rear aluminum hatch panel

[luey2011]

questions on how you guys attached your rear hatch panel. Im following the manual , however it seems that if you rivet and carpet the panel, you would not be able to service the tail lights, license plate lights etc? is there a way to make it removable?

[Namrups]

I have riveted mine in place with a limited number of rivets and only let the carpet lay on that edge with out gluing it down. To remove the panel I can lift the edge of the carpet and drill out a few rivets.

[Ted G]

I used rivnuts into the fiberglass and attached the plate with ss button-head screws. I also polished it with stripes to match the underside paint stripes. I think it looks pretty good and is functional.

211881

211884

211885

[edwardb]

questions on how you guys attached your rear hatch panel. Im following the manual , however it seems that if you rivet and carpet the panel, you would not be able to service the tail lights, license plate lights etc? is there a way to make it removable?

Mine is attached permanently and carpeted. Although I did make the mounting hidden at the top. I didn't want visible rivets. I decided I could reach up between the body and that rear hatch panel to unscrew the mounting bolts on the lights and then service them from the outside. Tight but I think possible. Time will tell whether that was a good idea or not. So far so good...


I used rivnuts into the fiberglass and attached the plate with ss button-head screws. I also polished it with stripes to match the underside paint stripes. I think it looks pretty good and is functional.

Looks nice. But the question is about the Coupe.

[JohnK]

Just a general thought from me on making panels "removable". Having spent considerable effort installing rivnuts on panels I wanted to be able to remove down the road, I wouldn't do that again. Aluminum rivets are ridiculously easy to drill out, and FAR easier to remove than if a rivnut comes loose and spins and you have to somehow cut the screw head off the screw to get the panel off. I'd just rivet them in place (make sure you place them in positions that you can get a drill onto later) and drill out rivets if needed later on.

[JimStone]

I made rivnut'ed access panels to get at the taillights, rearview camera and the charcoal canister I put back there. Will cover with vinyl/carpet held by velcro

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=211519&d=1742168060

[luey2011]

I have riveted mine in place with a limited number of rivets and only let the carpet lay on that edge with out gluing it down. To remove the panel I can lift the edge of the carpet and drill out a few rivets.

Hey Scott, did you rivet the top of the panel to the body, or just rivet the bottom to the floor?

[Namrups]

Both, but only 4 rivets across the top. For others reading this post keep in mind that the bodies have changed slightly since the early units. Paul stated that he is able to reach up from the bottom, around the gas tank, to the lights. On later units like mine (#393) the back roll pan extends fruther under the car which makes it impossibe to reach up into that area.

[edwardb]

Both, but only 4 rivets across the top. For others reading this post keep in mind that the bodies have changed slightly since the early units. Paul stated that he is able to reach up from the bottom, around the gas tank, to the lights. On later units like mine (#393) the back roll pan extends fruther under the car which makes it impossibe to reach up into that area.

Bummer. :p

[Namrups]

I guess getting one of the earlier chassis is not such a bad idea afterall! :D

[luey2011]

Both, but only 4 rivets across the top. For others reading this post keep in mind that the bodies have changed slightly since the early units. Paul stated that he is able to reach up from the bottom, around the gas tank, to the lights. On later units like mine (#393) the back roll pan extends fruther under the car which makes it impossibe to reach up into that area.


this is exactly what I am running into. I cant get access to the back of the panel from underneath the body, as it extends further down to the gas tank. I have no support to drill through the panel and the body on the top side to attach it.

[burchfieldb]

All,
For those who are interested, I have added this access panel to my site. You will have to cut a hole, rivet the back panel in, which has threaded inserts, and then screw on the door with no 6 screws. https://snakebitemotorworks.com/products/access-panel-kit

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=212098&d=1743646645

[Namrups]

this is exactly what I am running into. I cant get access to the back of the panel from underneath the body, as it extends further down to the gas tank. I have no support to drill through the panel and the body on the top side to attach it.

I used a sheet metal screw below the body edge where I wanted to attach the panel to the body. I was able to hold the panel in place with the screw while drilling the body/panel. The screw gets removed and the hole gets covered by carpet.

[luey2011]

I used a sheet metal screw below the body edge where I wanted to attach the panel to the body. I was able to hold the panel in place with the screw while drilling the body/panel. The screw gets removed and the hole gets covered by carpet.

this is exactly what I was thinking about trying! im going to give it a shot. thanks!

[csmith]

I used a sheet metal screw below the body edge where I wanted to attach the panel to the body. I was able to hold the panel in place with the screw while drilling the body/panel. The screw gets removed and the hole gets covered by carpet.

Any chance you could share a picture of this? Checked your build thread and didn’t see one. I just attached to the chassis only, and have it resting against the inside of the body while I contemplate life choices.