The Great Pumpkin - '71 Duster

mopowers said

Excellent write up! I'm in the middle of the same tasks on my 66 build. Do you plan on finishing the aluminum package tray somehow? I was just planning on sealing any seams with polyurethane seam sealer and shooting it with some type of textured coating like undercoating or truck bed liner. I'm thinking that would finish off the seams and bare panels nicely. I'm curious what you go with.

Also, what size alternator charge wire and starter cable did you go with? How is it all fused?

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Yes, I plan to finish the package tray. Currently thinking about faux carbon fiber wrap/paper applied directly to the aluminum. I used that stuff on my '68 Coronet to cover up the beat up old dash bezels and it came out great. The carbon fiber look would be somewhat similar in appearance to the factory package tray dull (no glare) finish.

The aluminum panels will ultimately get riveted or screwed to the package shelf. I don't plan to seam seal it or anything but I will put some strips over the seams to cover them for a finished appearance. Also planning on putting some kind of thin insulation or rubber strips underneath to keep the rattles down.

Thought about putting something on top of the aluminum but that too would have to be cut to fit so most likely I'll stick with the first idea with the wrap. I'd have to drill the mount holes first, apply the wrap stuff then fasten them down for good.

The factory tray is basically just Masonite painted flat black with some trim stitched into the sides. I learned the hard way it's a no-go with a roll bar because I destroyed a brand new one from Legendary trying get it in. I could custom make one like I did with the aluminum but it's probably not worth the effort.

In regards to the alt. wire, I thinks it is #4. I'm looking at this bulkhead connector. It allows one to disconnect the charge wire without having to remove it entirely. Not a cheap little trinket though!