Traveller Rear Inner wing replacement

[blackisletickners]

Our 1969 Traveller has finally reached the top of the list of things to do, and some further restoration is needed. The wood is fine, renewed by the previous owner in 1990 (20k miles ago!) and the floor and mid section structure is sound. Sadly the rear inner wings are beyond further patching. 3 layers of steel in places as far as I can see, held together with underseal and holes! The "chassis" structure on both sides is sound so I plan to remove the inner wings completely and replace with new.
Has anyone attempted replacement of both rear inner wings? Is there a recommended publication that will guide me through the job? I have a copy of Linsay Porter's 1989 restoration guide, but it doesn't cover complete replacement.
I have just finished a full restoration of my Land Rover Discovery, so the mig welder is ready and waiting!

[bmcecosse]

Welcome to the forum! I'm not sure if the inner wings can be renewed without taking the timber frames off... I suspect not - but someone who KNOWS will be along shortly I'm sure!!

[brucek]

Guess it depends on how much timber you want left on the car after you have finished the welding

[mike.perry]

My Traveller o/s inner wing was replaced without removing the woodwork. The old inner wing was removed with a disc cutter and the remaining area was cleaned up. Once all the rust was out of the way it was easy to see what was attached to what. The inner wing has a flange around the edge which is screwed through the body side panels into the wood. Remove the screws and it comes apart. I bought the complete top section of the wing and found that it was easier to cut the panel in half, push the front section in and fix it, then the same with the rear section and weld them together afterwards. I also bought a set of coach bolts but they were not required

[blackisletickners]

Many thanks Mike. I hadn't thought about cutting the replacements in half! I have stripped the rear of the car and am in the process of removing the aluminium side panels. The "mastic" is like concrete, but getting there slowly. I can see no danger of damaging the timber frame whilst welding, all the weld lines are well clear, and I don't intend to disturb the timber frame.
I started this job intending to just expose as much timber as possible prior to re-preservation. It was following removal of the inner wing fabric trim that I realised I was looking at an almighty (20 years old at least!) bodge! Removal of the (perfectly smooth) outer layer of underseal confirmed the problem! It is really the centre top halves of each wing, and the (corroded & mostly detached) wing to timber flanges, plus both ends, that need replacement. The material welded to the rear "chassis" structure is corrosion free. As is the steel to which it is attached. Regular wax-oiling pays!
Whilst it seems an awful waste of two expensive panels, I am tempted to cut the existing wings just above the "chassis" structure and trim away the base area of the replacement wings to suit. A lot less welding!