72RustBucket Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 So my tail panel needs to be replaced. I've done lots of searching on the forums for as much info as I could. I think I'm ready to tackle it. I've got some 20 and 18 cold rolled to play around with. I think if i do it in 2 pieces meeting in the middle it will be doable. I'm just making this thread to keep track of how it turns out. I wouldn't mind if anybody else had pictures of how they repaired their's for comparison...being that this isn't reproduced we gotta help each other out! I already made a quick rough template and I think it will work. I will update with any progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbigg Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Wow. I’ll be watching this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Peters Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Thomas, It will be interesting to follow your progress on this. You are right, this tailpiece is not reproduced. I think your hardest part to reproduce will be trunk weather strip lip. I do know some members have been able to acquire a tail piece from donor cars. You may want to try to see if any members have a donor car they could cut one out of, it would make your job much easier. rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbigg Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 I think you can use the Chevelle trunk weather strip lip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rancid87 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 I ended up buying a good used tail panel from AZchevs on Ebay. Mine was about as bad as yours(maybe a little worse or better in some areas). I used a 70 or 71 panel because that is what I could find but I have been able to make it work on my 72. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71MonteCarloMD Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 +1 to Steve as I bought Good used one from Jared Richey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72RustBucket Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 I'm having some fun. Not there yet but looking better and better. Going slow but I have enough steel for a few attempts. I've talked to Leo, and I'll cave if I think I have to. I think this can be done ! It just wont look exactly like factory but I don't think it needs to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72RustBucket Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 Well we will call that first one the practice patch lol. It actually went in extremely nice after cutting out that half of the original...but it turns out one of my bends was slightly off making the face of the panel a tiny bit taller. This wouldn't have been such a big except I already did the first few bends on piece number 2 and they are spot on with the original. So next thing to do will be cut another piece and bend it at the same time as the other, so I know I have identical bends. More to come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rancid87 Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 I had a lot of rust repair to do so it was worth it to me to find a good panel because it was one less thing I had to fix. I had actually started replacing the bottom flange when I saw the panel listed on ebay and bought it. My original plan was just to fix it with a bunch of patch panels though and then section a Chevelle tail panel for the weather strip area. It's a tricky panel to make because there is a lot going on and its long. I'd probably break it down into several pieces to make it more digestible. What gauge steel are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72RustBucket Posted January 11, 2020 Author Share Posted January 11, 2020 On 1/5/2020 at 9:54 PM, Rancid87 said: What gauge steel are you using? 20. I have a sheet of 18 but with the bends 20 is very sturdy . I started on attempts numbers 2 and 3 . Took my time and did everything to both pieces simultaneously to ensure they matched this time...they are identical enough for me now. They need to be trimmed a bit still before tacking in. Hope to get at least the one side in by Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Richey Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Looking good. I would graft in an aftermarket lip from the chevelle tail panel. Or you might can buy just the lip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72RustBucket Posted January 11, 2020 Author Share Posted January 11, 2020 1 minute ago, Jared Richey said: Looking good. I would graft in an aftermarket lip from the chevelle tail panel. Or you might can buy just the lip I'm thinking for the trunk gutter, I may buy a set. Idk how good the goodmark or AMD set are, but beldenspeed.com has some as well if I just want the bottom section. They also list dimensions so I may try making those too...I've got plenty of sheetmetal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Richey Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Yea that's right B speed started making those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rancid87 Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 I've made the weather stripping gutters before using a shrinker/stretcher. They turned out nice but sometimes it makes more sense to just buy it if its available. Keep up the good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72RustBucket Posted January 13, 2020 Author Share Posted January 13, 2020 Well I spent the week slowly but surely making 2 identical pieces. Today drivers side went in. I think it's looking good! Definitely have some issues that I'll have to make sure to address. I'm thinking I might buy the lower section of the gutter from beldenspeed.com. that way I can line it up with remaining gutter(upper half should be salvageable) and then know where additional patches should go. It may not look exactly stock but it will still look good! Let me know what you think! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbigg Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Looking good man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rancid87 Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Looks trick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72RustBucket Posted January 15, 2020 Author Share Posted January 15, 2020 Last night I trimmed the passenger side and got it clamped in. Waiting to tack til I have a second set of eyes and hands lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420ponies Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 I think you've done this type of work before. Lookin' good. You've got quite the project there. I was lucky enough to find good piece in Illinois when I was doing mine. Awesome job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rancid87 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Put the taillight extensions on if you can and close the trunk lid. Looking great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72RustBucket Posted January 15, 2020 Author Share Posted January 15, 2020 1 hour ago, 420ponies said: I think you've done this type of work before. Lookin' good. You've got quite the project there. I was lucky enough to find good piece in Illinois when I was doing mine. Awesome job! I took auto body repair my last 2 years of high school. I also work maintenance in an industrial setting so I'm around fabrication a decent amount, just never much on cars! I actually got my first 72 summer before senior year. Drove it around all summer til it locked up. Pulled the motor and took it to body shop class. Found way more work to do than what was able to get finished, and I graduated with a shell of a car lol. Sold that one and bought this one from a member here. The only fab I did on that car that I still have is the numbers. I deleted the license plate recess in the front and had them rechromed. I'll have to dig them out and clean them up for a pic. 35 minutes ago, Rancid87 said: Put the taillight extensions on if you can and close the trunk lid. Looking great! This is a great idea! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72RustBucket Posted January 19, 2020 Author Share Posted January 19, 2020 Tail light extensions on., cant put bumper on until its tacked, but I think it looks good. Measures the same on mirrored sides, so I should be even. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rancid87 Posted January 19, 2020 Share Posted January 19, 2020 Looks good! I'd get that truck lined up and latched close to how you will want it just to make sure it all works. It looks very nice though. Good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72RustBucket Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 Passengers side is in. I think it looks good! Still have to put the bumper on, but it looks ok holding it up. Waiting to clean the welds/ re weld until I've got the lower trunk gutter. Want to make sure I don't need to re do anything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rancid87 Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 Looks nice! Will you be putting the 72 molding on the back or are you deleting it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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