'68 Door Panels on '74
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
'68 Door Panels on '74
I thought I'd asked this before but search did not find it. I have arthritis in my left hip and have to work my leg back and forth frequently while driving, especially on long trips. The door pull bumps my knee while doing this. I have removed the door pull on that side and now I am more comfortable. I was thinking I could swap out to '68 door panels(I like the way they look as well)when I get around to changing the interior color. I don't mind drilling new holes in the door if necessary, the car is not stock and will never likely be stock. I have power windows.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The panels will otherwise fit. For 74, the window wipe is stapled to door panel; for 68 it is a separate part. You may be able to add the 74 window wipe to the 68 panel. 68 panels are a little thicker in the shoulder area. I'm not sure you will get additional space for your knee with the 68 panels.
Since the 68 panels are one year only, finding a good used pair at a reasonable price might be a real PITA.
Since the 68 panels are one year only, finding a good used pair at a reasonable price might be a real PITA.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jun 3, 2016 at 04:16 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Now I know I asked about this somewhere. I will be buying a complete kit when the time comes. Thanks for the info. I'll try to find a '68 I can sit in in the meantime to check comfort.
Last edited by Richard Daugird; Jun 3, 2016 at 05:01 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
As Mike stated above, you'll lose about 1 to 1-1/2" of interior width in the shoulder area. And you'll have to get creative to have the felts work correctly. The 68's have a seperate metal frame that bolts to the door frame.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: myrtle beach sc
Army
If you have a 68, it is very reassuring to have the 68 interior door panel shoulder support if you take some spirited corners like I usually do!!! That is if you do not have very broad shoulders. Lou.
Former Vendor
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Richard-
I hate to go against the grain on this... but the 68 door metal frame was different than the 1969 and newer. To attach the door panel to the car you'd have to switch and install the 1968 inner wipe assembly, I'm not so sure how that would work out with a later model door.
I'm sure the panel will fit on the door but the 68 panel doesn't have the wipe made into it so you'll have to figure out how to modify the door to accept the 68 wipe and/or just run the panel without one.
The next question would be what would you attach the upper portion of the 68 panel to. The 68 panel used the upper wipe reinforcement as a point of attachment...
I'd be interested to see how this works or if someone else has crossed this bridge. I do know I've got a 68 customer with later model door panels on his car but going forward seems easier than going backwards...
IMHO..
Willcox
I hate to go against the grain on this... but the 68 door metal frame was different than the 1969 and newer. To attach the door panel to the car you'd have to switch and install the 1968 inner wipe assembly, I'm not so sure how that would work out with a later model door.
I'm sure the panel will fit on the door but the 68 panel doesn't have the wipe made into it so you'll have to figure out how to modify the door to accept the 68 wipe and/or just run the panel without one.
The next question would be what would you attach the upper portion of the 68 panel to. The 68 panel used the upper wipe reinforcement as a point of attachment...
I'd be interested to see how this works or if someone else has crossed this bridge. I do know I've got a 68 customer with later model door panels on his car but going forward seems easier than going backwards...
IMHO..
Willcox
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Four and a half years later, the car has been wrecked and repainted, engine blown and replaced, finally up and running! As soon as I finish the brakes, I will start on the interior. I'll let y'all know how this door panel swap goes.
Race Director
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From: Shamong, NJ