Mustang Monthly Homepage Mustang Monthly
Get Adobe Flash player

How To: Project '66 Trunk Detailing

We "Bring Up the Rear" of Our Hardtop Project With the Help of CJ Pony Parts
By Mark Houlahan
Photography by Mark Houlahan
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Completed Trunk
Our hardtop's trunk is ready... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Completed Trunk
Our hardtop's trunk is ready for its first show, which hopefully will be Silver Springs 2002. Come show time, we hope our hardtop's trunk will hold all of the Missus's "essential" items for show travel (and any purchases while we're there too).
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Bolt In New Fuel Tank
1 Bolting the fuel tank into... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Bolt In New Fuel Tank
1 Bolting the fuel tank into place with a new hardware kit is the first step to completing our trunk detailing. We suggest skipping the original hardware, since it's usually rusted beyond use, or missing, and the new hardware kit is only a few bucks. Don't forget 3M strip caulk sealer between the tank and the trunk floor.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Cork Gaskets
2 This is an old detailer's... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Cork Gaskets
2 This is an old detailer's trick that's been mentioned many times, but is always worth discussing for the new people in the audience. When installing or replacing the fuel-tank filler neck, place two cork gaskets (instead of one) behind the filler-neck flange. The extra thickness is barely noticeable, and the fuel-filler cap will now be situated off the taillight panel enough to prevent scratches in the paint.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Fuel Filler Neck
3 The fuel-filler neck is... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Fuel Filler Neck
3 The fuel-filler neck is positioned over the tank opening, then the new fuel-filler neck hose is attached to the tank and the filler neck. Notice the position of the hose clamps. This is the location used by the factory to prevent anything snagging on the head of the clamps.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Trunk Drain Plug
4 Don't forget the trunk-floor... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Trunk Drain Plug
4 Don't forget the trunk-floor drain plugs. These rubber plugs prevent water and dirt from getting into the trunk area, ruining the trunk mat and causing rust damage.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Drilling Mounting Holes
5 Since we had our trunk... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Drilling Mounting Holes
5 Since we had our trunk floor replaced during body repairs, the original mounting holes for the trunk filler extension board weren't there. Using the new extension board as a template, we drilled small pilot holes for the new self-tapping screws. Once the holes were drilled, the new tapping screws were installed with a dab of caulk on their tips to seal the holes.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Luggage Strap
6 Another often missed, yet... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Luggage Strap
6 Another often missed, yet inexpensive item in the restoration and detailing of the '66 trunk is the luggage strip found only on the left wheelhouse. This rubber strip is applied over the weld seam of the wheelhouse to prevent abrasion damage to suitcases. It's not used on the passenger side because the spare tire prevents contact with the lip of the wheelhouse there.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Insulation
7 To protect the fuel tank... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Insulation
7 To protect the fuel tank and add an insulating factor, we installed this barrier insulation from Ssnake-Oyl before installing our plaid trunk mat. You'll notice in this photo that there isn't a pass-through hole in the right trunk floor for the fuel-sending unit wiring (due to the new sheetmetal). A hole will be made when we install the wiring.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Jack
8 While the thin-felt-backed... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Jack
8 While the thin-felt-backed trunk mats are a nice touch for a daily driver, we opted for the more expensive, correct-style, thick rubber mat. Be sure to get the correct mat for the year of your project. A new scissors jack and correct ratchet-handle lug wrench (both missing when we bought the car) are in place here with our spare-tire hold-down hardware as well. Don't forget the jack sticker, since it doesn't come on the new jack.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Taillight Reflector Housing
9 The new taillight reflector... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Taillight Reflector Housing
9 The new taillight reflector housings are installed using the proper hardware and new gaskets. Notice the two angled spacers on the top studs. These are often missing and are a great detail touch for a correct restoration. They don't come with the housings, so be sure to order them.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing New Bezels
10 New taillight bezels and... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing New Bezels
10 New taillight bezels and lenses are installed to the reflector housing with the proper screws. These short-body screws don't take much to strip out the threaded holes in the reflectors, so take your time during installation.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Taillight Harness
11 Our taillight harness... 
   
  read full caption
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Taillight Harness
11 Our taillight harness had seen better years. Somewhere along the line, the harness had been tapped into for extra lighting, and the woven cover was long gone. A new harness was our answer. The harness comes with these adapter ends, allowing the harness to plug into early- and late-built Mustangs. Our Mustang required the adapters to plug into the steering column properly.

1  | 2  | Next

Ford Mustang Research
Ford Mustang Get information on specs, safety features, pricing, and equipment options for the new Ford Mustang. The Mustang has a V8 standard engine producing 315 horsepower. It has had 0 vehicle recalls, which can give you an idea about its reliability. Other similar vehicles are the Ford Focus and the Ford Flex.
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Harness Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing License Plate
Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing Back Of The Taillights Classic Mustang Trunk Detailing License Plate Light
 
2009 Ford Mustang Shelby SR
Here's Your Chance To Own Your Own Shelby... more
 
1967 Ford Mustang Hardtop - Coupe Man
Bob Harris Could Have Started With A Fastback Or Convertible, But He Admits To A Fondness For '67 Hardtops... more
 
 
1970 Ford Mustang Sportsroof - Cheap & Fast
Rick Parker's '70 Sportsroof Is A Double R-Code Super Cobra Jet... more
 
1967 Ford Mustang Hardtop - Sapphire Afire
Glenn Thomas' '67 Hardtop Is A Nostalgic Tribute To His Mother's California Special... more
 
 
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 - Mach Fun
Dan Barbee bought his '69 Mach 1 brand-new, but that didn't stop him from changing a few things during the car's restoration... more
 
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Hood - How To: '71-'73 Mach 1 And Sport Hardtop Hood Stripes
Or How To Jazz Up A Killer Hood With A Little War Paint... more
 
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 - Positive Affirmation
A Top Mach HandCrafted By The Best Of Friends... more
 
1996 Ford Mustang GT - Laser Surgery
Bernie Burl's '96 Mustang GT Leaves A Lasting Impression... more