'69 Tail light housing...how best to repair/reinstall?

[1966DDart]

I've just been given a 1969 27' Overland International with one catch...I have to go get it! I'm located in Ohio and it's in Virginia (just outside of DC). Went up last weekend to visit my uncle (the one giving it to me) and we went out and looked it over, so I could start preparing for the trip. I plan to take a week off in a month or so, go through the bearings and brakes, install new tires and wheels, and check all the wiring/lights. The one big item I could use some help with though, is figuring out how to reattach the left rear tail light assembly. It seems as if the studs that hold the housing to the trailer have all broke/popped off. I'm attaching a picture of where the housing goes...I'm not sure WHY I didn't get a picture of the housing but, I didn't.

Does anyone have suggestions on how best to reattach the housing? I'm almost thinking that I'll need to pull an interior panel to access the backside, then drill/tap the housing and attach it using screws from the inside. Has anyone ever had this problem before? I'm open to all ideas and suggestions!

Thanks in advance!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by 1966DDart

I've just been given a 1969 27' Overland International with one catch...I have to go get it! I'm located in Ohio and it's in Virginia (just outside of DC). Went up last weekend to visit my uncle (the one giving it to me) and we went out and looked it over, so I could start preparing for the trip. I plan to take a week off in a month or so, go through the bearings and brakes, install new tires and wheels, and check all the wiring/lights. The one big item I could use some help with though, is figuring out how to reattach the left rear tail light assembly. It seems as if the studs that hold the housing to the trailer have all broke/popped off. I'm attaching a picture of where the housing goes...I'm not sure WHY I didn't get a picture of the housing but, I didn't.

Does anyone have suggestions on how best to reattach the housing? I'm almost thinking that I'll need to pull an interior panel to access the backside, then drill/tap the housing and attach it using screws from the inside. Has anyone ever had this problem before? I'm open to all ideas and suggestions!

Thanks in advance!

You can reinstall that bezel with 4 screws.

Insert the screws in each corner, in the hollowed out section.

Keep your towing speed down because of the rubber rods in the axles, that only last about 25 years.

When those rods go bad, the trailer settles down closer to the ground which kills the soft ride that an Airstream must have.

Andy

[Aerowood]

The housing was originally riveted from the back using pop rivets installed in blind holes. To reinstall the stock way the inner skin will need to be removed. I brought mine home using tempory lights clamped to the bumper.