Work on Tail light panel **LAST UPDATE**

Ok here is an update.

First thing I did was take a lot of pictures, and measurement.

I then used a paint and rust remover wheel to remove all of the Bondo and expose the metal.

That’s where I found the Swiss cheese on my trunk corners. :s

What is the best way to fix these? I know replacements are not available!!

The next warm day I have I will remove the trunk floor pan. (More pictures to follow)

Since you're taking this on yourself, you might consider taking some of the 'good' sheet metal left in the factory taillight panel and replacing the bad spots on the trunk extensions. It looks like the bad stuff is in a relatively easy area to repair.

Just a thought.

the old tail panel light is all Bondo, and rot under the bondo.

I have some sheet metal, I will try to fabricate one and see how it comes out.

over the years I have removed almost all of the bondo filled panels on this car, the drivers side door is the last piece left.

Oh no - I was suggesting getting a new taillight panel, and using the old one as a donor for the small sheet metal scraps you'd need to repair the bad areas on the trailing edges of the trunk surrounds.

Wasn't suggesting trying to actually fabricate a taillight panel. But if you do and have success, you da man!

Oh no - I was suggesting getting a new taillight panel, and using the old one as a donor for the small sheet metal scraps you'd need to repair the bad areas on the trailing edges of the trunk surrounds.

Wasn't suggesting trying to actually fabricate a taillight panel. But if you do and have success, you da man!

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LOL... I do have a new tail light panel, and also the full trunk floor pan (now is the time to replace it)

its just the corner trunk parts I need to fabricate, what I ment was the sheet metal on the old tail light panel is all bad.

but I could use the area where the gasket was to fabricate the new trunk corners, its already stamped to the right shape.

also "Q" pointed out to me in a pervious post that the repop panels have larger light openings then the original panel, he was right, but not as bad as I expected, its about 1/8" on 2 sides, which while test fitting the lights, I was able to split the difference and it didnt look bad.

To fix mine, I had the guys at the junkyard cut off about the last foot or so of the quarters through the taillight panel from the car I harvested the front clip, deconstructed the corners to get the trunk surround corners, and swapped with the bad spots on the car. The passenger side was the bad one - I still have the driver side. If it'll help you, I can send it... otherwise, on the scrap heap it goes.







They did manage to cut the pieces just short of what I needed... but that's OK. Test fitting the replacement piece



Welded in after 'blasting



I was able to make an 'extension' for the weatherstrip channel from a flat piece leftover from something else.





That's how mine went. Didn't mean to hijack the thread with all my pictures.

Hope this helps - I know you'll do fine. I think mine came out OK - and if I can do it, anyone can.

I took Mister 4x4 advice and used the old tail light panel to repair the Rotted corners.

I cut the top part off that had te weather stripping channel.

it looks great!!

I test fit the panel and looks like it worked!!!

now this upcomming weekend I will remove the trunk floor pan.

AWESOME!! You came up with a GREAT solution to that - I was thinking of taking some of the flat sheet metal that was still good and bending it into shape, but your idea was WAY better (I'd forgotten about the weatherstrip channel on the taillight panel itself)! Lookin' SWEET! Can't wait to see it all back together! ::thumb::

Nice work Iyman

Looking good.

I trust you'll change the full trunk floor prior to zipping up the taillight panel.

I trust you'll change the full trunk floor prior to zipping up the taillight panel.

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yes, thats why I haven't changed the floor yet, I have been waiting fo the day I changed out the light panel out.

Nice!. I have a spare tail light housing if you need one. I am not sure what shape it is in but I can go look.

Nice!. I have a spare tail light housing if you need one. I am not sure what shape it is in but I can go look.

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My wife just ordered new housing on Sunday they should be in tomorrow, I had one tab broken, so she orderd both.

I took them apart last night and cleaned them up (they already look 100% better), I will polish the metal tonight, and re paint the black.

Nice!. I have a spare tail light housing if you need one. I am not sure what shape it is in but I can go look.

Click to expand...

My wife just ordered new housing on Sunday they should be in tomorrow, I had one tab broken, so she orderd both.

I took them apart last night and cleaned them up (they already look 100% better), I will polish the metal tonight, and re paint the black.

Click to expand...

Scott aka "Qcode351mach" has a good video for restoring 71-3 tail lights.

Definitely worth a look.

Ray

Nice!. I have a spare tail light housing if you need one. I am not sure what shape it is in but I can go look.

Click to expand...

My wife just ordered new housing on Sunday they should be in tomorrow, I had one tab broken, so she orderd both.

I took them apart last night and cleaned them up (they already look 100% better), I will polish the metal tonight, and re paint the black.

Click to expand...

Scott aka "Qcode351mach" has a good video for restoring 71-3 tail lights.

Definitely worth a look.

Ray

Click to expand...

Ray,

my son and I watched his videos, and we followed it step by step.

"Q's" got some great informational videos.

I have the new trunk floor pan in, it looks really good, I just need to flatten a few of the welds down to make them invisable.

my frame rails were like new inside, no rust (I was very suprised!!)

the rear of the car was at onetime hit in the rear pritty good, and who ever fixed it, cut the center section of the rear crossmember, and welded in a sheet metal peice.

we had to spend about 1/2 a day fabricating a new one (sorry, I didn't take pictures of that my phone died. but it is very solid, better that the original.

Looks good bud

Looks good! I bet you feel like your making great progress.