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Hello has anyone recently purchased Pillar Post interior trim (A Pillar) that they were happy with?
I bought and return one from Corvette Pacifica as the fitment was really bad, I don't want to end up with the same part just from a different vendor.
The prices are also all over the place from $75 from Al Knoch to $220 on Ecklers.
No recent experience, but bad experience with Corvette America on that part. The original part has a curve built into it; the aftermarket piece is straight (or mine was at that time). Also, the "Velcro-like" fastening pads did not mesh with the original pads on the pillar. I had to drill out the rivets on the original part AND the new one and swap over the old fasteners so the part could stay in place.
After I had to re-engineer the pieces, they worked fine. C.A. was called to inform them of the "issues". They couldn't care less....
If Al Knoch sells them, they would be my choice of vendor for such a part. You may want to call them first to discuss such 'past' problems with those parts to see if they are aware and if those issues have been resolved.
I got a pair from AK 3 years ago, one had an issue with the vinyl adhering, they quickly replaced so great customer service then at least. However the fit was only ok in my case. They were also hard to fit well, a lot of warming up, twisting (might be due to the old velcro areas are hard to reuse.....).
I think I bought mine at Ecklers, the fitment was OK, but not perfect. You really have to play with the fitting, I bought extra thick velcro to both test fit pieces and to aid in final installation. Make sure you put the center header piece on first and then test the pillar posts next.
Chuck, can you elaborate on the 'forming'? What is involved?
tmny, when you first put the A-pillar trim in place, the direction and forming efforts necessary to achieve a good fit will become obvious. IIRC, I bent the trim over my legs while I was sitting. Just don’t push it hard enough to kink it. It also requires a bit of twisting. I would imagine that any supplier’s trim would need to be worked to achieve a good fit.
I would find originals and vinyl dye them. There are no reproductions that fit like originals in my experience. If you can't find originals then I would go with al knoch.
The ones sold by Corvette America do not fit correctly.
I looked around for good originals but the only ones I found had big chunks out of them just like mine.
I ended up ordering from Knoch. I'll post back with my thoughts on it when it arrives.
I installed the Al Knoch post (passenger side). I'm not overly impressed with the fit. There is still a large gap between the trim and the windshield which shows the frame.This is the best I could get it with quite a bit of massaging and adjusting. It is also very close to the T-Tiop latch on the inside. This part will do for now. But I'll be keeping my eye out for a good used original to replace it.
I noticed rubbing from my t-top locks on the new a-pillars also after installing. I pretty much leave my t-tops off all the time so have just been careful when using....
Pillar Post Trim Recomendations
C.A. was called to inform them of the "issues". They couldn't care less....
