Package trays

[Colorado Olds]

Josh wants to replace the package tray on his 66 F85 - it's all warped. Outside of buying a new one (does anyone even make them?-I have not looked) what kind of fiberboard/material should we use? I looked at the hobby store but found nothing there? Maybe some really thin plywood? We have the fabric - just not the board.

Any ideas? We prefer to make our own - assuming we can make one that will look decent - bad assumption?

[Jamesbo]

I have never made one but I would guess you would find it easier to straighten the origional that try to cut one out of plywood.

How bad is it?

[68Tom]

Honestly, they're so cheap I'm not sure it's worth the time and effort finding the materials and cutting it. You could try heavy card stock, but any that I've seen will actually break in half if hit hard enough.

[Olds64]

I replaced the package tray in my 64 98 with general purpose carpet. I took the old one out and used it as a pattern. All I did was cut the carpet into the general shape and cut out holes for the speakers. It is the only part of my interior that looks halfway decent.

[Colorado Olds]

I was thinking REALLY thin plywood - something flexible - do they make such a thing?

Anyway, Jamesbo -I tend to agree but Josh wanted to try it -so what the heck? We can buy one if it doesn't work.

Olds64 - you must have something under the carpet - did you just put it over the old tray?

In the end we may buy one. Where is a good place to get one?

[93Code86GN]

www.legendaryautointeriors.com makes OEM reproductions in different interior colors along with other soft trim interior needs.

Terry

[Colorado Olds]

Thanks for the link 93Code.

[Olds64]

you must have something under the carpet

Nope. I don't have anything under the carpet. Just the metal of the package tray.

[Bluevista]

Originally Posted by Colorado Olds

Josh wants to replace the package tray on his 66 F85 - it's all warped. Outside of buying a new one (does anyone even make them?-I have not looked) what kind of fiberboard/material should we use? I looked at the hobby store but found nothing there? Maybe some really thin plywood? We have the fabric - just not the board.

Any ideas? We prefer to make our own - assuming we can make one that will look decent - bad assumption?

Check out 1/8" or 3/16" tempered Masonite and see if it looks like it will work, around 10 bucks a 4x8 sheet at the local home improvement big box stores or the lumberyard. Any jigsaw will work for cutting it if it has curves and most places can rough cut it to size for you if needed. Keep that good factory edge of the sheet in the front if it's straight across on the car. Masonite is much more stable than plywood, most pegboard is tempered masonite, signs, etc.. Untempered is more flexible, lighter, and easier to work with but is less stable and can be hard to find, lumberyards have it sometimes, artists use it a lot for paintings.

Allan

[Oldsguy]

Originally Posted by Colorado Olds

I was thinking REALLY thin plywood - something flexible - do they make such a thing?

Yes, it is called Luan. I may have misspelled it. It is really thin and used to make cheap wood look nicer as usually this stuff is high quality wood with nice grain and appearance. Don't know if they make it out of cheap stuff too though, I am not a carpenter/cabinet maker.

[Jamesbo]

Luaun

[Bluevista]

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

Yes, it is called Luan. I may have misspelled it. It is really thin and used to make cheap wood look nicer as usually this stuff is high quality wood with nice grain and appearance. Don't know if they make it out of cheap stuff too though, I am not a carpenter/cabinet maker.

Luaun or Phillipine Mahogany is what most plywood you find under a quarter of an inch is and should work fine. It is a cheap fast growing wood, not a true mahogany veneer which is completely different and very scarce anymore..
The Masonite is a compressed wood fiber hardboard (not press or flake board) and it is way more stable is the reason I recommended it. I'm old school and tend to build things to last forever so it may be overkill.
Luaun will swell and warp like any wood depending on the humidity, leave a little room for expansion.

I use it mostly for floor underlayment and where SPF plywood is cost prohibitive or unnecessary.
It is used for doors and paneling make sure you use a sealer if it's going to be stained because it has such an open grain and can tend to get blotchy.

BTW I'm a carpenter, going on 30 years officially now, and 8 years learning before I was good enough to be called one, still learning.

[Oldsguy]

Thanks for that clarification on the luaun. I guess it really isn't higher quality stuff then. It looks like the hardboard would be a better bet then.

[71rocket]

Try your local upholstry shop. Many carry the thick cardboard used in door panels. That's what I used and covered it in matching vinyl.