How To Replace Fox Body Mustang Hatch Cargo Cover Brackets | 1983-86

In this article, we take a look at 5.0 Resto’s cargo shade mounting brackets for 1983 to 1986 hatchback Fox Mustangs and how to replace them with your stock brackets. The cargo shade mounting brackets are responsible for keeping the cargo shade in place and are oftentimes damaged, faded, and brittle from years of sun exposure, or like many other Fox Mustang interior components...they’re no longer there.

Well, these replacements we have here from 5.0 Resto are a perfect, easy fix to those existing or missing cargo shade brackets. In typical 5.0 Resto fashion, these are molded from grey plastic, features the factory style grain and texture, factory dimensions, and tolerances, and incorporate the flat spring to ensure proper operation of the bracket. In the box will be a driver and passenger side bracket as well as new retaining hardware. As far as fitment is concerned, these cargo shade brackets will fit 1983 to 1986 hatchback Fox Mustangs.

Prep/Paint

1. Also like many other interior parts we offer, these will need to be prepped and painted to match the interior in your Fox Mustang. Since the piece is new, there is very little prep work… start by scuffing the surface with a light-duty scuff pad and then wipe it down with a plastic safe wax and grease remover. Before you start painting, verify that you’re working in a well-ventilated area.


2. When painting interior plastics, it’s best if you hold the can approximately 6 to 8 inches from the surface. We always spray the underside first; this is referred to as “cutting-in” in the painting world and this is done so that you don’t induce overspray on the topside.


3. For example, you spray the topside last so that any overspray settles on the underside and it’s never seen once the part is installed. Apply light coats allowing 5 to 10 minutes between coats. Make overlapping passes with medium arm speed. Whenever complete coverage is achieved allow at least one hour for the paint to dry before painting the top side of the brackets.


4. Flip the brackets over and spray the topside in the manner that you did the underside. Once you achieve complete coverage, it’s in your best interest to let the paint fully cure for 24 hours before installing them into the car.


5. Whenever the paint has fully cured, you can install them in the car.

1. If you’re removing the existing bracket, depress the tab and remove both ends of the cargo shade, and set this out of the way.


2. Loosen and remove the Phillips head screws and remove each bracket. Use this opportunity to thoroughly clean the area with a plastic-safe interior cleaner.

Installation

1. Position the new brackets into place and install (2) of the provided Phillips head screws. Because of the slotted holes in the brackets, you have a little bit of adjustment room… but we just center the head of the screw within the slots and then carefully tighten them down.


2. Do this for the other bracket.


3. Verify you have the cargo shade orientated in the right direction and then carefully line up the end of either side of the shade with the bracket. Depress the tab and slide the end of the shade into the bracket.


4. Whenever you move to the other side, push in on the end of the cargo shade since it’s spring-loaded, depress the tab on the bracket, and slide it into place. After that, you’re good to go!

Wrapping everything up here guys, know that when you paint or dye interior components, a 100-percent color match is not always guaranteed. Other than that, these 5.0 Resto cargo shade mounting brackets do exactly what they’re intended to do… and that is to hold the cargo shade in place.