Dome light retaining plate

The dome light at the rear is hooked to a very thin metal plate; which is riveted at the 4 corners.  Mine is completely rusted (surface rust).  Since I want to clean it both sides; I need to take it out.

What's the best way to take those rivets out?  Drill & punch?  Where will the other half of the rivet fall; on the front side of the tank; to the ground?

If I decide to install something else as a dome light retainer; does it have to be metal?  As far as I can tell; it doesn't act as a ground since the inside "chrome" plate is silver plastic anyway.

On my 74, the plate is flat and a little smaller than 4x6 (like a picture).  On 76 and up I think it's "C" shape.

Thanks!

Steph.

You can drill the rivets out, and the other sides will simply fall on the floor, or possibly on top of the frame back there...not a real issue. I'm not sure if there is a backing plate on the other side of the rear wall for that bracket, tho...you may need to look and see, just in case. If there is, you'll need to be sure and re-install it when ya put it all back together.
The light itself should have a power and ground on the connector, so no external ground is needed.

Thanks.

I'll probably get to that next Saturday.  I'll let you know if there's a plate on the back side of it.  I removed my spare carrier a while back, so it should be easy.

Steph.