I set out yesterday to fit and weld my lower rear quarter panel patch only to find that it looks like it isn't going to fit without some significant sectioning. When I line up the front (wheelwell) and bottom sections, the rear is about 1/2-3/4" too wide. I COULD cut and section it at the rear and probably get it to work. Also the flange along the bottom is about twice as wide as the original. Not a major concern since it can be trimmed back farely easily but I'm afraid to start bending/cutting to get the rear to fit before I know for sure that I'm not doing something wrong. I'd appreciate it if ya'll could take a look at my pictures and let me know if I'm missing something or if you could offer some advice. :scratch:

 

I think the bottom flange length is typical, to give you lots of extra metal for welding/grinding/whatever. Mber would be a better source of info on the other issue...it does look awfully off to me *shrug*
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Iolite Vaporiser

 

Back in the day I tried to get away with a couple different patch panels on my 'vert. I tried the lower door type, the lower fender type, and a couple others. NONE of them fit worth a darn. I ended up putting full skins or new panels in all those places to avoid the sectioning issues.

What your experiencing is the same thing "the pros" face when doing restorations... they just don't get to female dog about it The panels are garbage, it's up to you to make them work.

That 3rd picture makes things look really grim. You may have to trim the bottom off and bend a new lower flange to get that into the contour of the body.

 

Sorry, I did full skins. They did fit somewhat better than your pictures, but still required significant massaging. The extra length on the bottom lip is typical of all panels - easy trim there. As far as the overall length... well, that doesn't look good at all.

 

My patches fit alot better than those. Why doesn't the patch have the rear vertical flange that wraps around the rear?

I would have flanged the original quarter so that the patch just laid flush up on the quarter. Why did you flange the patch? Now you'll have to be extra sure you seal the trunkside, so it doesn't hold water.

Get a new patch, and start over. Prolly not what you wanted to hear. Sorry. I'll email you some pictures later of my patches.

 

"Why doesn't the patch have the rear vertical flange that wraps around the rear?"

I have no idea. The patch is just as it came. I haven't cut it at all yet. I also haven't flanged either piece yet but had already planned to flange the quarter side.

My quarter panel cut line is below the top of that patch. You can kind of see it in this picture.

 

That is mighty pooty. I wouldnt go NEAR that. I would shop around for a better patch, OR I would get a whole quarter before I try using that at all.

I live by my words too... I ordered a DIFFERENT torque box from CJ's instead of trying to make the NPD one fit.

 

This one is made by American Designers, which is supposed to be better than the cheap Taiwan pieces. I bought it from Ponderosa Matt last year.

 

What are the chances you got one for a different body style? U hav a vert? Maybe you got a coupe or fastback? That is, if there is a difference...

 

No diff on bodystyle at that point in the panel. At the top you have a variation between all 3, but not along the bottom like that.