1973 Cuda Tail light panel swap to 1970 Question

[kodiac]

Guys,
I’ve been working on the back end of my 73. I’m converting the bumper to the 72 setup and want the 1970 taillight panel. It’s tore down to the point where I can do this IF it’s fairly straightforward. I’m replacing the rear frame rails and cross support, trunk floor so while I’m there…I figure if I’m going to do it now’s the time.
Has anyone done this and if so what should I expect on a difficulty level of 1-10. I can mig weld and have a plasma cutter but I’m a backyard mechanic at best.
Much grass. Thx.

 

[rklein71]

I would say replacing the tail panel is considerably easier than what you are already doing.

 

[kodiac]

Dude, you don’t know the 1/2 of it. It’s one of those situations where it starts with one thing and then it leads to this which leads to that etc. I know I’m preaching to the choir on this.
From what I can see it appears that I’ll be dealing with plug welds on the top left and right, hood latch brace and along the lower panel where it meets the frame rail cross brace. The rest of the panel has seam sealer between it and the rear quarter panel. Does that sound right?

 

[Challenger RTA]

Dude, you don’t know the 1/2 of it.

I think rklein71 and there are a number of members here understand what you are doing.

With out going into a detailed explanation. I would remove the tail panel and use the 1/4 holes for the the 70 panel. Put one or the other tail panels back on and mark it. ( making it removable.) Then proceed replacing the other parts. the tail panel being last welded and the 1/4 area resealed only. Other member can elaborate.

The rest of the panel has seam sealer between it and the rear quarter panel.

If your going into an area where seem sealer is, it will have to be removed. picture of the areas in question or unusual would help.

 

[kodiac]

This the area I suspect is not welded but has seam sealer applied.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Ok that's what I thought you were talking about, it explains it better.

rklein71 Has been there done that.​

 

[rklein71]

The hardest part of the tail panel install was lying in the huge Cuda trunk and welding the tail panel and quarter panel flanges together.

 

[kodiac]

Ok. After seeing your pic and comparing to some of mine I think I got it. There’s also a guy who’s got a very good video on YouTube who did this job I found last night. Thx again. I’ll post my conversion in case anyone’s interested down the road.