Word of warning. - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

SPHELL · 10-22-2003, 22:08

Let me just say to anyone considering cutting their parcel shelf to put in 6X9's or whatever.....DON'T. One of the unroadworthy items on my car was the parcel shelf. It had metal cut out from when I had my stereo system in. The thing was, it was done professionally when I used to work at Strathfield and there wasn't a huge amount of metal cut, but that didn't matter. I was lucky and managed to get a letter from Strathfield saying the structual integrity of the shelf wasn't compromised...BUT it was hard enough to find someone that would actually write it.

If I didn't get that letter, I would have had to get a whole new parcel shelf welded in! Imagine how much that would have cost! Not to mention the $800 fee to get an Engineer's inspection and certificate! A few of the engineers I spoke to said the cops are a lot tougher on this now because it weakens the child restraint mounts and if you have them cut out your pretty much f*cked. Just thought you guys might like to know considering this is pretty common.

EFFalcon · 10-22-2003, 22:12

a lot of car audio places won't touch the parcel shelf now too. which is good to know. :)

Walkinshaw · 10-22-2003, 22:13

the best way, (also sounds the best) is to make a fake parcel shelf from 12mm MDF. bolt that to the existing one and mount the 6x9's into that.

SPHELL · 10-22-2003, 22:23

yeah that's actually what I've done but I still had metal cut out. It wasn't even for 6x9's it was just to let some extra bass into the cabin from the subs.

Walkinshaw · 10-22-2003, 22:25

damn RTA......grrr

lucky you didnt need to weld in a new parcel shelf......that would cost a bit. and burn your paint...

LTDHO · 10-23-2003, 00:26

Man, it's been illegal for years...

No reputable audio shop would do it.....

Barefoot · 10-23-2003, 00:57

mine was cut when I bought the car :( but it had a roadworthy certificate

SmokedEB · 10-23-2003, 02:14

Guy's as a Engineering student i can tell u that if your parcel shelf is cut, welding a new one in is far worse then putting plates over the holes and weldng them in. Did RTA tell you that was the only solution? If you think about it, little welding on the holes themselves is much better then having a very structurally weak new shelf. I wish these bloody transport dept's grew some common sense

SPHELL · 10-23-2003, 02:18

I rang about 5 engineers. About 3 said get a whole new shelf and the other two said just weld parts of a second hand shelf underneath the holes that are cut.

Rmyers · 10-23-2003, 02:33

I got Strathfield to cut my shelf, is there anyway I can go back for them to give me a letter such as yours? I still have the receipts and that booklet thing they gave me... If not, how much would I be looking at to either get some new plates welded in, or failing that, a new parcel shelf?

This has been bugging me for a while and I've wanted to do something about it before I haveto end up paying an extra $200 or so dollars ontop of these engineers costs if/when I get pulled over....