Finally started working on the '68 again this past weekend. Needing rear frame rails and trunk floor has been a major hurdle. I finally came up with a plan that I am confident in.
I blocked the rear end to the shock crossmember and removed the shackles to relieve any stress on the rails. The rear tail panel is good, but the valence and crossmember were both shot. The frame rails had 26" removed. I pulled everything out in one piece so I can maintain reference measurements. You can just see the ends of the square tubing that spans from the trunk hinge plates to the tail panel and a crossbar with vertical measurements down to the tops of the frame. I will get the frames tacked in, rear crossmember located and rear valence test fit, then remove the panels, finalize the frame, slip in the 1 piece trunk floor, then reinstall the crossmember and tailpanel and massage them all together.
I still need to get our the rest of the bad trunk panel, but then it is on to blasting all the mate and/or hidden areas and getting welding.
Yes, that is a trailer light connector in the middle of the tail panel... I kind of like it now. Maybe I'll just put a new one in there. I'm having the hitch powdercoated and I'll be reinstalling it as well.
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