There are no clips behind the beaver panel...but yes the wiring for the rear lights and licence plate light runs in between the panels. More than likely welding will burn the wires. Its a major pain feeding the wires through again.....best to remove it. Otherwise, when the beaver panel is off, use a heat shield around the wires and secure it out of the way......but any future wiring issues may result in you not being able to get to them.