Duster tail Panel replacement

[niceolddart]

I have a 73 Duster & need to replace the whole tail panel, (not worth trying to repair, in my opinion) I am also going to replace the left 1/4 panel. (Full 1/4, no skins) My question is, because I can't find a new tail panel for a 73 & up Duster, I am thinking about using a 70-71 piece or a 72 piece & go from there. It's not anything special like a rare optioned or 340 car, so I'm not concerned about keeping it original. Will I need anything different, obviously aside from the taillight assemblies for this job? Will the original wiring harness work? Will I need different bracing for the panel I decide to go with? It is a fold down back seat car if that matters. I have done metal work on Mopars for a long time & have all the tools I need to do the job right, just not all the knowledge to do THIS job. Will I be better off getting a good original tail piece from a donor car & drilling out all the spot welds from that one. Either way I know shipping costs are outrageous right now & I would like to do this as cheaply as possible. What say you guys on this? Thanks

 

[Oldmanmopar]

You will need the bracketry for the tailight panel. Also the quarters are different at the bumper indent on 74 and later. I would suggest buying a doner rear clip for the year you want to use.

 

[niceolddart]

You will need the bracketry for the tailight panel. Also the quarters are different at the bumper indent on 74 and later. I would suggest buying a doner rear clip for the year you want to use.

That is my prefered method of doing this. Not fond of the 73 & up grill & taillights, but I can live with them & I like using good original sheet metal as much as possible. I will see if Tony's has a good doner. I can drive there & pick it up if he has one. It will help on shipping costs for sure. Thanks for the input.