Rumble Seat Hinges part 2

2935ford

2935ford

Well-known member
So, a small mess on my hands here with the sheet metal and hinges on my rumble seat.

I'll get the sheet metal fixed. My question.......are there bolts or screws holding the hinges to the rumble lid?
If bolts how do you get the nut on the inside of the sheet metal?

Thanks in advance.
 

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Oh ya! It’s been a few years but I think I remember that challenge. As I recall I fished them in with something. It may have been a boxed end wrench with tape on the bottom to hold the nut in. Keep at and you’ll find a way!
Looks like you have some metal work to do before you get to that point.
 
I just went through this with a used rumble lid that I bought at Hershey a couple of year ago. The metal was good and the holes were there so I used a wire to fish the D nuts up into the holes and then brazed them in place. Worked out ok. In your case, you will have to use your hinge for a template after you repair the metal. Good luck!
 
Ken, Sent a private message. By the way, I wouldn't recommend aluminum pop rivets. I think there is too much stress on the hinge for these to stand up for very long. Someone else can correct me if they have used them successfully.
 
Yes, at least weld nuts into the holes for the D nuts. and make sure you line them properly. If you haven't got a set of original hinges and mounting brkts. find a see from someone.The aftermarket ones are off and it take alot of extra work to make the lid align. I learn't that the hard way. JP
 
KenBolton said:
Funnytides, never received the PM.
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Ken, Sorry about that. Basically, I had to repair a lid I bought at Hershey that was missing the d nuts for attaching the hinges. I cleaned up the holes, used a wire to fish the d nuts, from my old lid, into position in the new lid and put a spot of braze on each one. As far as I know this will work if using original hinge assemblies. I have heard that if you are using repro hinges, the holes my not line up
 
Here's a picture of what that area of the inner lid should look like. I don't envy your task ahead - aligning a rumble lid can be a time consuming and frustrating task even when the brackets are properly positioned on a good inner panel.


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Randy in ca said:
Here's a picture of what that area of the inner lid should look like. I don't envy your task ahead - aligning a rumble lid can be a time consuming and frustrating task even when the brackets are properly positioned on a good inner panel.


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I second what Randy says. It took me several attempts and the use of a porto-power to get the lid to fit and align properly. Also had to shim one hinge with an extra washer between the hinge and the mount. Good luck!
 
Just a sidebar
The best way to restore a deck lid is to take it apart. Separate the liner and skin.
That allows access to the inside to completely clean and repair. The d nuts and a reinforcement plate can be easily installed and the nuts perfectly aligned with the bracket
A few spot welds and pry apart.
Reassembly is not too bad but one needs to be sure the deck lid is in the proper plane that it should be before affixing the skin and liner permanently.
Once you’ve done one it ain’t that bad!
 
Good luck with that project.

I would say that would be a better trunk lid and spend the money on a better inner structure.

My experience with rumble lids. If you have a factory lid only use factory hinges.

The repro hinges are smaller in every dimension and the faces that mate with the lid are not right. The repro lids are made to fit the repo hinges, that is not very good either. I have a repro lid and tried fitting original hinges.

I had a very nice lid and found the factory hinges fit the lid tight almost not needing screws. Repros would not fit in any direction.

Your problem is you do not have any good reference to set the hinges in the proper place. You may end up spending a lot of time trying to get the lid to line up with the body and in the end it might never quite be right.

Depending on you goals with your project you might be MUCH better off with a better lid.

One thought. Find a rusty not so fixable lid with the metal in the hinge area that is good. Section out far enough and weld in the factory metal to good areas in your lid. That will probably get you the best fit.
 
If the inner panel is in reasonable good shape and the outer skin is straight, you may want to try and trade lids, even if you add money, with someone who is wanting to convert from rumble to trunk.
 
desotoguy said:
If the inner panel is in reasonable good shape and the outer skin is straight, you may want to try and trade lids, even if you add money, with someone who is wanting to convert from rumble to trunk.
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A very intelligent suggestion for sure!
 
Well, thanks for all the info.
I have the nuts in place (spot welded) and the holes are now patched.

We will attach the original hinges then attempt the alignment.

It appears this may have been originally a trunk lid?
The inner skin is set up to be either and wondering if it was a trunk coupe would the factory have the nuts installed for a rumble or if it was going to be a trunk the inner skin didn't get the nuts attached?
Any ideas?
 
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