Tips for lining up panels...order of operations

[TexasRoadRunner68]

Long story short, I have a 68 charger and will basically be doing the entire back of the car aside from rails. I have the trunk out and will be welding in braces to replace the rear crossmember. I was thinking to replace the trunk next. However, it seems most guys use the inner wheelhouses to help place the pan. My inner wheelhouses are rusty, and I want to go to the 3” extended AMD inners. I can butcher a set of regular amd inners, patch the ones in the car and center the trunk and assemble around it....and then cut them out for the tubs later. Or is there a better way?

After the trunk is in, then dropoffs, and quarters/Dutchman and tail panel?

 

[BAFRAID]

I recently replaced the entire rear end of my 69 Super Bee. I started with the passenger quarter and worked my way around. While the tail panel was out I was able to lay the entire trunk panel in And add the extensions. I also replaced wheel tubs, tail panel, Dutchman panel(along with the three small pieces that make up the lower corners of the rear window). The advice to me was to get the trunk floor in solid and use it as a guide. Lightly tack, cleco clip or Use self tapPing screws to put things in place and get them lined up before final weld. LOTS OF TIME REMOVING AND REALIGNING PANELS.

 

[69 MBee]

View attachment 1014769 View attachment 1014768 View attachment 1014770 View attachment 1014767 View attachment 1014766 View attachment 1014765 View attachment 1014764 View attachment 1014763 View attachment 1014762 I recently replaced the entire rear end of my 69 Super Bee. I started with the passenger quarter and worked my way around. While the tail panel was out I was able to lay the entire trunk panel in And add the extensions. I also replaced wheel tubs, tail panel, Dutchman panel(along with the three small pieces that make up the lower corners of the rear window). The advice to me was to get the trunk floor in solid and use it as a guide. Lightly tack, cleco clip or Use self tapPing screws to put things in place and get them lined up before final weld. LOTS OF TIME REMOVING AND REALIGNING PANELS.

Don't forget to fit the quarter extension before you weld. Highly over looked area for fitment.

 

[TexasRoadRunner68]

I have watched a ton of Chris Birdsong. I already have a ton of Tek screws. I get the impression you can weld the trunk and dropoffs in, but to screw in everything else so you can adjust for rear valance fitment.

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

You are correct about trunk n drop offs,it helps to stiffing the rear area n keeping it aligned,make sure your doors are on to get proper alignment of quarters n door gap n body lines,n yes the rear quarter extensions,you mite have to cut lower rear quarter seam n bend it back to get proper fitment.I seen n read on other charger projects where this is a concern of either partial or full quarters not being long enough in this area n im talking about AMD replacement quarters

 

[TexasRoadRunner68]

You are correct about trunk n drop offs,it helps to stiffing the rear area n keeping it aligned,make sure your doors are on to get proper alignment of quarters n door gap n body lines,n yes the rear quarter extensions,you mite have to cut lower rear quarter seam n bend it back to get proper fitment.I seen n read on other charger projects where this is a concern of either partial or full quarters not being long enough in this area n im talking about AMD replacement quarters

Per Birdsong, and that guy knows his stuff, AMD skins are a touch short.

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

Idont know if he suggest of having rear bumper attach to get the proper alignment of rear quarter gap n angle,

 

[BAFRAID]

While it is important to get things lined up and check the door gaps and all of that also remember these cars did not come from the factory in perfect condition. Door gaps and trunk gaps were not perfect. There’s been many times during my restoration I get so caught up in having to make it absolutely perfect it almost becomes irritating and I lose interest. Get the car back together. get it as good as you can and drive it and have fun.

 

[Don selleck]

put new door hinge pins in first, made a difference with mine, the tek screws are the ****, screwed mine together complete first, assembled the front fenders hood, trunk, installed window chrome also using 1/2" osb shims under to account for the glass and seal. doing this will allow adjustment of the quarters at the door pillars so you can keep the gap at the fender,door,hood area close. rear bumper installed helps too for rear valence reveal, tailights and rear chrome too, i made some adjustments after the fact on those(before paint), the more parts back on the car for fitment anyway before paint is a OH ****! saver after its painted. theres alot of complete builds, by some guys that know there stuff on this site where you can reference and then make it your own for what you want out of it, read read read. good luck.