inner door panel installation
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
inner door panel installation
im installing new inner door panels on my 72. it has manual window so I will need to drill those holes plus the door pulls . any body have some good advise or tricks to locate those holes. thanks peter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 54
From: Fayetteville NC
I would have thought that the door panels would of come pre-cut ready for install?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,680
Likes: 3,133
From: Shamong, NJ
The holes for the window crank, along with the ones for the lock bezel and door handle, are cut out of the sub-straight, on the back side of the panel. I've always just cut them out from the back, using an X-Acto knife.
The holes for the pulls are a little tougher, because I don't think the sub-straight is cut out for them. If I remember right, I've punched through depressions for the pulls, on the front side of the panels, using something sharp like an ice pick, and then used a drill to enlarge the hole enough for the ends of the pull to fit in.
The holes for the pulls are a little tougher, because I don't think the sub-straight is cut out for them. If I remember right, I've punched through depressions for the pulls, on the front side of the panels, using something sharp like an ice pick, and then used a drill to enlarge the hole enough for the ends of the pull to fit in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Start with a small hole though until you see where you are at. Sometimes they run off a little. What a surprise , aftermarket parts not being perfect !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 9,432
Likes: 124
I run a ice pick through also to find the screw hole for the pulls, and actually don't trim any vinyl away. Once you screw the door pulls on they will sink in and look right. On all the door panels I have used there is already a depression for the door pulls so no trimming of the vinyl was necessary just a small hole to put the screw through.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
I have to apologize. I looked at the back and the window crank holes are cut as well as door opening handle and lock. its the door pull screws and I will try the ice pick method. I just need to cut through the vinyl cover for the window cranks. thanks again for the advice. peter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 54
From: Fayetteville NC
I have to apologize. I looked at the back and the window crank holes are cut as well as door opening handle and lock. its the door pull screws and I will try the ice pick method. I just need to cut through the vinyl cover for the window cranks. thanks again for the advice. peter
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
With all due respect.
I have to disagree with not trimming out the vinyl for the handle pull.
The areas where your handle pulls do need to be trimmed out so the handle pull will set in the areas molded in the door panel. SO I trim out the foam and the vinyl BUT I am careful in how much of the plastic backing of the door panel I cut out. I do just enough til I can clearly see the hole for the screws. I use my Dremel tool and it takes very little time....and when the handle installed and the correct screws tight...the handle pull sits perfectly in the areas NOT causing the vinyl panel to get sucked in.
I have worked on factory original door panels and they are that way. The door handle pull...when set where it belongs...sits flush with the vinyl. and by doing it that way..when you are trying to install the machine screw..you can actually look and see the hole for it and it goes in easier.
Think I am full of it....Take you door handle pull and put it where it goes in the new door panel and see if goes in and sits flush...chances are very, very high with will not.
DUB
I have to disagree with not trimming out the vinyl for the handle pull.
The areas where your handle pulls do need to be trimmed out so the handle pull will set in the areas molded in the door panel. SO I trim out the foam and the vinyl BUT I am careful in how much of the plastic backing of the door panel I cut out. I do just enough til I can clearly see the hole for the screws. I use my Dremel tool and it takes very little time....and when the handle installed and the correct screws tight...the handle pull sits perfectly in the areas NOT causing the vinyl panel to get sucked in.
I have worked on factory original door panels and they are that way. The door handle pull...when set where it belongs...sits flush with the vinyl. and by doing it that way..when you are trying to install the machine screw..you can actually look and see the hole for it and it goes in easier.
Think I am full of it....Take you door handle pull and put it where it goes in the new door panel and see if goes in and sits flush...chances are very, very high with will not.
DUB