Front lower panel replacement advice T3 1988

[Danban94]

Hi all, I am going to cut out my front lower panel (the one holding the bottom grill) on my T3 1988 to replace it due to rust damage.

Has anyone done this before, any recommendations?

The top and bottom looks pretty simple with plug welds, but not sure on how to weld the sides. Is it simply going down the seams putting butt welds along and then grind down?

Thanks in advance!

[davidoft1]

You can get a mig torch in through the indicator holes, seam weld the top to the corner , the panels don’t line up some note how far the panels step back from each other , I bond the bottom edge, prime and paint the lower panel then key up for panel bond , put enough on that it can squeeze out the tidy up with a thinners soaked rag, prime everything then paint

[Danban94]

Thanks so much for the response! Interested on the reason for panel bond at the bottom. Is this simply to avoid future rust?