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Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:16 pm

I have to repair the package tray in my 70 sedan, the P.O. cut out the rust and welded in a section from a bus floor. He just kind of layed it on top, without getting a very good fit (you can see daylight in some places).
I bought a replacement panel from MAM and I was wondering if I should save as much of the old panel as I can and patch it with a section of the new panel or just drill out all the old spot welds and replace the whole thing. Opinions? Thanks

Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:58 pm

I'd keep the new panel in one piece . IMO it's easier to just drill the spot welds out and spot in the new panel....looks alot better to when finished .

Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:52 pm

Hello Danpa,

I recently replaced the package tray on my 67 bug. I would definitely do it in one piece-- much easier. You may have to hammer/dolly to the new one (I sure did) to get it to fit properly. Taking the entire thing out also gives you a chance to clean up the inner wheel wells, etc. before welding the new one in. Be sure to seam seal both sides after you are done! 8)

Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:27 am

Thanks, I guess i got a little intimidated by the 300 or so spot welds :shock: that I had to drill out first, but I picked up one of those Blair spotweld cutters and it cuts them fairly easily.

Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:29 pm

You will be a spot weld cutting pro by the time you are done! I also picked up the blair cutters and they are nice.

Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:39 pm

I just hope I'm a plug weld pro by the time I get the package tray, rear crossmembers, heater channels, front firewall, floor pans, rear apron, and front clip welded on! Oh, and by the way, for the midwest, this is a pretty rust free car.

Dan

Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:26 pm

Sounds like a fun project! I know the rust issues as I grew up in Ohio :( but all these rides are getting up in the years now. Definitely invest in a good welder if you do not have one. I screwed around with a campbell hausfeld for over a year until I forked out some cash for a hobart handler 140. A world of difference!

The Florida climate is not kind to cars either, but they rust in different ways. I finally finished the metal work on a 67 bug that was relatively rust free for down here, but still the package tray and most of the drip tray metal was MIA, along with the bottom of the A pillars, front fender walls, and of course the battery tray and a few other spots on the floor. The seals fry and crack in the sun and then the water (lots of it here) must find a way out somewhere.

Good luck and keep us posted!