I’m committed now. Tacked in the ‘gas tank hammock’ to keep the frame rails straight, and fired up the plasma cutter, and took out the tail light panel, rear cross-member, and lower rear portions of the quarter panels.

Rear cross member all welded in. Nice and tight fit, thanks to the Redneck Gas Tank Hammock’s last gasp of holding the frame rails together.

Here’s the new trunk pan dropped in for test-fitting. Fits like a glove, except that the sheet metal comes up about 6″ short in the front. Turns out the pan from CJ Pony Parts is about 6″ ‘shorter’ than the one from Ohio Mustang Supply – WTF?! My Bad. Now I gotta fit a new piece of sheet metal in there, bash it into shape, and weld it in before zapping this one down.