In trunk brackets / taillight panel

[Vinnie]

Hey guys,

While test fitting my TL panel I wondered about how to put in the brackets. Do they go onto the panel all the way like this:

Or pulled back a bit (so the lip sits in the thickened trunk floor) like this:

The old ones were put in the latter way but I suspect that to be wrong...

Cheers!

Vincent.

 

[NOT A T5]

They go all the way back against the tail light panel.

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

You might need to grind the bottom corner off so it sits down when back against the tail light panel.

Couple pics that show some of it. Shows how Ford put lots of seam sealer around the brackets.

 

[jdomke1]

Mine don’t sit flat so I’m guessing I need to grind down the new trunk pan so the two match up. I didn’t consider this when I welded in the taillight panel. I just lined up along the bottom and made sure the weatherstrip channels lined up. I guess that’s part of the learning experience. I’ve got other issues but I really don’t want to remove the panel now it’s welded in. My right quarter panel top is now to close to the trunk lid. I’m dealing with a car I bought that was apparently rear ended and the PO did a good job of bondo’ing to make it look right. There’s damage under the panel extension so I’m buying that part to weld in. Maybe while there I can adjust the gap once I remove those weld in that upper right area of my taillight panel to get the new piece in. Ideas?

 

[Vinnie]

Mine don’t sit flat so I’m guessing I need to grind down the new trunk pan so the two match up. I didn’t consider this when I welded in the taillight panel. I just lined up along the bottom and made sure the weatherstrip channels lined up. I guess that’s part of the learning experience. I’ve got other issues but I really don’t want to remove the panel now it’s welded in. My right quarter panel top is now to close to the trunk lid. I’m dealing with a car I bought that was apparently rear ended and the PO did a good job of bondo’ing to make it look right. There’s damage under the panel extension so I’m buying that part to weld in. Maybe while there I can adjust the gap once I remove those weld in that upper right area of my taillight panel to get the new piece in. Ideas?

I found my gap on the other side too small (nearly touched the lid) and ended up making a 4-5" cut in the top of the quarter, close to the lid and after welding I have a much better gap.

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

If it is a Ford part will have Autolite on it I think. They made the twist off and the 73 caps say Motorcraft.

 

[jdomke1]

I finally found a detailed diagram in the Body Assembly Manual. My taillight panel was about 1/4” lower than the pan. I just manipulated the brackets until they fit. Not sure why the gap. I set the panel in matching the weatherstrip track. It’s good now.