Would a '71 back end fit on a '73?

[j_essika]

Neither are Tii. I found a heavily damage '71 (front damage only) in my area and I was wondering if the back end will fit on my '73. I need the entire back end replaced, including trunk. My local mechanic told me that the parts would be nearly impossible to find to fix the back end of mine so I'm wondering if this could be an option for a replacement piece.

Here is mine: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/car/180992005.html

Here is the one I am looking at for parts: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/car/180184116.html

Please let me know if you have any idea if this would work.

[jerry]

yes....

it looks like the damage is above the bumper primarily. that suggests that below the bumper would be a point of reference.

it were my car, i'd spend an afternoon with a jack, rubber mallet etc., and see just how far i could straighten it first. a coworker once told me about a muscle car he straightened that had the trunk smashed all the way to the rear windshield. and no, he didn't slather it with bondo. the photo looked really good.

[Guest]

I had no problem with my '67 mating up to '72.

[Vashon2002]

Would work without a problem, but I would go to Northwest Auto wrecking at the south end of Boeing field - they have a few 02's and should be able to get what you need without the whole car ( the green one - the guy wants $700 +/-). If you get the green one - give me a holler - I might be interested is some parts. I have a couple of early trunks, possible decent rear panel( would need to check) and am located on Vashon.

[j_essika]

Cool, I just called them and they are open from 8:30 -1:30 on Saturday so i'll check that out this weekend. Thanks!

[j_essika]

I'll try this over the weekend if I can get a mallet and a place to do it. Certainly can't do any additional damage giving this a try. Thanks!

[Guest]

If you need a rear trunk lid or hood, I have a real nice one I need to get rid of.

[j_essika]

If you need a rear trunk lid or hood, I have a real nice one I need to get rid of.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. I'm going to try pounding out some of the damage this weekend just to see if thats a possibility, but because some of the metal is broken by the rear taillight I will probably end up replacing.

[BarryA]

yes....

it looks like the damage is above the bumper primarily. that suggests that below the bumper would be a point of reference.

it were my car, i'd spend an afternoon with a jack, rubber mallet etc., and see just how far i could straighten it first. a coworker once told me about a muscle car he straightened that had the trunk smashed all the way to the rear windshield. and no, he didn't slather it with bondo. the photo looked really good.

hydraulic jacking tool (Harbor Freight has a 4 ton for $99 - part # 44899-5VGA) and push as much damage out as possible. Pounding on sheet metal causes further stretching damage beyond that which occured in the collision and makes it that much more difficult to get the shapes back where they should be. You'll probably do the bulk of your work using the closing panel between the wheel wells and the step in the trunk floor (down to the gas tank and spare tire well) to push off of, so have a selection of different length 2x4's available to spread the load out on that end.

You might want to consider picking up a replacement trunk lid, get it mounted to the hinges and aligned to the base of the back window, then work on pushing the rear panel back into alignment with the trunk lid. The rear panel is only a single sheet of metal - I'll bet you'll be surprised how quickly it comes back into shape.......