Removing Tail Panel

[1969VADart]

So as I am beginning to remove the damaged body sections on the back of this car, I have a number of questions. The most important is based on these couple of pictures, where should I be looking for the spot welds that hold the tail panel on? I noticed in looking for replacement parts, there is a filler strip that joins the tail panel to the trunk. I assume that is on the bottom of the panel. I will also be replacing that damaged trunk gutter on the passenger side of the car. Is it best to drill out the spot welds, or should I look to grind them down? I am no body man so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[rklein71]

My 71 Barracuda, you can see the small filler pieces on each side if you blow up the picture. Rod

 

[1969VADart]

View attachment 36569 My 71 Barracuda, you can see the small filler pieces on each side if you blow up the picture. Rod

That pic definitely helps. What part are all of those spot welds across the bottom attached to, the obvious wider panel or the small tail to trunk filler. Here are a couple of pics for reference. The first is the small filler. The second is the wider panel and extensions that can be seen. I am unclear where the narrow filler goes.

 

[rklein71]

The spot welds on the bottom are on a lip from the trunk floor. I guess the Challenger has a filler panel. My tail panel before I welded it in.

 

[rklein71]

Another pic of the trunk floor and cross

member.

 

[rklein71]

Another pic.

 

[Steve340]

You should drill out the spot welds. I believe the Eastwood company does a special drill for the job.

 

[1969VADart]

Those pics are a big help. Thanks.

 

[js29]

The best tool in my experience is A blare bit. center punch the weld,use A 1/8 drill bit on the center. I try not to drill all the way through, than take the blare bit and drill down until the teeth disappear. you will then be through the first layer.

 

[rklein71]

This is the style of spot welder cutter I found worked best. The Harbor Freight style that looks like a hole saw are junk, they break so fast.
spot weld cutter 5/16 | eBay

 

[mpdlawdog]

I found it easier to find the spot welds by sanding down to the metal....this is my first time doing this....or any body work for that matter! Mine is a 72 challenger...there is a filler panel that goes below the panel...it just screws to it fyi...

 

[1969VADart]

I found it easier to find the spot welds by sanding down to the metal....this is my first time doing this....or any body work for that matter! Mine is a 72 challenger...there is a filler panel that goes below the panel...it just screws to it fyi...

View attachment 36600

Good info. Any chance you can share a few photos of the back of your car as you were drilling out spot welds? Would be very valuable since we are working on the same car. Is the filler you are talking about a narrow strip or are you referring to the one you can obviously see behind where the bumper mounts?

 

[rklein71]

My trunk floor was toast, so I ended up taking a sawzall to most of it and separated the remaining lip on the tail panel on a work bench. I don't have any pictures of that.

 

[quapman]

Look for the dimples that the spot welder left behind. I use the Horrible Freight cutter and get dozens of holes per bit. The secret(?) is to go slow. I use the low speed on my cordless drill and as stated by someone else, drill a spot/dimple first to guide the tip.

 

[1969VADart]

Thanks quapman. Sent you a PM by the way.

 

[Steve340]

Use of a little cutting oil to lube the bit will help it last longer. The aerosol ones work pretty good. Also try to remove any rust with a scotchbrite disc it helps show up the dimples and the rust is quite abrasive to the cutting tool.