Go Wing - Rear Trunk Lid - Help

[t1971Chally]

Hello all, I need your help.  I am trying to decide whether or not to leave the Go Wing on my 71 Challenger as I am getting ready to re-paint my car.  My concern is the fact that the previous owner simply drilled holes through the trunk lid and bolted it to the underside of the trunk.  This has left indentions on the trunk lid that are visable at certain angles due to tightening the nuts down on the studs on the underside of the trunk.  I seen in the Year One catalog where you can purchase braces that stretch across the corners of the inner trunk lid.  Supposedly these braces reduce/eliminate the indentation/denting effect of the wing legs on the trunk lid.  So, with all that said, does anyone have any experience with these under trunk lid braces?  Do they eliminate the indentation that can be caused by the legs of the wing? Any other ideas?  Advice?  Thanks in advance....Ted

[cuda]

Id do it right, get the mounting bracket, fix the minor dents and repaint it with everything as it should be. Opening and closing the truck may lead to more damage later on. Just do it. 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Wowsa!! 

 I can't believe anyone would mount a spoiler without the underside braces. I can post a pic late tomorrow of my braces, if you can wiat that long.


  Mike

[t1971Chally]

MEK-Dangerfield,
Thanks that would be great if you can post some pics.  Since you are using the underside braces, do you see any indentation/pulling of the metal on the top of the trunk lid?

[Moparal]

Even with braces, if you over tighten the nuts, it will pull down on the decklid surface. It is a brace. The bolts only need to be but so tight and they will do the job very good when the braces are installed. The braces for a challenger are really big compared to a cuda. I was amazed at the size.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I stole this pic from E-Bay. Here you can see how the big braces mount to the underside of the trunk lid.


  Mike

[t1971Chally]

Thanks Mike!  The picture explains alot!!!  Thanks to everyone else who responded as well.  I will probably purchase the  braces as I do like the look of the car with with wing.  I will post pics later on.....thanks again!!!  Ted

[Challenger6pak]

Take some pieces of small steel tubing and put it over the studs from the backside of the trunklid before you put on the backing plate.  When you tighten the wing down the tubing will butt up to the trunklid and the backing plate.  This will eliminate the dimples caused by tightening down the wing.  You will have to cut the tubing to size.  I don't know the exact length.  If what I am trying to say isn't clear I will unbolt a wing I have here and post pics.

[t1971Chally]

Challenger6pak,

I think I understand you correctly.  Put the wing on, cut some tube stock to the distance between the bottom side of the trunk lid (inside) and the topside of the brace (side facing trunk lid).  This allows you to tighten down the wing to the tube stock eliminating the pulling/denting effect of the wing on the trunk lid. I assume you have to drill the holes on the inner skin (not the outer skin) of the trunk to a larger diameter to accomodate the tube stock?  Please let me know if I have correct?  Thanks...a great idea!!!  Ted

[Challenger6pak]

In that area the inner and outer trunk lid steel is tight together.  You will not need to drill larger holes.  Leave the normal size holes and shim it with the tube stock and it won't dimple.