ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1968 Mustang => Topic started by: dkknab on August 14, 2022, 10:00:16 PM

Title: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: dkknab on August 14, 2022, 10:00:16 PM
I have a question about the spare tire in the trunk.  I have a rectangular piece of fiber board that sits under the jack and jack handle protecting the gas tank. I have no way of knowing if it's original to the car.  Is that original to the car or was the jack and jack handle under the spare tire sitting directly on the gas tank and trunk carpet material?
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: J_Speegle on August 14, 2022, 11:04:39 PM
NOTE: Changed the title of the thread to reflect your stated focus


Don't see why masonite board would not be original to your car if its the same shape and material that we typically find.

Have you seen this earlier thread on the general subject?

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=11915.msg72111#msg72111 (https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=11915.msg72111#msg72111)
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: Bob Gaines on August 14, 2022, 11:18:36 PM
I have a question about the spare tire in the trunk.  I have a rectangular piece of fiber board that sits under the jack and jack handle protecting the gas tank. I have no way of knowing if it's original to the car.  Is that original to the car or was the jack and jack handle under the spare tire sitting directly on the gas tank and trunk carpet material?
The board typically went under the trunk mat material.
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: J_Speegle on August 14, 2022, 11:26:44 PM
..... Is that original to the car or was the jack and jack handle under the spare tire sitting directly on the gas tank and trunk carpet material?

Want to explain which of the different trunk mats you thinking of using?  68 NJ had a few
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: dkknab on August 15, 2022, 03:04:56 PM
Thank you for the info and previous thread. I missed that one in my cursory search.

Attached is a picture of the mat I removed from my car and the replacement one showing my board.
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: Bob Gaines on August 15, 2022, 04:37:53 PM
What appears to be a original speckled mat will have value to the unrestored crowd. You may be surprised.
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: ruppstang on August 15, 2022, 08:57:11 PM
FYI the board goes under the mat.
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: dkknab on August 16, 2022, 09:46:10 PM
Thank you Marty.  I had the board out just to get a picture for posterity.

By the way are there any good pictures of the spare installed inside the trunk? I'm wondering because my spare sits at an angle resting on top of the gas tank.  Is that correct or should it not rest at all on the gas tank?
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: ruppstang on August 16, 2022, 10:34:09 PM
It should rest on the jack. Look at the jack instructions on the trunk lid, it shows how everything should be positioned. The purpose of the board is to protect the gas tank from the pressure of the tire on the jack.
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: wll17057 on May 05, 2024, 08:40:39 PM
Thanks to David Knab for the picture of the trunk board.

Although it's a minor detail, I want to install a trunk board in our 1968 Metuchen Coupe.  After reading some of the associated posts, the board was intended to protect the tank from the jack (?).  Can anyone tell me what the board was made of, and the dimensions?  I haven't found any in supplier websites and it seems easy enough to make.  I have the original trunk mat, and want to add the board. 

Thanks everyone.

Bill Leonard
1968 Metuchen Coupe
8T01T225520 / 65A U 2AA 31U 16 6 1
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: RoyceP on May 06, 2024, 11:09:14 AM
Thanks to David Knab for the picture of the trunk board.

Although it's a minor detail, I want to install a trunk board in our 1968 Metuchen Coupe.  After reading some of the associated posts, the board was intended to protect the tank from the jack (?).  Can anyone tell me what the board was made of, and the dimensions?  I haven't found any in supplier websites and it seems easy enough to make.  I have the original trunk mat, and want to add the board. 

Thanks everyone.

Bill Leonard
1968 Metuchen Coupe
8T01T225520 / 65A U 2AA 31U 16 6 1


The board appears to be made from scrap from the fabrication of the rear window filler board. I usually use originals, I don't have one to measure right now but it is around 10" by 12". The material is what I would call fiberboard, it is 1/4" thick and sold at any big box store or hardware store.
Title: Re: Spare Tire Trunk/Gas Tank Board
Post by: J_Speegle on May 06, 2024, 07:58:08 PM
Thanks to David Knab for the picture of the trunk board.

Although it's a minor detail, I want to install a trunk board in our 1968 Metuchen Coupe.  After reading some of the associated posts, the board was intended to protect the tank from the jack (?).  Can anyone tell me what the board was made of, and the dimensions?  I haven't found any in supplier websites and it seems easy enough to make.  I have the original trunk mat, and want to add the board. 

The board is what is know as press-board or Masonite. Basically saw dust with glue that is formed under pressure


Size of the boards differ depending on year. 68 uses the smaller boards - later in 69-70. Thickness of current Masonite sheets are thinner (big surprise - just like 2x4's are that size anymore either) so getting a good reproduction is very difficult.

Sorry don't have a 68 board around to measure.