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Recently I purchased the correct kick panels, windlace and trim pieces. Overall the components appeared to be correct and fit snuggly in place. The problem of attaching these guys to the car suddenly surfaced. Directly behind the attachment locations exits a small space on the car approximately 1/8 inch wide. Metal structure is located on both sides of this space. My attachment holes (for the screws) have nowhere to secure to. I have tried to move the entire panel forward and aft in order to capture the vertical metal that exists there but the panel looks out of place. Its been a three day project thus far. Maybe I should just trash these brand new items and reinstall the junk pieces that were on. They look like crap but at least they are on the car. Whoever designs this stuff anyway?
Recently I purchased the correct kick panels, windlace and trim pieces. Overall the components appeared to be correct and fit snuggly in place. The problem of attaching these guys to the car suddenly surfaced. Directly behind the attachment locations exits a small space on the car approximately 1/8 inch wide. Metal structure is located on both sides of this space. My attachment holes (for the screws) have nowhere to secure to. I have tried to move the entire panel forward and aft in order to capture the vertical metal that exists there but the panel looks out of place. Its been a three day project thus far. Maybe I should just trash these brand new items and reinstall the junk pieces that were on. They look like crap but at least they are on the car. Whoever designs this stuff anyway?
All that and you don't state the year of the car (• sigh •)
Can't you simply use the old cardboard backing and overlay it on the new piece and copy the old hole locations? I would try that first. Don't get too hung up on where the holes are on the new piece if they don't line up...get creative
Are you working with already carpeted kick panels or just the cards for now? Either way IIRC when I did mine, I adjusted the cards to fit well by moving / elongating some of the holes to get all the screws going smoothly in to the holes first. The carpet is somewhat flexible and once you get the panel holes lined up, just poke through the carpet where you need to be with an awl.
Fitment can vary greatly depending on how much insulation you have under the carpet. Mine is built up pretty thick for sound deadoning so it took a bit of work to get the finished look I wanted. Pilot Dan
Using a scratch awl to find the mounting indeed makes life easier...the trim screws shouldn't snag the carpet and pull any threads but watch carefully as you tighten them...
Those are some really super photos. Thanks for posting. The mounting problem I have is with the those three almost vertical screws that penetrate the metal curve trim piece. On my car the only place that appears suitable (and used by the p.o.) is a curved piece that forms the outer casing for the door jam. This only provides a very small area to hit with a screw. Beyond that casing, the metal behind the kick panel has a gap. I'll get a photo tomorrow of it as I know this is difficult to visualize. I'm not certain if my car is totally correct under the panel. I'm tempted to fill in that gap with metal and fiberglass, then drill new receiver points for the screws. I guess for most C2 cars, this panel is pretty easy to install but for some reason mine has become a major pain in a particular body part. Thanks for everyone's input and taking the time to post the photos. They are truly appreciated.
The screw set used for 63 thru 67 cars is not all the same, it's to early to describe plus I forgot the differences. It's over on the NCRS D/B if you search the archives.
Don't discount the fit of reproduction parts vs original parts, that may be 75% of your problem. Be careful and try to use the three holes in the vertical panel to attach the metal brace, if the holes are stripped get some J&B weld and fill and re tap. The cardboard backing may need to be trimmed. The top three ( 9-12-3 o'clock) black plastic grill screws screws are snug first.
The screw set used for 63 thru 67 cars is not all the same, it's to early to describe plus I forgot the differences. It's over on the NCRS D/B if you search the archives.
Don't discount the fit of reproduction parts vs original parts, that may be 75% of your problem. Be careful and try to use the three holes in the vertical panel to attach the metal brace, if the holes are stripped get some J&B weld and fill and re tap. The cardboard backing may need to be trimmed. The top three ( 9-12-3 o'clock) black plastic grill screws screws are snug first.
I wouldn't go modifying body panels to make a piece of fabric fit...the vertical metal front strip is the 'index' for the kick panel and where it should be mounted first, and, as mentioned fitting around the plastic vent can be a bit of a problem
Can't say on a C2 but on a C1 they were cover plates for wire runs....and to make the carpet transition smoothly from the floor to the sill plates. Its not a bar but a flat piece of steel with a cavity behind it.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jan 31, 2019 at 04:37 PM.
Can't say on a C2 but on a C1 they were cover plates for wire runs....and to make the carpet transition smoothly from the floor to the sill plates. Its not a bar but a flat piece of steel with a cavity behind it.
Thanks Frankie! I'm at the point of installing the front carpet and kick panels when I came across the picture. I don't have that piece and can't locate it on Eckler's website. If it's not needed, then I may just not worry about it.
They are around and if you want your carpet to lay down nicely they are necessary...63/64 versions are different than later midyears....the clips needed to install the covers are at the bottom of this web page as well - if you don't already have them:
They are around and if you want your carpet to lay down nicely they are necessary...63/64 versions are different than later midyears....the clips needed to install the covers are at the bottom of this web page as well - if you don't already have them:
Did you verify the metal trim for the carpet windlace at the "A" pillar is the same as your originals? The 63-64E differ from later years in the screw hole locations but the trim piece is the same. I can't visualize the metal on either side of the gap. My mind tells me that the birdgage A pillar is the only metal in this area and the screws for the kick panel should all thread into fiberglass. Couple of photos to help ID what you have
63-64E Kick Panel Trim. The top most screw hole is located near the end of the trim piece. 64L-67 Kick Panel Trim. The top most screw hole is relocated further from the end of the trim piece. The other two holes may also have been relocated on the trim but I can't confirm this as I have a early 64.
Kick Panel Mounting
I wouldn't go modifying body panels to make a piece of fabric fit...the vertical metal front strip is the 'index' for the kick panel and where it should be mounted first, and, as mentioned fitting around the plastic vent can be a bit of a problem
