Lap Joint to Butt Joint Conversion?

[Dr G]

Hello,

I have a 1956 F100 with sort of a Shop Truck / PT thing going on (I'm not sure what to call it).

As part of some work done by a 3rd party, the rear fenders were widened app. 1.5 inches. This was done by grafting four fenders together, two per side. The seam is via a stitch welded lap joint.

I would prefer this to be a butt joint, and am wondering how to go about this. Assuming it can be done at all.

I read a magazine article once where they welded in new floor panels by cutting them about 1 inch oversize, tack welding them in place, then cutting through the middle of the overlap portion with a cut-off wheel. About 8 inches at a time. This created a butt joint that could then be tack welded, and subsequently welded completely, once the process had worked around the entire patch.

This might be a lot of work, granted, but I am thinking to try the same procedure on my rear fenders. I am wondering if any folks here have some ideas or words of wisdom.

Thanks,

Gustave