Gremlin rear panel repairs

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   Some time in the past my 1974 Gremlin has had a fairly decent hit in the rear:

I'd like some suggestions on how best to tackle the repair? I'm in Australia so Gremlin parts don't exactly grow on trees.

This bit obviously comes off fairly easily, so with any luck I can get one shipped out from the US otherwise I will have to try to straighten it out:

I have this earlier model which could give up some parts, maybe the whole rear panel with the tail lights and fuel filler in it:

Just need to work out the best way to take the rear ends apart:

I have drilled out the spot welds across the very bottom of the lower rear panel, but the ends fold in and appear to be spot welded together, so there really is no access to drill out those welds. Things seem to be assembled in double and triple layers, so no real access from behind to help beat it back into shape. 

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WesternRed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Aug/03/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 5799	Post Options Post Reply Quote WesternRed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Gremlin rear panel repairs Posted: Jun/16/2019 at 6:55am
	Some time in the past my 1974 Gremlin has had a fairly decent hit in the rear: I'd like some suggestions on how best to tackle the repair? I'm in Australia so Gremlin parts don't exactly grow on trees. This bit obviously comes off fairly easily, so with any luck I can get one shipped out from the US otherwise I will have to try to straighten it out: I have this earlier model which could give up some parts, maybe the whole rear panel with the tail lights and fuel filler in it: Just need to work out the best way to take the rear ends apart: I have drilled out the spot welds across the very bottom of the lower rear panel, but the ends fold in and appear to be spot welded together, so there really is no access to drill out those welds. Things seem to be assembled in double and triple layers, so no real access from behind to help beat it back into shape.
	I've finally given up drinking for good...........now I only drink for evil.

mixed up Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jun/16/2015 Location: Monroe mich Status: Offline Points: 2177	Post Options Post Reply Quote mixed up Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun/17/2019 at 12:01am
	if you have a welder weld a couple of tab to the body to attach a come along to and pull it out I have done that many times
	69 amx 290 auto 65 220 290 4spd 80 ford fairmont

WesternRed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Aug/03/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 5799	Post Options Post Reply Quote WesternRed Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Aug/04/2019 at 5:11pm
	Discovered that I had a seam splitting tool on hand: Between that, a screwdriver and 1 mm cutting disc on the grinder, I managed to get this far:
	I've finally given up drinking for good...........now I only drink for evil.

mixed up Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jun/16/2015 Location: Monroe mich Status: Offline Points: 2177	Post Options Post Reply Quote mixed up Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug/04/2019 at 9:53pm
	awesome thats the way you do it less work in the long run
	69 amx 290 auto 65 220 290 4spd 80 ford fairmont

BrotherBamc Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jan/22/2009 Location: Lewiston Status: Offline Points: 2248	Post Options Post Reply Quote BrotherBamc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug/05/2019 at 1:07pm
	Looks like you got a great start. You going to pound the old one out or try and use the other Gremlin tail panel...?? Never seen a Gremlin with it's butt missing before.
	77 CJ5 360 73 Gremlin 401 4 speed 2006 Dodge Magnum R/T AWD My Garage