Topic: Fold down install sequence

[Angela]

Concerning fastback interior trim and specifically the fold-down, I'd love some tips if anyone is willing to offer any. Reading several different books, Here's the install sequence I gleamed, although I'll admit that none of the authors agreed on using the same sequence.

Install sequence?
(1) Lower fastback plastic interior pieces, including the trim piece above the trap door (below the glass) and two corner plastic panels. There are three pieces here, which appear to be held by a bunch of rivets and three chrome screws.
(2) Moveable two sections of the fold-down carpet panels.
(3) Non-moveable section of the fold-down
(4) Large, lower plastic interior trim panels, one to each side of the rear seat.
(5) All of the upper interior fastback trim, including the two-piece metal trim which overlays the rear of the headliner.

I don't know when is best to install the trap door.... before or after the fold down, or if that even matters.
Also, when's the best time to attach the rear seat back to the fold-down? Before or after the fold-down is bolted into the car?

[J_Speegle]

Here is how I do it

NOTE: On thing that will change things slightly is if all the panel are original to the car and the car has not seen major panel replacement on the back half. The reason is that with original panels and no repairs you can use the original holes and pressure shadows on the panels to help realign them to one another. With out this everything is a new fit taking longer since no panel can be installed without effecting or influencing another in this assembly

1- All the rear panels. First the riveted panels and the trap door so that all the gaps can be correctly aligned. Don't forget to compensate for the bumpers. You can use paint sticks broken down into 2" sections staked and taped in place where the bumpers will be located or old bumpers with the bases torn off. Which often happens when you removed them

Test fit the rear carpeted panel (if you have a fold down) at this time of look also. You'll want it out of the way but test, test, test fit as you go along.

Trap door adjust up, down and side to side at the hinge bases.  I normally remove the striker from the trap door so it does not scar the rear carpeted section trim if its an early car. Also leave off the plate on the carpeted section also at this point.


2- Install your fold down retainer or non- fold down hardware to the wheel housing at this time


3- Quarter panel trim (rear seat side panels) and then the uppers


4- Fold down seat section next. Again checking fit of the rear carpeted section or non- fold down board before tightening down the section. Also check the fit of the fold down section to the quarter trim moving the section slowly and carefully as and clearance issues now can result in scratches in those panels. Make sure you used the correct screws when installing the trim around the fold down and carpeted sections. Large head screws will stick out an additional amount, reducing clearance and producing (at times) scratches on near by painted/plastic panels

If there is (clearance issues with the side quarter panels) , remove fold down or place it in the up right position if it can be safely and adjust the quarter trim, in, out, forward or rearward (if you can) The floor attachment points allow for at least 1" forward and rearward adjustment while the sheet metal can be flexed side to side at least 1/2"

- I then do the thin trim molding between the panels since I can now use the fold down panels as a base to work off of then the two over the head panels forward of the rear window. Of course you've installed the head liner and rear window long before you started the fold down install


- Would install the seat back and then the seat bottom after everything else is in place and adjusted.


- Make sure your seat belts are installed BEFORE the rear quarter trim panels are installed. Many of have had to retrace those steps

Hope this helps - just what has worked for me


 

[Angela]

Thanks a ton, Jeff, for taking the time to write down all of that information! Your approach is a bit different that what I've read, yet seems to make more sense. Specifically, you suggest installing all of the other trim pieces before attempting to install the fold-down seat. I think that seems more logical than first installing the fold-down, before the quarter panel interior trim (which is what I've read some folks suggest). Thanks again!

One follow-up question: Do you recommend placing the pop-rivets into the holes, but NOT setting them until I'm sure the trap door lines up well with the panels? I think that's what you meant, but am not sure. I don't understand why Ford used pop-rivets here.... seems like a screw of any type at all would have made more sense, since the panels could then be adjusted. I actually have considered not using the rivets for this reason, but something in me just won't let me deviate from "original".

[J_Speegle]

Thanks a ton, Jeff, for taking the time to write down all of that information! Your approach is a bit different that what I've read, yet seems to make more sense. Specifically, you suggest installing all of the other trim pieces before attempting to install the fold-down seat. I think that seems more logical than first installing the fold-down, before the quarter panel interior trim (which is what I've read some folks suggest). Thanks again!

Why we're on the subject of the rear panels remember that they are painted only on the surface facing the interior. The small edges visible from the trunk side are bare/natural light tan and judges make a point of checking them since they are often found painted either by earlier sloppy trunk repaints or using the interior color to "freshen" the look up incorrectly

One follow-up question: Do you recommend placing the pop-rivets into the holes, but NOT setting them until I'm sure the trap door lines up well with the panels? I think that's what you meant, but am not sure. I don't understand why Ford used pop-rivets here.... seems like a screw of any type at all would have made more sense, since the panels could then be adjusted. I actually have considered not using the rivets for this reason, but something in me just won't let me deviate from "original".

Yes I try to test fit everything since once things are tightened or riveted in place its a pain to go back especially since every panel effects a couple of other ones

[Angela]

Jeff, forgive my ignorance.... but I don't follow you..... what edges are you referring to? Edges of the unibody panels? Edges of the plastic interior panels? Edges of the trap door? I don't understand your comment.   
The only thing that immediately comes to (my) mind, is that I've noticed very little paint applied to the edges of the trim panels, such as that affixed to the top of the tram door.

[67gta289]

I believe that Jeff is referring to the back sides of the interior panels.  These should be the "natural" fiberglass color, not painted.  You can see these from the trunk.  See the picture - area at end of pointer. 

Sometimes a poor paint job in the trunk results in this area painted trunk (body) color.

[J_Speegle]

I believe that Jeff is referring to the back sides of the interior panels.  These should be the "natural" fiberglass color, not painted. ...................

+1   Arrows show all the little areas that can be seen from the trunk side