Question about installing new tail light panel

[scherp69]

I started to install my new tail light panel today. I can get the side gaps to where I'm happy, but the trunk to tail light panel gap is quite big. I don't mind welding in some rod if I have to, but this seems to be almost too big. I've tried moving the trunk lid around and readjusting the quarters and tail light panel, but if I move things too much, the contour between the trunk lid and the quarters gets worse. Nothing is welded into place yet so can always move things around still. What do you guys think?

Trunk lid on, but no tail light panel

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1000603-1.jpg

Passenger side gap

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1000609-1.jpg

Driver side gap

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1000610-1.jpg

Trunk/tail light panel gap. It's about 1/2". When I shut the trunk, the rubber stoppers are hitting the stop areas, although not dead center

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1000608-1.jpg

[mikey]

I would try raising up your trunk floor it might have sagged down a little. Put a jack with a decent length board across the rear and see if that helps any. When ou weld it to the 1/4s it will help hold the floor up.

[scherp69]

Thanks for the tip mikey. I'm glad I stopped last night when I did and posted this question on the forums. I think I have it to where I will be happy.

Nothing like persuading 42 year old sheet metal with couple pieces of 3x8, a piece of 2x6 and a floor jack and then putting in some sheetmetal screws to hold everything in place

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1000611-1.jpg

I got the gap a little closer. It's at about 1/4" now. I can live with that. In the end I might still weld on a piece of rod to bring it a little closer. The bump stops also hit the right spot now :D:D

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1000612-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1000613-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/P1000614-1.jpg

[mikey]

Your'e welcome for the advice a shorter piece of wood would most likely just pushed up the center. I'm glad you realized what I mean't when you used the longer boards.