Chp trunk equipment holes?

[Va 5.0]

Looks like Sam's car has the holes also also, maybe the micor radios and Ge mastr ii repeaters were heavier than the rangers that replaced them. Possibly later cars like John's did not need the extra bracing?

[mac88chp]

Originally Posted by Va 5.0

Looks like Sam's car has the holes also also, maybe the micor radios and Ge mastr ii repeaters were heavier than the rangers that replaced them. Possibly later cars like John's did not need the extra bracing?

That dual transitter Micor is heavy as hell and the GE cabinet is no lightweight either but so far after 6+ years, my board shows no signs of fatigue or bowing. I built mine from 3/4" CDX plywood per sources I consulted, maybe the earlier ones used lighter weight plywood or fibreboard thus they needed more bracing? The later cabinets may have been lighter too and that combined with better wood may have meant no center bracing was needed.

[Mustang Kid]

I've never seen a CHP car with plywood as the equipment board, 80s-present. All the 80s-90s cars my dad has bought with equipment boards left in them are all fiber board.

Can't seem to locate pictures of our cars with the two holes in the center of the tire well wall. I know my 85 has them. Thought I saw them on my dads 90 as well. It would make sense that there would be a center brace, since there is nothing else in the mustang to support the center. I'll have to look at my dads 92 again since it still has it's fiber board. Can't tell from my pictures.

[John10608]

Well, I'm not going to argue and argue this point, but, I have never seen a center brace for the radio tray in any vehicle let alone a mustang that I drove that I can recall. And yes, I have never seen a plywood tray, not saying there wasn't one, but it was always a fiber partical board.

The braces have one hole in them at each end. If there are 2 ( I'll have to go look ) they are closer together than the ones pictured.

I do know that in the mid 80's ( 84 or 85 I believe ) to about 89 ? we had short wood emt back boards in the trunks. Stuffed behind the spare tire under the radio tray. Placed back there mainly because I don't think they were ever used much at all if ever in the field, probably the reason they only lasted 4 - 5 years. ( I have several of them here ) want one ? LOL

Maybe there was some sort of metal backing they attached inside the spare tire cavity that extended above the trunk floor a few inches to keep the board in place and not sliding around.

That is the ONLY thing I can think of. There just was no center brace in the mustangs. I can not think of anything else the CHP would attach in the spare tire cavity. Maybe they made their own brace to hold the jack and lug wrench, attached it inside and bent it over the top of the tire ? Then how would you get the tire out ? Doubt it.

I do know it was a B &%# H to get the tire out if you had a flat.
You had to empty the whole trunk practically on the side of the freeway, change the tire, stuff it back in the trunk with the rest of the stuff, then head back to the office to get a new spare which required removing all of the above mentioned C %$# P and put it all back again.
P. I. T. A. ! lol But.......... guess maybe that was why the lazy officers called a tow to fix their flat. I thought that was pretty embarrassing myself.( let alone lazy )
I'd change my own tires.

Besides, why would there be 6 holes spread out like that for one thin 1" verticle brace ?? Wasn't for a brace.

Good luck. I have never seen holes like that before though.
My guess would be something to hold the backboards in place behind the spare.

[mac88chp]

Emptied my trunk tonight and checked, no holes in my tire well. Also now recall conversations about building the radio board. The consensus was if you want to be sure it lasts, use plywood instead of particleboard so that's what I did.

[John10608]

That was smart. A board is a board lol
I just remember partical boards so I went with that.
The trim piece on your tray is a nice touch also Mike.

I'm wondering if someone mounted some aftermarket stereo system or something ? Oh well.

[Va 5.0]

I have PM'ed Rich CHP8336 if you look at his Fotki album : restoration #2 picture #2,6 and 7 there is some type of bracket below the radio board. Not sure if it was for the board or what...Hopefully, this will shed some light on what they are for.... Thanks for all the input....

[mac88chp]

Originally Posted by John10608

That was smart. A board is a board lol
I just remember partical boards so I went with that.
The trim piece on your tray is a nice touch also Mike.

I'm wondering if someone mounted some aftermarket stereo system or something ? Oh well.

John, I fashioned that trim piece after one that is on the board of a '90 that was transferred complete (whole radio system included, just stripped the decals) to a tribal police department in far Northern Cal. The owner was an NHP outfitter out of Reno and he told me that the radio board appeared to be untouched. I liked the looks so I copied it for my car.



Someone ask Rich what his board is made out of, it's painted and hard to tell from the photos.