Thanks for the reply! The idea of the horz cut between the trim holes is great but...the top curved section that meets the seam has a bunch of holes in it from rust. The sandblaster was able to get what they could but the area behind that is sealed off. I was hoping to cut it all the way up to meet the seam. Heres a pic looking from the seam down to the base of the panel.
I may have to cut from the front close to the seam and butt weld there. Not gonna be easy though.