How does the rail on the rear package tray mount 1970E

[lexatola]

I picked up a period correct rear package tray and I'm bewildered as to how the rail that runs across the length of the tray mounts to the tray itself. I see that it has 4 screws and that the tray has four slits in the vinyl. What I don't see is where the screws screw into. Perhaps I'm missing some small component.

Any thoughts or pictures sure would be helpful,

Thanks for reading,

Alex

[MrJTP2001]

There should be 4 tabs sticking up through the 4 slits in the vinyl. A speed nut slips over those 4 tabs and the screw with decorative washer comes in from the back side of the trim piece.

[John Z Goriup]

Took a couple of quicky shots of the brackets mentioned above......Yes, there are four ! (pardon the dust on the rear window...weather's been awful lately and haven't spent much time in garage ).

Before you install the upholstered cross-bar make sure there's a spring-steel speednut, as mentioned above in each bracket.

[lexatola]

Hey guys - This is helpful. So I can safely say that those tabs don't exist on my set up. Are they attached to the car's rear deck or are they part of the vinyled cover? I'm just trying to think how to best fabricate a solution.

Thanks again,

Best,

Alex

[John Z Goriup]

The tabs are welded to the steel package shelf which is part of the unibody chassis structure...........if they are missing, it means someone either removed them or the package shelf was replaced by a previous owner ( due to rust, or accident damage, etc. ).

You could make some brackets from sheet metal or thin-gage 90 degree angle (steel or alum. ), then bend to the appropriate angle and rivet them to the steel package shelf. The upholstered bar that the brackets support really is nothing more than a barrier to keep light objects ( a hat, a jacket, an umbrella or other minor items) from flying forward in case of sudden stops, ergo, it's not subjected to a lot of stress.

Do you have the upholstered bar which screws to the brackets. If you do you, can tell by the drilled holes where the brackets should be located.

If your car didn't come with the bar, may I suggest you call E.A.S.Y. in Emeryville, CA @ 510. 653. 3178, purchase a used bar from them and proceed from there.

[lexatola]

I went out to the garage and took up the package shelf cover. Under that cover is a layer of aftermarket foam that is glued down to the deck. The PO had a bad looking carpet kit installed that extended up onto the deck. I peeled back the foam to find that the mounting tabs have been snipped off. I also found signs of rust under the foam - so I quickly put everything back into place and am now trying to employ my full powers of denial.... At some point when I'm having other bodywork done I guess I'll need to look more closely at what's going on back there. I don't think it is too bad, but there is clearly some older rot back there.

In the meantime the package tray bar wedges in nicely between either sidewall and I guess there it will stay until I'm prepared to tackle the deck.

Thanks for the guidance,

Best,

Alex