Has anyone ever needed to shorten an arm rest panel on a 1970 cutlass supreme so it would fit under the side panel?

 

The rear armrest panels OVERLAP the bottom edge of the side panels...if that is your concern. Again, factory didn't want gaps, etc showing up.

 

So the armrest panel goes on top of the trim panel? It's been a long time since I took this apart

 

Yes...like your pics show. In other words, the side panel gets installed FIRST and THEN the armrest gets installed after that.

 

Gotcha thanks. Should there be any other screws other than the front 2 and the ones on the filler panel or just the seat holding it in?

 

I think that is all....the two chrome screws on the vertical front face of the armrest and the two that hold on the textured metal filler panel (as you said above). Seat bottom presses against the face of the armrest also helping keep it in place.