69 Camaro DSE Mini-Tub problem

[WildBillyT]

Hi guys, long time lurker here.

I bought a clapped out '69 Camaro a few years ago and have just recently found some time to dedicate to it. When I bought it it needed a new floor, rear frame rails, trunk pan, basically all the sheet metal except for the roof. While I am replacing the quarter panels I decided to install some mini-tubs to make room for more tire. I've got a 30A plasma cutter, oxy/ace torches, Millermatic 175, cleko fasteners, basically everything I need to get it done. Things were going great until I test fit the tub in place and found this:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

As I hope you can see from the pictures, the trunk support (which is supposed to be welded to the top of the inner wheelhouse) is hanging too low to allow me to get the tub up and in to place. I thought the car might have had major body sag (when I bought it I had to do a LOT of alignment and measurement since some parts of it were sagged already) but no dice- that trunk support bracket measures 29" off of the ground just like the side I haven't messed with yet.

Any ideas? For what it's worth, the trunk lid springs are still in place and the leaf springs are still in the car. I don't think I need to pull the leaf springs since I'm doing this with the quarter off...

[marty69212]

the stock trunk hinge support does not fit... they have to be modified, shortened top fit with a mini tub !!!.. cut it back off your mini tub, install your mini tub, then modify and shorten your trunk hinge support to fit... also did you brace the metal that holds your trunk weatherstip on the sides and front of the trunk before you cut off your quarter? if not these pieces may have sagged when you removed the quarter panel

[WildBillyT]

Thanks Marty. I scrounged around on web last night and saw some stuff on Super Chevy's website that says the same. I didn't think to shorten that piece since it didn't mention it in the directions, but I'm glad I've got the solution now.

Sadly, when I bought the car the quarters were not really on to begin with (and the inner wheelhouse was rusted through) so the metal was already sagged. I've got a Fisher body manual so hopefully I can correct the damage that has been done in that case without too much trouble.

[WildBillyT]

Just an update-

I emailed DSE to see if there are updated instructions and there certainly are!

The new PDF doesn't look anything like the old doc I had stored away with the tubs.