Need pics on how to remove Tailight end caps from quarter panels!

hey guys I was just wondering about how hard it would be to remove the endcaps (around taillights) of the quarter panels on my 1970 EB. IF anyone has pics of this removal, I would greatly appreciate it. Mine are swiss cheesed (somewhat) and I'm trying to decide if I want to repair them or replace them.
Thanks
Bronco Ben

Ben,

I don't have any pics, but I can tell you this would not be a simple job for most people. The tail light housings are spot welded in to the upper quarter/bedrail, lower quarter, wheel house floor extension, and lower support brace.

Last week I had a pair that were to nice to scrap with the rest of the tub, so I just took a plasma cutter and removed them by cutting into the quarter and floor sections.

IMO, you need to decide weather to fix them on the vehicle or junk them. If you junk them, cut them away from the adjoining seam by cutting on the side of the tail light housing. You will then need to drill and grind at the spot welds to remove them from the other panels.

FWIW, another member here on CB was interested in the ones I just took off since the repros he just bought were junk according to him (I have not seen or tried the repros, but have heard the same elsewhere). With that said, make sure the ones you have really need replaced. It would suck to go to all the effort to find out that the ones you replace them with aren't what you expected.

thanks for the info, weeps told me a few weeks back that he had those same pieces. I'm still not sure if I should try to fix the ones I have or get better used ones. I did remember other people saying that the repros werent all that great. I'll try to get some pics of mine and let the experts here tell me what they think, that would be better than me trying to decide! thanks
Bronco Ben

Ben,

Are yours bad on the bottom part, where dirt and water has rusted them out over the years? If so, I have the same problem on my '77. I cut out a good set from another Bronco and I'm gonna measure mine up above the bad spots and cut. I am gonna graft the good bottoms onto my '77 uppers that are in good shape. Just a thought. I thought about replacing mine , but have heard so many bad things about the reproductions, and not being able to find a good attaching point to weld on the new ones. Just a thought . Let me know where yours are bad, and if I can find you some good corners, I will.

Good Luck,

Blue71

the bottems are one area but If I remember correctly the middle (on the sides) are rusty as well, pin holes I believe. I'm sure a good body man could fix em up but I'm no body man. I can mig in old spot welds and stuff but I cant spread body filler for nothing! I'll try and post some pics tonight or tomorrow. Tomorrow should be a good day to work on my EB, since my oldest son (9) will be with me and Its rainy out anyways! thanks
Ben

Bronco Ben said:

the bottems are one area but If I remember correctly the middle (on the sides) are rusty as well, pin holes I believe. I'm sure a good body man could fix em up but I'm no body man. I can mig in old spot welds and stuff but I cant spread body filler for nothing! I'll try and post some pics tonight or tomorrow. Tomorrow should be a good day to work on my EB, since my oldest son (9) will be with me and Its rainy out anyways! thanks
Ben

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Practice! Filler is easy, it just may take a long time to get it how you'd like. The real skill is getting it done right AND quick (which I still can't like I want to) :-[

Cutting our bad sectons and flush patching in new metal with a MIG can be fun IMO. Then you can blend the welds and skim with filler to smooth it out and tehn sand smooth. Eliminating all pinholes and fetherer edges is also a trick. If you're dong a nice paint job, use of proper sealers and high build primers will help alot.