reattaching the taillight housings

[Debnw]

I've had to remove the tail light housings from the skin to clean them up and replace the individual lights. I drilled out the rivets that held them in. Is there a special rivet to resucure them back since there isnt a hole... the rivet goes thru. I attached a pic of the backside showing the rivet holes and the finished lights.

[Tom Nugler]

The taillight bezels were originally riveted from the inside. The repair manual says the rivets are to be sheared off by a putty knife pushed between the shell and the bezel.
Your description and photos seem to indicate this has already been done since it looks like there are 5 or 6 holes drilled around the edge of the taillight housing.
Just clean everything up really well and use long reach 1/2-3/4 1/8th inch aluminum pop rivets with a thin bead of sealer, Tempro (Vulkem), Sikaflex, ect. around the edge of the bezel.
If you have the fiber optic lead for the taillight monitor don’t forget to pull it into the grommet in the housing before putting everything back together.

Good Luck,
Tom.

[Debnw]

Tom, thanks... I was thinking that aluminum rivets would be the answer. I'll pick them up tomorrow. DO you think I should add some additional rivets? one side was replaced by PO and had 3x the number of rivets than the other light.
Bruce

[Tom Nugler]

The phrase, “First, Do No Harm.” comes to mind. I wouldn’t add additional rivets without cause.
Every hole is a future potential leak. The ‘70s trailers already have enough rear end water issues.
I’d hold the taillight bezel up against the shell to see if there are any large gaps. Maybe ¼ inch or more. If you think the gap could be closed up by pulling the skin closer then add another rivet.
If not, just fill in the existing holes with new rivets and sealer and call the job done.

Tom.

[Debnw]

Tom,
Yea... my thought also.. just had to ask because the PO had repair work done and that light has 2x the rivet holes. WHen I put it in place I see why... the additional rivets are needed to close the gaps.
I'll take a couple of pics during the install... (pics worth thousand words)so folks can see what you described.
Have a Great Weekend....unseasonably warm 60s here in Northern Ky.