83 targa rear shelf - window gap

[Bbruins72]

I have owned my 83 911 targa for about 3 years and have tackled a few projects lately that have annoyed me. One is the speakers in the car, removed the awful 6x9 in rear deck (I know these are not stock). Went to add shallower speakers to fix the rear deck gap from the window. As I have tried to put the shelf back in it will not go flush, a gap still exist. My fear is the prior speakers caused the deck to warp and sitting flush will never happen, or can someone tell me if it is suppose to be this way, or am I not pushing hard enough to get it fully installed and sitting flush under rear window?

[86 911 Targa]

Is the clip firmly engaged to the slot on the body?

[Bbruins72]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Is the clip firmly engaged to the slot on the body?

Yes it is, dosnt seem to matter clipped or not the top part still looks the same. Should the deck fit better or is this gap normal? Seems like it should fit better, it looks awful.

[86 911 Targa]

If you can feel resistance when pulling outward on the shelf,
then the shelf is attached.

The next thing to check is the speaker depth compared
to the factory speakers.

I have replaced the speakers in ou '86 twice without any issues.

I'll get back to you with the speakers mfg and, model #'s.

Gerry

[86 911 Targa]

^^^^^
Here is what I used.

However, please be advised that due to the
lack of rear baffling, good fidelity can be difficult
to achieve.

Good luck,

Gerry

[Mark Salvetti]

Just looking through the speaker hole, the entire shelf looks way too high. Is the bottom of the shelf down by the folding seat backs all the way down?

For speakers, you could try these Infinity: Rear Speaker Installation

Mark

[Bbruins72]

I appreciate the input. As of now I am trying to reinstall the piece and get it to fit correct without speakers. I have a set of retros to drop in the whole and they will fit the depth allowed.
But I dont want to install them prior to getting this thing installed and looking better. Does the shelf fit under the inside lip of the window? Does it just touch the back section. As you can see from the picture mine dosnt sit flat even with no speakers in it. Targa owners how flat is your rear deck to the inside window? Any pictures to compare to mine?

[Bbruins72]

Originally Posted by Mark Salvetti

Just looking through the speaker hole, the entire shelf looks way too high. Is the bottom of the shelf down by the folding seat backs all the way down?

For speakers, you could try these Infinity: Rear Speaker Installation

Mark

I am pretty sure its all the way down, middle clip is set. It does rest on top of the side window trim. Not sure if thats normal?

[86 911 Targa]

Yes, it fits under the bottom lip of the window seal.

Mark has a good point.
The shelf does have a tendency to bow out
if not fitted properly at the bottom.

I'll try to get some pics of ours tomorrow.

Gerry

[Jack Stands]

Mine does the same thing, but certainly isn’t the way it should lay down.

[J-Gel]

I'm having some serious lift on the sides (same on passenger side). The center seems to be tucked nicely where it should be however.






My speakers are definitely not low profile, installed 20 yrs ago, have other high priority items to tend to first, but will most likely be swapping those out in time. Unsure if the bowing is due to the speakers or age / shelf rebuild quality

_________
'83 911SC Targa

[Bbruins72]

Great comparision pictures. In my case I do think the previous owners speakers that were installed for many many years were much to tall and warped and deck. Maybe the same with yours? Mine does not sit into the window seal at all-all around and has a raised profile. J - Do you have a tall piece of foam along the back window edge of the deck. I do and Iam considering cutting it in half to lower the foams height and maybe get the deck to fit again.

[Chriskv]

Great comparison in pictures

[J-Gel]

Originally Posted by Bbruins72

J - Do you have a tall piece of foam along the back window edge of the deck. I do and Iam considering cutting it in half to lower the foams height and maybe get the deck to fit again.

I don't seem to have anything visible in between the back edge of the shelf and the window, all I can see is the leather wrapping around the back of the shelf, and a pretty neat fit right at the bottom of the glass, but nothing holding it there from the top or back, anything securing it must be attached from beneath.

I can't speak to the foam piece you see, I don't have experience removing or installing this shelf myself, but it sounds like it could be keeping the shelf from settling in properly? I would be interested to hear other input on this..

[86 911 Targa]

^^^^^
For our 86 Targa.

There was a slight bump in the middle
which has been smoothed out.
Gerry

[Bbruins72]

Gerry great pictures to validate my thoughts, thank you. I thought it should sit under that lip along the inside of the window seal. Not sure if mine will ever get back to that shape or position. From what I understand, the only pieces holding it in place are the hook in the center back rest and the 2 screws on the sides of the back rest. The top of the shelf just gets wedged into that window seal area, correct?

[Mark Salvetti]

I just bought a mint replacement parcel shelf for my 1979. Here is the underside. The dense foam strip across the back is 1-5/8” thick. In 1979 there were no speaker grills, only perforations in the vinyl. Measuring down through a perforation I get 2.5 inches until I hit the rubber mat sound deadening.



Mark

[Bbruins72]

Mark, thanks for that picture, that same foam piece on mine seems to be blocking the deck from fitting in. Or the deck is no longer the correct shape to go back in? Until seeing your picture I thought the foam was added and not stock.

[Mark Salvetti]

I have a feeling that your deck is warped somehow. If you were to measure down through the speaker hole, how far is it down to the body?

Mark

[Bbruins72]

Originally Posted by Mark Salvetti

I have a feeling that your deck is warped somehow. If you were to measure down through the speaker hole, how far is it down to the body?

Mark

Mark the center edge of speaker holes is about 1.5 inches from pad to the inside bottom of the shelf. The outter edges of speaker holes are about 1.75 inches.