73 Dart Sport Fold Down Seat Package Shelf

440plus6 · Nov 10, 2021

I'm getting close to finishing up the interior on my 73 Dart Sport. With the rear seat back in the up position, there's a huge open space between it and the package shelf. I'm looking at and thinking that it makes no sense that it would have been this way from the factory. I had gotten the fold down seat specific package shelf from Laysons. Could it be the incorrect package shelf? Does anybody have any pics on what this should look like? It bugs me as it looks soooo bad.
Thanks in advance for any input.

missing linc · Nov 10, 2021

There is a large gap between the seat back and the package tray, that is the way it was built, unfortunately. My 75 Dart Sport is the same.

72bluNblu · Nov 10, 2021

The package tray for the fold down seat cars was totally different than the standard seat package tray. You can see pictures of both in the “how to” thread I did when I converted my ‘74 Duster to a fold down seat

How To: Fold down seat conversion

I don’t know for certain, but I would guess that the fold down seat package tray was made that way to increase vertical clearance for the pass through area. I didn’t swap the package tray, and I can say it definitely limits the height of things that can fit in the pass through area between the trunk and the back seat. It still works, but you could fit much taller items with the factory fold down package tray.

tinman2 · Nov 10, 2021

You must be beyond this point but here are some pictures of the factory layout. And 72bluNblu , you are welcome to add these to your how to article if you like.