Tail lights

[moparstyle]

Maybe a minor issue but anyway...

In the process of installing the tail lights on my -70.
When centering the housing (with lens and trim installed) in the tail light opening, the 2 "recessed" areas sits lower than the tail panel edge.
See attached sample pic of a -71 housing, the circled areas.
Even tough i try to lift the housing up as much as possible, it still sits lower than the panel.

Tells me that after the first car wash i will have water sitting there.

I have the correct gasket kit, tail panel and lights are all original for the car. The inner foam gasket will surely prevent leaks into the trunk but will not do anything to stop water from entering into these 2 "bath tubs".

Any thoughts appreciated.

[HP_Cuda]

I believe for gaskets the 70 and 71 are simliar.

There is an interior gasket for the lens, then there is a white foam gasket placed in front of the chrome piece, then there is a thick paper gasket which goes right behind the pot metal bezel which I believe would block your problem.

[rattlesnake]

I agree, I just finished up the taillights on my 70. The gasket that sits betyween the outer bezel and the tailpanel is there to keep water out of the tailight area. The trick is to get a quality gasket kit that has the correct size and type of gasket. I ended up making mine out of cork material because the ones I bought were bogus.

[moparstyle]

Thanks, guys!

Think you nailed it with the outer gasket. Mine is quite thin and does not block out the water.
Will do as Rattlesnake and make my own.

[Giveitawack]

I couldn't get mine watertight. Rain and washing always leaked into the trunk floor.
I resorted to a tube of silicone. Left is tight. Right still needs sealing.
Maybe the "bathtubs" could be filled with silicone?

[moparstyle]

Gave silicone a thought but decided not to use it. Gluing the housing to the panel would do the job but i want to have to possibility to remove the housing if needed.
As Rattlesnake has it above, i will make a cork gasket making sure that it overlaps both the lens and tail panel.   

I couldn't get mine watertight. Rain and washing always leaked into the trunk floor.
I resorted to a tube of silicone. Left is tight. Right still needs sealing.
Maybe the "bathtubs" could be filled with silicone?

[Aussie Challenger]

Don't use silicone especially against body panels, use a proper windscreen type sealant, it doesn't go hard, don't put too much on though as it also becomes messy.   

[moparstyle]

Thanks, that was a good idea. 3M has this ribbon sealer for glass which never go hard. It comes in a roll and can be placed as a seam around the inside of the panel.
Will keep it in mind if my cork gasket doesnt work.

Don't use silicone especially against body panels, use a proper windscreen type sealant, it doesn't go hard, don't put too much on though as it also becomes messy.