Mk3 Trunk Alignment Issue - Please weigh in on my options

[TTimmy]

Howdy Folks,
I’m in the process of fitting my Mk3 body and am looking for input on how to best work out the trunk lid alignment. At this stage the windshield, doors and rollbars are fitted.

The main alignment issue is where the rear/bottom of the lids meets up with the body. It is about ⅜ inch off without the bulb seal behind it. It seems the bottom of the trunk needs to be forced outward or the body needs to be pulled in.

In order to pull in the body I would need to remove about ½ to ¾ from the aft portion of the trunk floor. Perhaps a bit on the sides too. My thought is then the quickjack hardware and trunk latch sleeve could be used to draw the body forward. I’m not sure I can safely get that much movement out of the body.

Note that the rear corner of the rear aluminum piece does not sit flush with the ¾ tube that runs across the car. That is probably the ½ to ¾ difference I am looking for. I only recently noticed this.

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[rich grsc]

Yes, the body needs to be pulled in with the quick jack/body mount bolts. I like to start at the top, front of the trunk, fitting the corners then work my way down.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Pretty much what Rich said. First though, based on your photos showing the leading edge of the trunk lid (hinge end) it needs to move rearward. Leave the body mounted end of the hinges where they are and move the lid back on the hinges (might need to slot the holes). Once you do this it will reduce the "underbite" between the lid and rear valence below it but as you mentioned it might still require you to trim some aluminum to get the body to pull in to meet the lid. It also looks like the lid is a little proud of the body at the curve where it rolls downward. Taking some material from the lower edge of the lid will allow it to close down farther and reduce this.

Hope this all makes sense and good luck!

Jeff