68 GTX Project

[rakort]

ok dutchman rough fit up to the old quarters that are coming out later. Of course it was too long like they all are and I cut the quarters to make some room. Fits fairly well now. Now I wonder, when I bring in the new quarters will they need to be cut back, or will the dutchman need to be cut back, or neither?

 

[eldubb440]

ok dutchman rough fit up to the old quarters that are coming out later. Of course it was too long like they all are and I cut the quarters to make some room. Fits fairly well now. Now I wonder, when I bring in the new quarters will they need to be cut back, or will the dutchman need to be cut back, or neither?

the width of the trunk lid will dictate everything

 

[rakort]

the width of the trunk lid will dictate everything

good call, somewhere in this process soon, I'm bringing in the truck lid.

 

[eldubb440]

it is a must, id screw that dutchman down and test fit it with the lid in place

 

[threewood]

I don't know why they don't fix this issue. Mine was about 1/8" to 5/32" long on the trunk side. Project is looking good!

 

[69 GTX]

Also test fit your window & trim. I welded & filled my seams, just to add a little strength, since it'll see the strip.

 

[eldubb440]

Also test fit your window & trim.

yes.... absolutely! can't believe I left that out

 

[rakort]

Now the rust hole is almost totally devoid of rust and patch panels are made. Good day! Now off to fit the patch panels....man I spend a lot of time in the trunk! I also cut off the old quarter panel edges and tack welded the flanges back on to get the dutchman panel to fit right (at least to the old quarters) .... trying to keep as many as the oem panels in place as I go so I don't screw up all the fits.

Getting close to a whole *** end mock up before I burn a bunch of wire.

 

[rakort]

Anatomy of a lower rear window rot hole.

All fit, ready to weld it back together

 

[69 GTX]

Looking good there. They are a real pain. Just time consuming more than difficult.

 

[Glenwood]

quite the jigsaw puzzle, I don't know how you guys do it. Looking good!

 

[rakort]

Interesting exercise.....mocked in the rear window and the trunk lid.....everything is looking good ish except for the center of the dutchman panel. The center is high as was revealed by both the rear window and the trunk lid....tweaking is necessary. Also regarding the lower edge window trim....do they all have a fitment issue as they approach the corner? Seems like the curve as it approaches the corner is too much or does that all resolve itself when you snap it down in that area?

 

[rakort]

ok dutchman beat session done (it got ugly more than once).

Good news, in the end, everything fits a whole bunch better!

So I went ahead and carefully cut out the lower rear window frame, cleaned up the package tray, and am preparing for a few minor patches to the package tray. The new lower window frame at first blush seems to fit pretty well.

 

[69 GTX]

Looking good.

 

[Sixtynine_Bird]

Nice job here! This is a lot of big work you are going through and you're doing great!
Keep up with the great work

 

[rakort]

Some recent updates with pixs of the rear wheel house re-installs. Preparing for phase II of leveling the supporting frame with assistance of a laser level. I'm going to epoxy 7/16 threaded rod to the floor so i can secure and level the frame before welding in the rear frame section.

 

[rakort]

Progress, the frame is back home for the moment!

OK how do I get the full piece trunk floor pan in there? I saw one dude slip it in from underneath the lower trunk filler panel?

 

[69 GTX]

I removed the rear lower panel the trunk lid sits in. From what I see in your pictures that'll only be a few spot welds to remove.

 

[rakort]

I removed the rear lower panel the trunk lid sits in. From what I see in your pictures that'll only be a few spot welds to remove

thanks, that is where I am heading. At first I was trying to keep that filler piece in there as long as possible for alignment reasons, but its time to come out.

 

[rakort]

hrmmm, fits right in there. What did I do wrong? I like the trunk pan look, feels like I am getting somewhere!