Rear quarter panel assembly

[lidflipr]

Im going to remove the left rear quarter panel on my 65 coupe. The panel has some cancer and a shoddy attempt of a dent fix from last owner. The metal is pitted and waved that I rather replace then bondo.
Any words of wisdom before I start to drill out the spot welds and melt out the lead.
Tony

 

[GaPonyFarm]

Don't change out the entire quarter panel, unless you absolutely must! There are several different patch panels and a full skin that will allow you to more easily keep the original fit. Removing the original QP and getting a replacement to fit properly is pretty difficult.

 

[HistoricMustang]

I am with GaPonyFarm...............change only what you need. Usually the upper panel is OK. Do you have a specific problem up top?

I cut mine about halfway up to repair the lower half.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[Ronstang]

I have done both full panels and partials and the results definitely depend up on your skills. If you are new to sheetmetal replacement then a partial panel is probably the best bet unless you are confident you have the skills to do the whole panel.

 

[lidflipr]

I purchased quarter panel skin from CJ Mustangs. Here is the problem, the area above the wheel well has a wave in it and has been banged out, there is an area of about 3"X4" behind lowwer rear well that is cancer and the rear of the panel by the tail lights from top to bottom is pitted and waved.
I am mecanical and just replaced the rear taillight panel and rear crossmember, I know small compared to the q/p. There is to much metal damage to try or want to repair with filler. I can weld as long as I have a grider handy . Just thought I would ask for some tips before I tried this swap.

 

[hgufrin]

Cleaner to replace full quarter panel?

I have neither replaced a skin nor full quarter panel. but the end result for someone like me (a novice with body work...still a little mechanically inclined)...

wouldn't the full replacement look better than the skin? with the welding, grinding, and filler isn't there a greater chance of flaws than there would be if you replaced the entire thing once you get it to fit?

and if anyone has advice, can you give me a snapshot of what makes the fit so tough? what needs to be tweaked or is it that the lips (where the panel meets the base of the roof - where the lead work takes place) need to be altered.

or will the full panel look completely warped when installed. can someone give me a small description of what may go wrong?

it just so happens that tonight was the night that I was going to remove my entire quarter panel but reading the previous responses has made me wonder...

1966 Mustang coupe