See the tool I used, it's important to get a good first punch so the drill doesn't go wandering around, if you need to, drill a small hole. It got easier as I did more holes, you basically have to cut around the spot weld without cutting all the way through.
For the welds at the back I had to make the spot weld drill bit longer using an extension bar from my ratchet box. It was easier this way, maybe because it allowed for a bit a movement correcting for the drill mandrel not being so true.
Here is what it looked like once all spot welds were done. Not pretty. In parts that were still holding together I ended up cutting the battery box and peeling the part that is welded on like you do on a sardine can using a good pair of pliers.
Pushed the 2 reinforcements aside rather than remove the top part. Saves on more cutting / welding and you can have them out of the way without pushing too far.
A bit of hammering to bend the back lip and all around made the new battery box fit right. Held with vise grips during welding to keep as close as possible
Final result, tada. I will never let water accumulate at the bottom of the new tray ! Dont want to do this again...
Finally having the little helper is what really made it easy :-)
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