'69 Tail lights.

[69AmbassFl]

I have a 69 Ambassador, recently aquired around a month ago. 2 weeks ago we had a good wind storm and a limb fell on the top of the rear end cap,curb side. Ouch! It wasted the center and curbside panels and blew the curb side tail light out. How are these attached to the body? What is used to seal them to the body? The actual tail light was replaced with generic lights by a PO. Are these still available assemblies?

[goransons]

I'm under the impression from other posts that those are riveted from the inside. From the sounds of it there is a lot of bucks in damage, did you report it to your insurance company?

[69AmbassFl]

Yes thats what I was afraid of. It looks to be riveted from the inside. As far as the insurance goes,trailer still in mother inlaws name. It needs the two panels it dented and really needs the whole end cap replaced from other repairs theat were done pulling dents out. I think I can actually do the job just need to find out what the panels are gonna cost. Thanks for the reply

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by 69AmbassFl

Yes thats what I was afraid of. It looks to be riveted from the inside. As far as the insurance goes,trailer still in mother inlaws name. It needs the two panels it dented and really needs the whole end cap replaced from other repairs theat were done pulling dents out. I think I can actually do the job just need to find out what the panels are gonna cost. Thanks for the reply

What panels?

Different panels have different costs.

Those costs range from $300.00 to almost $500.00.

Plus rivets, plus sealer, plus freight.

Tail lights can be replaced with Led's.

Andy

[69AmbassFl]

Andy,

I believe there are 5 panels across the rear top. The center and 2 on each side. These are the panels i need. As far as the lights go, what seals the housing to the body and it looks like something needs to go in the holes where the lights set? Big open area to let water in on the bottom of the frame. One other Question, what is the best way to order parts from you? E-Mail or Phone?
Thanks

John

[69AmbassFl]

Does anyone Have pics a 69 tail light assy taken apart so I can see what they are supposed to look like? I want to repair this one when I get to the back side so I don't have to do this removal again.

[CJ of Okla]

My husband is working on ours as we speak. He drilled the rivets out all around the oval shape that holds the 3 lights in. He said the light cans are rivited to the oval holder. Sorry not sure the correct name to call all these parts. I can take a picture when I get home tonight and email you tomorrow.

CJ

Originally Posted by 69AmbassFl

Does anyone Have pics a 69 tail light assy taken apart so I can see what they are supposed to look like? I want to repair this one when I get to the back side so I don't have to do this removal again.

[69AmbassFl]

Thanks CJ that would be wonderful

[CJ of Okla]

Camera is AWAL, we searched and searched couldn't find the digital camera. My hubby was the last to have it. He took the card out to have photos made. I have the card but no camera. James had removed the right or curb side tail light assembly. He drilled out the rivets and is replacing the part that holds the light bulb (NAPA carries the part). Anyway we were looking at the assembly on the other side and couldn't see any rivets, we couldn't tell if they were painted over or if the whole thing is glued on. The right side was glued and riveted.

[CJ of Okla]

I found a place on the fourm that help us with our light repairs. This is info on a 73 the the back of the part that holds the 3 lights is different. I am still going to try and get a photo to you. You will notice on the 73 they have something that closed the inside wall off. Our 69 just has a big hole cut into the skin and the big light holder is inset (glue and rivet). Like I said earlier not sure why the other side doesn't have rivets (or we can't see them). Hope we don't have to take that one off. HEE HEE

Not sure if this will work.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f226/doin-full-monte-15132-11.html

[Silverhobby]

You are correct. The tail lights are riveted from the inside. Interior skins must be removed to gain access.

[69AmbassFl]

Thanks CJ and Silverhobby,
On my 69 it looks like the curb side is riveted from the inside< this is the one that blew out when the branch hit. The street side does appear to have rivets on the outside, go figure. I don't know if this is factory of if PO had done this. I have an email to Inland to get some pricing on repairing to the original lighting or getting the housings fixed up with the cans and do the LEDS.

Thanks again all

[goransons]

Ours are all done from the inside, was going to remove them and polish off the trailer, but allas, not possible without an interior removal, so they stay.