'70 Challenger AMD Rear valance fitment

[erik70rt]

Has anyone ever had a fitment problem with the AMD rear valance.  I test fit mine last night and it was about 1/4" to 1/2" short where it meets the lower 1/4.  I can see that some 1/4 work had been done somewhere in the car's lifetime, and I want to see if there is a possible issue with the valance before I go ripping the lower 1/4s off.

Thanks!

[Cuda Cody]

There's a couple ways to fix that if the car is already painted, but I have not had any issues with AMD valances.  But I also fit them during metal work so that might be part of it.   Can you post a photo of where it's not lining up?  What was done to the quarters?

[erik70rt]

The lower quarters were patched.  I have some pics from the inside where you can see the seams.  I decided to change the rear valance because a previous owner riveted a fiberglass panel over the original one.  Now I am starting to understand why.  They also filled up the seams with filler.  If I had to guess what was done by the evidence I have, the lower 1/4 patches were not installed correctly and they "made it work" with the fiberglass/filler. 

[Shane Kelley]

Let's see the issue from the outside that your having problems with. Like Cody said. If we see it we might be able to come up with a solution. While I haven't used a AMD rear valance on a Challenger I have on my 71 Road Runner and I was amazed how good fit. But when I build cars I do what Cody does and fit the panels during bodywork.

[rhamson]

I replaced my rear valance with an AMD rear replacement part and while it was not simple it did take some massaging. TBT the former owner of my car had replaced the driver side quarter panel with a skin and I had patched in a small lower piece on the passengers side. It took some hammer and dolly work but it came out fine. My problem was that the valance was too long and needed shortening. If yours is short you may be able to lengthen the crease by flattening it out a bit. Here is a picture of what I encountered. Good luck. 

[Chaos-N-Mayhem]

I just got my AMD valance the other day and should be fitting it up soon. I'll try to do some photos if I can.

[Cuda Cody]

erik70rt looking at the way they did the patch I would guess they did not test fit the rear valance and that might be the issue.  I hate pointing the finger at anyone, so lets just try to figure out a way to fix it now.  Can you take some photos of the problem area and exact how short you are?

[Brads70]

I bought a new AMD valance and it fit almost perfect. My quarters are original if that helps?

[erik70rt]

Not trying to point fingers at anyone.  If it looked that way, my apologies.

Here are some pics.  You can see how far off the bolt holes are on the top, and the gap in the lower 1/4s.

[Cuda Cody]

You might get some of that to close up with some clamps, but not knowing how they painted the car and if there is a lot of plastic filler it might be a risk to clamp it very hard.  Plastic filler is great when used right, but if they put a lot in the lower section of the quarter it might crack if you try to clamp it.  You can use a shrinker / stretcher to get the contour of the valance right, but getting an 1/2 inch out of it by clamping it could be hard.

[ksierens]

I had problems with the fitment of mine too, but it was at the top where it blended into the quarter.  I ended up slitting it to pull it out and welding it.  I also used filler across both the valance and quarters to have it blend.  The holes for the support brackets were also way off.

[erik70rt]

Getting the old panel back from the shop this week to look at differences and maybe put it back on in the short term until I'm ready to deal with reworking the 1/4s.  I would rather get the car back on the road for the rest of the summer, then deal with it as a winter project.

[rhamson]

  If you can live with it that is what I would do. The quarter panel on the drivers side may be a patch panel or some creative dolly work that put it out of specs. My valance fit a lot better than what you have there and your fitment of the new piece may need some extended down time.

[Shane Kelley]

Getting the old panel back from the shop this week to look at differences and maybe put it back on in the short term until I'm ready to deal with reworking the 1/4s.  I would rather get the car back on the road for the rest of the summer, then deal with it as a winter project.

  Looks like a can worms right there.

[RUNCHARGER]

Yes: Put the old one back on. This is leading to quarters/inners/paint etc.