'69-'76 Door Panel Installation?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Cottonwood Heights UT
'69-'76 Door Panel Installation?
Hey, folks;
I'm in a little quandary. I purchased my '77 without any interior in it. I've slowly rebuilt it from the ground up, and it's time to finally install some door panels. Unfortunately, I didn't have door panels to remove to see how they go back into the car. I have the AIM manual, and it isn't helping me (it doesn't show the metal clip positions from what I've seen, or orientation of the clips).
Does anyone have a video or a photo guide of someone installing a door panel in a '69-'77 C3 that they can link me to? I didn't find anything in the search results, nor anything on youtube, and everything else was text-based (which doesn't help this visual old coot).
Even if all anyone has is a photo of installed door panels on those two metal clip things, that would be beneficial.
Thanks!
Sharktooth
I'm in a little quandary. I purchased my '77 without any interior in it. I've slowly rebuilt it from the ground up, and it's time to finally install some door panels. Unfortunately, I didn't have door panels to remove to see how they go back into the car. I have the AIM manual, and it isn't helping me (it doesn't show the metal clip positions from what I've seen, or orientation of the clips).
Does anyone have a video or a photo guide of someone installing a door panel in a '69-'77 C3 that they can link me to? I didn't find anything in the search results, nor anything on youtube, and everything else was text-based (which doesn't help this visual old coot).
Even if all anyone has is a photo of installed door panels on those two metal clip things, that would be beneficial.
Thanks!
Sharktooth
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 441
From: Denver CO
Sorry no pics.There are what I'd call slit type openings cut into the back of the door panels on the edge towords the bottom of the panel . One on each end , front door jam, rear striker side.The clips slip in the slots and should line up w/screw holes on the body. I added two on the bottom of the panel to help secure the panel even better by cutting new slots and adding extra clips. Hope this helps.Good luck
Last edited by gjohnson; Aug 19, 2014 at 11:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Cottonwood Heights UT
Thank you gjohnson and Alan 71! This will get me through the trouble!
Sorry no pics.There are what I'd call slit type openings cut into the back of the door panels on the edge towords the bottom of the panel . One on each end , front door jam, rear striker side.The clips slip in the slots and should line up w/screw holes on the body. I added two on the bottom of the panel to help secure the panel even better by cutting new slots and adding extra clips. Hope this helps.Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Position the panel so that the opening for the release lever is just in front of the end of the lever. Use one hand to reach behind the panel an lift that lever to the OPEN position. Now, use the other hand to slide the panel over that lever so it is into proper position. Now, you just have to line the panel up well with the door, then 'pop' the plastic retainers together and, finally, insert the four attaching screws (1 at each top corner and 1 into each clip at the bottom corners).
Done!
Done!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,269
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi sht,
I think it's important to first get the top edge of the door panel clipped down over the metal flange that runs along the top of the door's metal frame.
This is what holds the top of the door trim panel in tight at the top and thus allows you to be able to exert pressure on the bottom of the panel to get the 2 clips fastened and the velcro style fasteners secured.
Regards,
Alan
Notice how close the inner sweep on the panel is to the outer sweep on the door and also that you can't look "down into the door's mechanism.
I think it's important to first get the top edge of the door panel clipped down over the metal flange that runs along the top of the door's metal frame.
This is what holds the top of the door trim panel in tight at the top and thus allows you to be able to exert pressure on the bottom of the panel to get the 2 clips fastened and the velcro style fasteners secured.
Regards,
Alan
Notice how close the inner sweep on the panel is to the outer sweep on the door and also that you can't look "down into the door's mechanism.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Yep. Finding those screw holes when installing a new door panel with those [angled] screws can be a real trick. You might use an icepick to find the mating hole in the metal door surface, then try to install the screw at the same angle.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Cottonwood Heights UT
Thanks for the suggestion. Something I've not done yet (the clips get delivered tomorrow), so I'll grab my awl out when I install them. Thanks!
4th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I need to know how to get door panel off first, had my girl down for a while putting new gears in when mice made a home in my door. I'll try reverse here. . doesn't smell real good. 
thanks
thanks
Last edited by Beausdad; Aug 26, 2014 at 07:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Cottonwood Heights UT
I was able to get one door panel on. I will note that sound deadener on the inside of the door panel makes it more of a bear, which is what I had added. However, It's more interior than I have ever seen in this car. Thanks again, guys!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Cottonwood Heights UT
Now that I've installed my door panels, I can tell you how to remove the door panels.
First, put the window all the way down.
pop the lock **** off (there is a wire spring holding it on, you may need a special tool for this - but I've used long, narrow needle-nosed pliers to pry it out on my other cars).
Then, remove the two screws on the lower corners (one front, one back). Those are connected to (hopefully still black) clips that are hooked into the door panel.
Remove the two screws holding the interior door pull (the interior-colored pull, not the chrome one).
Next, using a gentle pry bar (or screwdriver), you will have to pry apart the door panel from five clips (depending on how old you are, there used to be toys called "bristle blocks" that functioned similar to these clips - two halts pry apart).
Once those are done, pull the chrome door handle outward (as if opening the door), and push the door panel forward and away from the door (the top will still be in the door frame, it's the bottom that will slide away from the door).
When you've cleared the chrome handle, check the top of the door panel to see how it clips down into the actual door. Then, lift the bottom outward and the entire door panel should lift up and out of the channel.