How to Install a Mustang Glove Box Insert (1965–1966)
Installing a new Mustang glove box insert is one of the easiest interior jobs you’ll do on an early Mustang. It takes a handful of screws and a little patience.
I just put a fresh cardboard glove box insert in my 1966 Mustang. The original was worn, torn, and held together with staples. The process is identical on a 1965 Mustang, so this guide covers both years.
Below I’ll walk through the prep work, the one orientation mistake almost everyone makes, and how the insert hooks into the dash. I’ll also show a little trick I used to hide my stereo remote and phone charger inside the glove box.
Before You Install the Mustang Glove Box Insert
The new insert closes off everything behind the dash, so tidy that area up first. Once it’s in, you won’t want to pull it back out.
Here’s what I checked behind my glove box opening:
- Stereo wiring. My heavy-duty cable runs from the battery to the splitter for my stereo system. I made sure it was routed and secured.
- Bluetooth amp. My Bluetooth stereo amp is mounted solidly up under the dash, so nothing will rattle against the new cardboard.
- Defroster hoses. Both hoses are connected and clamped.
Replace the Glove Box Light Switch
While I had everything open, I also replaced the glove compartment light switch. My original was busted and didn’t work at all.
The replacement is inexpensive and simple. It’s a single-wire switch with the little light bulb right on the tip, and it just punches into place.
Grab a Matching Screw Kit
I also picked up a new screw kit so everything matches what came out. You can often buy one along with your glove box insert kit.
Which Way Does the Mustang Glove Box Insert Go?
The wider end goes to the top, not the bottom. This is the part that trips people up.
Your first instinct is to hold the box with the wide end down, like a bucket. That’s backwards. The taller end goes up and the shorter end goes down.
You can double-check by finding the small clear plastic window on the insert. That window lines up with the glove box light bulb so it can shine through.
How to Install the Mustang Glove Box Insert
- Pinch the sides together. Gently collapse the sides of the insert so it fits through the opening.
- Wiggle it into place. Work it in slowly. It’s cardboard, so it isn’t very sturdy, and it’s easy to crease. I managed to beat mine up a little just by handling it too much.
- Get the tabs over the dash frame. The insert already has small metal tabs with holes for the screws. The cardboard tabs sit under the metal dash flanges, not on top of them.
- Line up the holes. Each screw goes down through the hole in the metal dash frame and then through the insert’s tab.
- Run the screws. Install the screws across the top first, then the side screws. Snug them up, but don’t crank on them and crush the cardboard.
That’s really all there is to it. Compared to most Mustang projects, this one went in pretty easily for a change.
Bonus: Hide Your Stereo Remote in the Glove Box
With the new insert in, I found a handy spot for my wired stereo remote. I’d been keeping it in the ashtray, which never looked right.
There’s a small gap in the cardboard on one side of the glove box. A magnet will hold the remote right there, and it stays put when the door tilts down.
I also routed my Bluetooth extension cable there, so I can charge my phone while streaming music. When I’m cruising, I just drop the door, start the music, and close it back up.
Volume, skip, and fast forward all work from my phone, so I rarely need to touch the remote. Everything stays hidden, and the dash keeps its original look.
I still need a phone mount. Once my center console is in, I’ll figure out where that goes.
Products Used in This Glove Box Install
As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a small commission for any purchases you might make. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support the garage.
Final Thoughts
A new Mustang glove box insert is one of the easier upgrades you’ll do on a 1965 or 1966 Mustang. Clean up behind the dash, put the wide end on top, and be gentle with the cardboard.
If your glove box light is dead, replace the switch while you’re in there. The window in the insert lets the bulb shine right through.
Working on the dash anyway? Check out how I handled upgrading the sound in a 1966 Mustang with a hidden Bluetooth setup.
