69 Charger quarter extension gap

[mopar4don]

Here are my measurements left to right to the center of the screw.. The outer the tip of the tape was into the pocket where the dutchman and quarter meet.
L-29 3/8"
29 3/4"
30 1/8"
C-30 3/8"
30 1/16"
29 11/16"
R-29 5/16"
Same way to edge of molding.
L-30"
C-31"
R-30"

From what I can tell I am right there with your dimensions.
The other thing to consider is your numbers are coming from an original deck filler panel
my numbers are from a AMD panel and I know my drivers side gap (deck lid to deck filler) is tighter than pass side

 

[mopar4don]

So, here is what I have found.....

My deck lid lip overhangs the metal by a consistent 1/4 inch and when I put the chrome trim on, and lay a straight edge across the lip of the deck lid, I find that the trim is slightly in from the lip (1/16 - 1/8)

So this pic show left side because my trim is slightly bent on the right side and I could not get good measurements.
The two small pieces of tape mark where the screws are that hold the trim.
The outer screw hole was welded up but the eye brow trim is holding it tight against the metal.

Starting at the left

straight edge is touching the trim and lip so right here it is in line

In about 8" over the screw holding down the trim

here you can see the lip is overhanging the trim

And in another 8" right over the screw

And here again you can tell that the lip is overhanging the trim

So, here is what I am thinking.........
To get this problem resolved, whether or not my tail panel is positioned in the right spot or not (I think that overall I am close) I think I need to massage the metal under the extensions closing the gap.

Now how to go about that......... I am gonna have to think on that..... which is where I will need some more help!

What do you guys think?

 

[RT68440]

It looks like you're on the right track Don. The relationship of the deck lid lip to the trim looks fine. I'd say that you're correct on wanting to work the area under the extensions....it's hard to know exactly what needs to be done where without seeing it in person and messing with it...

 

[mopar4don]

While looking at my problem I noticed something.
These first 3 pics shows the before.........

This pic shows the straightness of the top edge of the deck lid, and how that straight line continues right across the extension

this pic shows that the outer edge looks good

While looking at the extension I noticed that I could rock it inward
I rocked it by pushing down low, which opened up the top corner about 3/16

when I rock it down, the extension lines up better along the lip of the deck lid

another angle showing the alignment to the lip

so if I were to keep this orientation and move the lower edge of the quarter about 3/16 forward it would close the gap at the top and maintain that straight edge along the top of the deck lid lip

This may not completely close the gap from underneath the extension, but it should help

The down side is when looking at that edge from the side of the car it will angle twords the front of the car. Right now it is plumb (straight up and down)


Thoughts????

 

[xs-ivv]

Could u slit the top of the quarter and move it towards the extension? It would be nice to see a pic just like your last one. From the side but with no yellow tape.

 

[mopar4don]

Could u slit the top of the quarter and move it towards the extension? It would be nice to see a pic just like your last one. From the side but with no yellow tape.

xs,
If I did that then I would loose the straightness along the top.
(The scribed line here is me laying out were I will slit the metal)

this straightness would be maintained by silting it along the outer vertical edge of the quarter

 

[xs-ivv]

Oh I see it now.

 

[xs-ivv]

I think that trimmimg the bottom might cause other issues. Do you have or can you borrow a different pair of extensions?

 

[mopar4don]

Oh I see it now.

:thumbsup

I think that trimmimg the bottom might cause other issues. Do you have or can you borrow a different pair of extensions?

What other issues?
I have 3 sets now!

 

[xs-ivv]

Wouldnt it leave more of the top of the bumper exposed? Also might look slightly off from the side view. I am just spit balling, its hard to tell from pics. My car is in pieces unfortunately so i cant look at mine to help. Your car is looking great and with this attention to detail it will all work out. I find that a few hours of thought can save alot of time in the long run.

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

Before doing the slice,could you not tack weld a round piece of metal n grind it to the shape of gap.Just a thought??

 

[mopar4don]

Wouldnt it leave more of the top of the bumper exposed? Also might look slightly off from the side view. I am just spit balling, its hard to tell from pics. My car is in pieces unfortunately so i cant look at mine to help. Your car is looking great and with this attention to detail it will all work out. I find that a few hours of thought can save alot of time in the long run.

I appreciate the input, and your right, more of the top of the bumper would be exposed but this seemed like the best option. Not sure if it would be noticeable from the side?

More opinions needed.
CALLING ALL MOPAR METAL MAGICIANS

 

[mopar4don]

Before doing the slice,could you not tack weld a round piece of metal n grind it to the shape of gap.Just a thought??

Hey Steven,
I thought of doing that (welding in some tig rod) but thought it would not look right. I have about a 1/4" gap to fill

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

Have you ever worked with the fibre glass in a can,I call it marglass.You could place some on the extensions n mould it to fit the gap n save the slicing

 

[pnora]

I can see that working on the left side. But the right side looks like a 1/4 step at the top. I cant see that working on the right side.

 

[mopar4don]

Have you ever worked with the fibre glass in a can,I call it marglass.You could place some on the extensions n mould it to fit the gap n save the slicing

Never done that

I can see that working on the left side. But the right side looks like a 1/4 step at the top. I cant see that working on the right side.

Any suggestions?

 

[pnora]

Never done that


Any suggestions?

Lots to think about. You chopped and cut a lot of that car. Not in a bad way. You might want to fit doors, front fenders and hood. Reason is if there is an area of concern you can find it now. You would hate to make mods now and find out later it was a waste of time. Just something to think of. Take a break and move to other areas. If good then you have decisions to make on fitting the rear. If the rest is good the rear may not be as bad to correct as it seems.

 

[mopar4don]

Lots to think about. You chopped and cut a lot of that car. Not in a bad way. You might want to fit doors, front fenders and hood. Reason is if there is an area of concern you can find it now. You would hate to make mods now and find out later it was a waste of time. Just something to think of. Take a break and move to other areas. If good then you have decisions to make on fitting the rear. If the rest is good the rear may not be as bad to correct as it seems.

I think you make a very good point. I was planning on doing just that. While I'm working on other areas I can be mulling this over
Thank you

 

[pnora]

I think you make a very good point. I was planning on doing just that. While I'm working on other areas I can be mulling this over
Thank you

Some times a breath of fresh air opens the mind. We get to focused on one aspect and forget about all the rest that play into the whole picture. Been there done that. We run like a horse with blinders on and fail to see the obvious. Body work no different than mechanical.

 

[eldubb440]

as already been mentioned......without being there, I'd say you either welded the tail light panel on without having the trunk lid and extensions mocked up....... Or the new metal simply needs to be modified in some manner

when I build the back of a B body the FIRST thing I do is bolt on the trunk lid, lined up with the original dutchman, quarters, and tail light panel. I set it up as close to perfect as possible........ with trunk lid in place and bolts tight, it stays there during the entire process..... the trunk lid is kind of a fixture, you can almost dispose of any tape measure at this point.

now the dutchman, quarters, and tail light panel can be removed....... bring the new sheet metal to the trunk lid. the lid will tell you everything you need to know

mock everything up with screws, bolt on the quarter extensions where they need to be

the trunk lid will dictate the position of the extensions....... at this point putting a couple slices in the new sheet metal is not un common....... even AMD stuff seems to be hit and miss...... I go into these jobs expecting to slice and dice; and never weld them up without mocking it all up as a unit