Body Repairs: Under Deck Lid Panel

The under deck lid panel had been replaced at one time because the weather strip channel on the quarter panel did not match up with the one on the under deck lid panel.

Removal of the panel requires cutting/drilling the welds at the bottom of the quarter panels, the bottom of the tool tray, the deck lid latch bracket and the two braces that run from the tool tray to the edge of the panel. The panel is also attached to the upper quarter panel. The factory overlapped the panel to the quarter and then filled in the seam with lead. When removing the panel I was careful not to damage (any more than they already were) the places where the panel overlaps the quarter panel.

Under deck lid panels are available with and without bumper bracket cut outs. I ordered a new panel with the bumper bracket cut outs and, like all the other new parts, cleaned it with DX579 and primed it with DP 40 prior to installation.

Because this car was so hacked up, I couldn't get the panel to fit unless I left a gap where the panel attaches to the bottom of the tool tray. I thought it was more important to get the panel centered and matched up with the bottom of the fenders. I'll worry about the gap later.

Once the panel fit as well as it could, I tack welded it to the flaps on the quarter panel. Before I could do the final welding, the wheel wells had to be repaired so this section will be finished later.

EMS: http://www.emsautomotive.com

Bob Drake: http://www.bobdrake.com

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