2nd Gen Rear Quarter Tail Lamp Surround Patch Panel-Using 1st Gen Rear Quarter on 2nd Gen Explorer

[GrayGhost96]

Hello all, ISO a patch panel I saw years ago but cant seem to locate now. My Drivers rear quarter is rusted thru on my 96, the notorious rust above the fuel door along with the usual Mid West rust. I was looking a few years ago and saw folks buying 1st gen rear quarters, and a special tail light surround patch that would "convert" the quarter to fit a 2nd gen tail lamp assembly.

LMC Truck no longer shows window down rear quarters for 1st gen any more, or second gen for that matter, but I have seen them at Classic 2 Current, and Summit, Raybuck, to name a few. They range from $178-to $280 not including shipping.

So has anyone ever seen these tail-lamp-assembly surround patch panels? Even if they are discontinued maybe I can still search around for them if i had a number or manufacturer. maybe I'm not using the right verbiage for google to hunt them down.

Thanks in advance

 

[GrayGhost96]

Must have been a beer dream!?

Going forward with a 1st gen rear quarter and I'll probably follow one of the other forum posts that describe the process of getting that curved bit in for my tail lamps.

 

[Lee's Automotive]

Following because i need the passenger side quarter panel replaced on my X too

 

[410Fortune]

Consider fiberglass bedsides?

 

[GrayGhost96]

Ended up getting a set of steel, window-down, quarters for a first gen. Windows pulled and rust cut out just for exploration. Now I'm looking for the appropriate panel bond. Ford used some kind of flexible foam sealant. What is this stuff? And where can I get it? I'm sure 3M makes some.

I would use some panel bond that I have laying around but its pretty ridged, much more ridged than the OEM foam stuff used to bond the fuel filler tunnel, that rail seen hanging there. and the floor. I'm guessing that because it's bonded directly to the exterior panel of the vehicle it needs to have some flexibility.


Update:
So I did some looking and I'm thinking 3M 08463 or just 3M 8463. Might be the stuff

 

[GrayGhost96]

I ended up having to rebuild the wheel house with fiberglass. Removed more of the rear quarter to accept the new panel. Sorry for the blue tape but i was using that to hold in the tail lamp for fitting before i welded everything together. Right now Project was put on hold and is "resting" under a trap in the back untill i have time. Hoping to get back at it this summer and do the other side too. Ill add more detailed pictures and the 3M adhesives I ended up using along with tools