AMD Screwed Me

[holanae]

Building my 68 and bought most of my parts from Goodmark with exception of a few pieces from AMD.  The tail panel was one of the parts through AMD.  I got a lot of flack on here about going with Goodmark vs AMD.  I can honestly say, all my Goomark pieces with exception of the inner fender splash shields lined up good.  Not a big deal so I didn't bother with them.  The tail panel is a different story.  All body work was completed last year.  The car has been sitting while I refurb everything.  When it came time to install the trim and lights, I couldn't get the trim or tail light assemblies to fit.  I measured the body work and everything checks out.  The panel is just a bad stamp.  Nothing I can do to fix it.  Will need to be replaced.  I contacted AMD, and they gave me every reason under the sun why it's not their problem but couldnt explain why the curveture of the panel doesn't match that of the tail light assemblies, or why the holes for the trim doesnt line up to my trim. Very disappointing.  Wish somebody else made this panel.  Unfortunately I have to purchase a second panel from these doosh bags and pay for the body work again.  

[Baldwinvette77]

Any pictures of the fitment problem?

[holanae]

On my computer at work.

[cdr]

last time someone had this problem, the owner had installed the tail light brackets wrong.    

[holanae]

They explained that the body work was wrong, which it wasn't because I taped it out.  Plus body panel misalignment won't have anything to do with the tail lights or trim holes.  They also said it could have been damaged in installation.  Nope. I couldn't find any metal fatigue or damage.  They also explained that they haven't had any complaints with this piece.  Of course you won't if you don't EVER acknowledge anything is ever wrong with your products.  They did tell me that their panels were 1/16 out of alignment but that the 1/2 alignment issue I'm experiencing is something different.  Stated it was my body guys fault for not fit testing the trim or tail light assemblies prior.  He didn't have access to those pieces but I did send the rear bump, which lines up perfectly.

[holanae]

last time someone had this problem, the owner had installed the tail light brackets wrong.    

I removed the brackets and the tail lights still won't seat flush.  They are about a 1/2 inch off.

I wish I could afford the NOS tail panel in the for sale section right now.

[Puzbie]

boy I hope I don't have the same problem...mine was done last year with basically behind the doors back replaced all AMD parts...the fit was great, but never considered the tail lights since they are part of the stamping as one piece. Wasn't planning on addressing the tail lights until later in the year...similar to your situation. I'd like to see those pictures as well....good luck

[Patronus]

Was any mockup done prior to final paint and assembly? Sounds like whoever installed your panel skipped a few steps.

[Mike DC]

  
 
This complaint has been made before.  AMD's 1969/70 taillight panels need work.  More than one person has said they couldn't get the taillights to fit right without cutting/welding.




The lower corner caps (below the outer ends of the rear bumper) have traditionally taken a ton of flak for bad fitment too.  AMD, Goodmark, Charger Specialties . . . doesn't matter who makes them, nobody is ever happy with them.  

In this case I think it's the corner caps that are decent.  It's the rest of the car that isn't fitting up right behind them.  By the time a whole rearend of a Charger is built from repro panels there are a lot of tolerances stacking up back there.  

 

[ht4spd307]

sorry to hear this as its the last thing you need .now i'm not backing the suppliers of these products but they are repro . i believe the problem stems both ways as the panel beater should dry fit every bolt on that goes on the body including lights bumpers grilles chrome moldings glass and so on prior to welding any replacement panel fully  on or doing any body work .i know that's the  last thing you want to hear but that's what a good panel beater does . sounds like this was not done

[70mopar500]

I used all AMD on my 70.  My tail light panel didn't need replacing. But I did replace the lower valence & corners and there was no way to get the corners to fit unless they were pie cut and welded ack up with filler metal...

[phantom]

I have a complete rear end from AMD, including the taillight panel. Everythings welded on and ready for primer. But as soon as the taillight panel was on, i found my taillights to check fitment ('68 as yours), and i also had issues.

First of all, the brackets were mounted the wrong way from the factory. As soon as i turned them around, i was able to move the taillight inwards to meet the panel, but the panel isn't straight where the taillight is supposed to sit, it curves outwards a little. So only the center of the taillight is touching the panel, i have a gap over and under the lights. Is this the problem you have? Before i shoot primer on my car, i'll hit the panel lightly a couple of times until the taillights fit flush. 

[ACUDANUT]

with any aftermarket parts, your going to have to make adjustments.   

[68RT440]

with any aftermarket parts, your going to have to make adjustments.   

+1, there wasn't one AMD part that I put on my car that I didn't have to cut, slice, add to, take away from, tweak, etc. to get it to fit like I wanted...they were close, but not close enough IMO...

[DAY CLONA]

The lower corner caps (below the outer ends of the rear bumper) have traditionally taken a ton of flak for bad fitment too.  AMD, Goodmark, Charger Specialties . . . doesn't matter who makes them, nobody is ever happy with them.  

 

 

I used the AMD valance, and Charger Specialties end caps, none of them needed any mods, the qtrs, tail light panel were NOS, the trunk floor was AMD, no mods needed, the trunk extensions however were Goodmark and needed mods to fit properly, bumper is AMD as well

But as mentioned elsewhere, I don't care what or who made the panel(s) a complete mock up must be done with ALL the components you intend to install, failure to do this is just poor/ignorant workmanship

[440]

My AMD tail panel was pretty bad too, the tail light brackets on both sides need to be cut off and reworked. The fit was downright terrible.

[fastmark]

I may have a good used one for a 68. I can look if you are interested.

[Kern Dog]

Was any mockup done prior to final paint and assembly? Sounds like whoever installed your panel skipped a few steps.

Absolutely! No matter how good the supplier is, you need to test fit everything before paint! Custom shops do this...They mock up everything to ensure proper fitment, then take it apart to paint.