutes trying to get this thing in. It would rock from side to side. I borrowed a new PUI standard package tray and tried it. Slipped in within 5 seconds. My tray from NPD has to be defective. It rocks in the center and you cannot get both sides to slide in at the same time. Back it goes to NPD along with a few other "not so well done" pieces. I'll try someone else for my repro parts.

That must have been frustrating as all get out. You would think they, the parts suppliers, would pay a bit more attention to quality.

One resto compnay, un-named but not our hosts, sold me the little brackets that attach to your door skins and the mirrors attach to this bracket. These things were so far off, they would never, ever be able to be used.

I called them and said I wanted to return them and mentioned the quality issue. Here's the kicker, "We know, we've heard."

Then why did you sell them to me? <sigh> :rolleyes:

That reminds me. Do you want the Jute backing that goes under the package tray?


Rick.

I am going to order a new tray from another supplier today (ground up doesn't show one). I am not sure about the padding as I have the B-Quiet down and it may make things to thick, but I am not sure. Why? Got one for sale?

You can have the damn thing. Send me the postage back. I hate having parts in the garage that I thought I needed. I used B-Quiet Sound Absorption on the back deck. It has to be about 1/4 to 3/8th thick.

Rick.

Codi, got my tray from Classic. Went right in with no hassles. Think it was $18 + shipping oversize.

Nantooch, did you have anything on the package tray area before you put it in, like sound deadener or anything?

Man this brings back memories. I ended up with teh basic cardboard tray, cut in my speaker holes, had a buddy glue and stitch material over it (he added a bowtie emblem) and it slipped right in. Looks good, has the look I wanted and it has been in place ever since. I never used the insulation, just the B-quiet. Anybody need the tray insulation? I'll pass it on.