im almost ready to weld in the new piece. i was thinkin of making the cut on the original the laying it on top of the new piece and tracing it out and cutting to fit it in. have any of you guys done it like this before? my rear shelf is already out. thanks

That's how you do it. Use your cut out as a pattern.

sweet.....

Don't forget to add for the thickness of the blade or cutoff wheel though. If you make it the same size you will need to fill gaps.

LK

good advise, thanks guys!

most body welders will tell you you should have a metal thickness sized gap in any panel youre butt welding

Here is mine.....Watch the fit! Notice it doesnt totaly cover where the original was. This is before and after.....