Rear Vinyl Trim Removal

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RichardR

RichardR

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Hi,
I'm looking for some info on the rear Vinyl Trim removal. I did a search but not a whole lot shows up. Maybe I didn't type the right keywords in??
I understand how the drip rail and front/rear glass works but I just can't wrap my head around the vinyl trim. I understand there are clips and the leading edges have a visible screw. Do I remove this screw and then slide the trim forward to remove the trim? Or do I have to crawl in the trunk to remove the other side of the fastener and just lift it off the body?

I think part of my misunderstanding is how the clips actually hold on the trim.

Any pictures would be great :)

Thank you.
 
It would be helpful to know what you are working on, & maybe a picture or two.
 
Demonracer said:
It would be helpful to know what you are working on, & maybe a picture or two.
Click to expand...
Oh whoops, sorry about that. 71 Plymouth Scamp. The trim in question is the one at the bottom of the C Pillar and wraps around the back.

PXL_20210511_202821804.jpg
 
I presume this is a Dart. There are 2 types of clips plus the screw in front. There are clips that are attached to the trim with studs that stick through the body and have nuts on the back that are accessible in the trunk. I'm not sure how far front those type go. These clips can be bought new from a few vendors and the good ones come with the sealing washer that keeps the trim from damaging the paint on the outside.
Going toward the rear from the visible screw are 3 screws with odd shaped heads that the pillar trim pops over. These screws are not available. I just replaced the fasteners on the 70 Dart I am working on and ended up buying extra clips like the ones that run beneath the back glass. If you drill out the holes for the odd screws you can substitute these for the odd screws, but be warned it is a real pain to get nuts on them and get them tightened - I believe that is why Mopar used these screws. On the assembly line, you would never take the time to climb in the trunk and get to obscure studs to install the nuts.

To get the trim off the odd screws, MAKE SURE the nuts on all the ones with clips and nuts have been removed, take out the front visible screw and starting at the front put something soft (small plastic paint scraper?) under the top of the trim and pop it off one screw at a time (3 on each side). since you haven't finished the paint above the trim you could even use a flat blade screw driver. You might have to rework the locations around where those screws are before you put the trim back on, but it's all on the back side of the trim.

Wish I had taken some shots before I took those fasteners off the car. If you want pics of the clips and the odd screws post again, but I won't get to it until tomorrow.
 
str12-340 said:
I presume this is a Dart. There are 2 types of clips plus the screw in front. There are clips that are attached to the trim with studs that stick through the body and have nuts on the back that are accessible in the trunk. I'm not sure how far front those type go. These clips can be bought new from a few vendors and the good ones come with the sealing washer that keeps the trim from damaging the paint on the outside.
Going toward the rear from the visible screw are 3 screws with odd shaped heads that the pillar trim pops over. These screws are not available. I just replaced the fasteners on the 70 Dart I am working on and ended up buying extra clips like the ones that run beneath the back glass. If you drill out the holes for the odd screws you can substitute these for the odd screws, but be warned it is a real pain to get nuts on them and get them tightened - I believe that is why Mopar used these screws. On the assembly line, you would never take the time to climb in the trunk and get to obscure studs to install the nuts.

To get the trim off the odd screws, MAKE SURE the nuts on all the ones with clips and nuts have been removed, take out the front visible screw and starting at the front put something soft (small plastic paint scraper?) under the top of the trim and pop it off one screw at a time (3 on each side). since you haven't finished the paint above the trim you could even use a flat blade screw driver. You might have to rework the locations around where those screws are before you put the trim back on, but it's all on the back side of the trim.

Wish I had taken some shots before I took those fasteners off the car. If you want pics of the clips and the odd screws post again, but I won't get to it until tomorrow.
Click to expand...
A picture would be great when you have time.
 
OK - I went through the pics of my photos of my current project and I think some will help you. The only problem is that to be really useful, you have to blow them up. I am putting some below, but I think to blow them up, you need me to send you the original high resolution photos by e-mail. If you want them send me a pm with your e-mail address. From front to back for the trim on the pillar, there are: the visible screw, 3 odd screws (hidden), and I one clip with a nut. the trim under the back glass is all held by clips with nuts.

V top trim screws2.jpeg

This is the odd shaped screw and the trim just pops over the head

20210303_180402.jpg
DSC01265.JPG


Below are the pics you need to blow up - the originals are very high resolution and you can see all the holes and their locations.
DSC01156.JPG
DSC00853.JPG


This is the best shot
DSC00850.JPG
 
This of course is all assuming that the trim on a 70-71 Dart is held in place the same way as a 73 Scamp. I can't see why not - the trim is identical, but you know Chrysler...
 
Here's a couple of pictures of mine, 75 Scamp. I don't know if the way I did it is correct, but good results. I remember getting the ones in the trunk first, then the screw in front and the plastic clips on the body studs came off easy. I remember taking my time and care.
Roof (1).JPG
Roof (2).JPG
Roof (3).JPG
 
RichardR said:
Hmmm .
How come some have plastic clips? Or were those older A body's?
Click to expand...
Different trim? Different location on the trim? Most vinyl top trim seams to be held on with these along the sides and butterfly with nuts along the back.

They are an odd one the first time you see them, once I saw no other way I just popped the trim off, was surprised the first time I saw them.


Alan
 
Same trim, don't know when they changed fasteners - with your luck probably mid year 73...
You can reach above the wheel well in the trunk and feel the back of that sheet metal - if you hit pointy things - that's the end of the screw tip. The posts are welded in place so you can probably find the weld. If you are flexible enough, crawl in the trunk, shine a light up there and you should be able to see the end of the screw or the weld spots.
 
RichardR said:
Was there no plastic clips over the screws?
Click to expand...

there is no plastic clip with the screws, there is a plastic disc - see earlier pic of screw, bottom screw. The disc keeps the trim from scratching through the paint and starting rust. later darts went to welded posts with plastic clips for multiple trim retainers in various places (like the 75 pictured above, but I would bet not in 71. Let us know what you find when you get the trim off.
 
Here's a couple shots of my 72 Scamp at teardown,
IMAG0190.jpg

I had holes for the screw in type clips, the one on the far right (around the corner of the trim) had a small spring type arm that engaged one lip of the trim and the pointy end of the clip body hooked into the other lip.

IMG_20150823_214411.jpg

Then I had these clips over the posts that are welded/part of the body sheetmetal. I couldn't find these for the life of me at the time, being so narrow. My step son tried 3-d printing one for me, but the material was too brittle and snapped when I tried to mount it on the stud.

IMAG0193.jpg

This shot shows the screws mentioned by str12-240 in post #6. So whether it's factory or not, I basically had any kind of retainer you could imagine inder that trim.
 
DJC said:
Here's a couple shots of my 72 Scamp at teardown,
View attachment 1715736459
I had holes for the screw in type clips, the one on the far right (around the corner of the trim) had a small spring type arm that engaged one lip of the trim and the pointy end of the clip body hooked into the other lip.

View attachment 1715736460
Then I had these clips over the posts that are welded/part of the body sheetmetal. I couldn't find these for the life of me at the time, being so narrow. My step son tried 3-d printing one for me, but the material was too brittle and snapped when I tried to mount it on the stud.

View attachment 1715736461
This shot shows the screws mentioned by str12-240 in post #6. So whether it's factory or not, I basically had any kind of retainer you could imagine inder that trim.
Click to expand...


Ya sounds like you had all the versions. Weird.
 
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