PATCH PANELS

[Hydrive53]

Have you thought about finding a wagon in a recycle yard and have them cut out the rear Taillight area from one that may have little to no rust, and put that on you car. Just a thought, I don't want to sound like a smarty pants!! The guy's in the Dairy Land club have told me of a ok wagon that they have seen out in a S.D. yard. They saved a good over-drive out of this one. And it was a 54. floors not good on this one.

[Jim Benjaminson]

Have you tried R/Car or the Plymouth Doctor?  Both advertise in the Plymouth Bulletin.

[John Hendricks]

If u can find the steel, replacing panels is fairly easy.  If I can learn anyone can.  For the tools u need an aircompressor and a trip to harbor freight for a cut off tool, metal cutting shears, and an angle grinder, an d the wheels that go with them.  their auto darkening helmet for $49 works like a champ.  I have been replacing a lot of panels on a 72 T*****A Land Cruiser that I bought new in 72.  Just keep the children and the dog out of the shop when u weld as MIG welders put out a lot of UV rays.  Also wear long sleeves and long gloves, and DON'T try to run a bead-just go zap and move a couple of inches and go zap again and so forth, then come back and split the difference again and again until u are done.  I haven't warped any panelswith that method

[ROO5147]

thanks David for the input. I have some skills but with a 2 year old little boy running around my patience is very lacking.   :)

[David Pollock]

Some years ago, I made lower quarter panels for both sides of a 54 Plymouth with a sheet of good steel cut out of the roof of a VW bus.  Japanese steel is poor in comparison.  Using a hammer and dolly and a few other rudimentary tools, it was possible to make the required shapes then I gas welded them into place mostly under the moulding where the main body has a sharp enough crimp to avoid warpage.  With a modern wire feed welder, this would have been an easier job.  The only repair panels I am aware of for the 54s are the rocker panels but the replacements are so light that it is better to have a sheet metal shop bend them up for you.  All it really takes, if you are of average skills , is patience.

[ROO5147]

i HAVE A 54 BELVEDERE 2 DOOR WAGON AND LOOKING FOR FLOOR PANS AND POSSIBLE PATCH PANELS FOR BELOW TAIL LIGHTS. CAN ANYONE GIVE ME DIRECTION PLEASE?