Advice needed on interior parts
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Advice needed on interior parts
Hi everybody, I have attached some photos of my current door panels, these were installed by PO about 25 years ago. The fit as you can see is terrible, the cards have a rigid black plastic backing and will not attach to the door correctly, they also appear to be too thick compared to originals. I have been looking at various vendors and would like advice on whose products are the best. To import the panels to NZ will be a pretty expensive exercise so I really want to get the best quality and best fitting panels I can. Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 65
From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
The plastic backed panels are reproductions that are notorious for poor fits. They seem to require a lot of massaging with a heat gun to get them to fit properly, if at all. your best fit will be original panels. Good luck with your search.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Original panels would be perfect! but the chance of finding them in good condition in NZ is pretty small.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I replaced my door panels about 9 months ago, ordered from Willcox and arrived in a corvette America box. They fit just right.
I change the outside window seals at the same time, they came from Riks Corvette parts in Morganton part # DOR376
I change the outside window seals at the same time, they came from Riks Corvette parts in Morganton part # DOR376
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Using a heat gun is often times needed if the door panel backing is arched and under a lot of tension and WILL not stay at the top. I install door panels quite often at times...and I have found that the two screws that are used at the upper portion of the door panel are CRITICAL. And I have found that using slightly longer screws with the correct spinning washer and some sleeves....allows me to pull the door panel to the door frame and NOT pucker the vinyl and foam of the door panel itself.
These door panels do not just 'fall on" the car. They do take some time...even right out of the box brand new....they take time to get right. I can have an easy hour per panel to get it to fit perfectly....when they are new ...out of the box.
NICE JOB..Peterbuilt.
DUB
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From: Wellington, New Zealand
I have noticed how the top rear portion of your panel is almost flat and hooks over the top of the door, mine look very shallow in comparison, photo 1 probably shows this best. Did they require a bit of work to make them fit?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Read post #3 again.
Using a heat gun is often times needed if the door panel backing is arched and under a lot of tension and WILL not stay at the top. I install door panels quite often at times...and I have found that the two screws that are used at the upper portion of the door panel are CRITICAL. And I have found that using slightly longer screws with the correct spinning washer and some sleeves....allows me to pull the door panel to the door frame and NOT pucker the vinyl and foam of the door panel itself.
These door panels do not just 'fall on" the car. They do take some time...even right out of the box brand new....they take time to get right. I can have an easy hour per panel to get it to fit perfectly....when they are new ...out of the box.
NICE JOB..Peterbuilt.
DUB
Using a heat gun is often times needed if the door panel backing is arched and under a lot of tension and WILL not stay at the top. I install door panels quite often at times...and I have found that the two screws that are used at the upper portion of the door panel are CRITICAL. And I have found that using slightly longer screws with the correct spinning washer and some sleeves....allows me to pull the door panel to the door frame and NOT pucker the vinyl and foam of the door panel itself.
These door panels do not just 'fall on" the car. They do take some time...even right out of the box brand new....they take time to get right. I can have an easy hour per panel to get it to fit perfectly....when they are new ...out of the box.
NICE JOB..Peterbuilt.
DUB
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
Hi mr303, how's the windy city? there is a good chance you could still make those panels fit, I fitted new Corvette America panels last year and no they did not fit straight away. Instead of heating the panels I had to bend the door lip out slightly and do the same to the bracket attached to the top of the door panel. Detach one of the panels from the door and then hang it from the top of the door by the lip only then see how far outwards it hangs. If it is 20 deg or less I would say you can get it to fit properly. You may need some heat in your case as well given the age of the plastic it has most likely hardened a bit.
Yup landing panels here will set you back nearly 1k NZ unless you can save some getting them shipped with other gear. There is a contact here in Dunedin that may be able to help with this if needed.
Yup landing panels here will set you back nearly 1k NZ unless you can save some getting them shipped with other gear. There is a contact here in Dunedin that may be able to help with this if needed.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The door panels being produced today are way better than those of 20 years ago.
Make sure the tabs are straight on the door and that the upper portion of the panel will slip over it. Then use a awe through the hole in the door panel clip and use it as a guide to pull the panel toward the door. Once you get the clip screws in place, then install the upper forward and rear screws. (4 in the picture below).
Make sure the tabs are straight on the door and that the upper portion of the panel will slip over it. Then use a awe through the hole in the door panel clip and use it as a guide to pull the panel toward the door. Once you get the clip screws in place, then install the upper forward and rear screws. (4 in the picture below).
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From: Wellington, New Zealand
"The door panels being produced today are way better than those of 20 years ago".
Thank you Willcox, I guess this is what I have been wanting to hear. I really can't see these exisiting panels ever fitting properly, the original instalation was a bit of a hash job by PO, the cut outs for the window winders and door handle area is pretty rough.
Is Willcox able to give me a shipping quote for a pair of new panels if I place an order?
Thank you Willcox, I guess this is what I have been wanting to hear. I really can't see these exisiting panels ever fitting properly, the original instalation was a bit of a hash job by PO, the cut outs for the window winders and door handle area is pretty rough.
Is Willcox able to give me a shipping quote for a pair of new panels if I place an order?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Not to cause a lost sale for Willcox.
Please post a photo of your door panels straight on so I (we) can see them.
IF the lower front and rear clips (#5 in the picture Willcox posted) at the lower area are still in good shape and can actually hold the door panel to the door in those areas. For the money you can save.... putting a little time into it might be worth it.
DUB
Please post a photo of your door panels straight on so I (we) can see them.
IF the lower front and rear clips (#5 in the picture Willcox posted) at the lower area are still in good shape and can actually hold the door panel to the door in those areas. For the money you can save.... putting a little time into it might be worth it.
DUB
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From: Wellington, New Zealand
Hi DUB, thanks for the reply. I will post a photo tonight, my panels need to sit more forward on the door as well as sit over the top. PO cut rather large holes for the window winders, the cut on the drivers door is slightly exposed in front of the handle and this will only get worse if the panel moves forward. So Willcox might still get a sale yet.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Not to cause a lost sale for Willcox.
Please post a photo of your door panels straight on so I (we) can see them.
IF the lower front and rear clips (#5 in the picture Willcox posted) at the lower area are still in good shape and can actually hold the door panel to the door in those areas. For the money you can save.... putting a little time into it might be worth it.
DUB
Please post a photo of your door panels straight on so I (we) can see them.
IF the lower front and rear clips (#5 in the picture Willcox posted) at the lower area are still in good shape and can actually hold the door panel to the door in those areas. For the money you can save.... putting a little time into it might be worth it.
DUB
Sometimes it's not about the sale. I'll catch him on something else later hopefully.
Willcox
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 182
Likes: 14
From: Rangiora,New Zealand
Hi mr303, ring this guy he's just over the ditch from you(Blenheim) Dennis Robinson 03 578 1110, He's imports all corvette parts from the form sponsors and is a ball knowledge
I got new panels last year (landed to the door for less than 1k NZ)and yes they take a little work to fit but it is worth it
all good Dave NZ
I got new panels last year (landed to the door for less than 1k NZ)and yes they take a little work to fit but it is worth it
all good Dave NZ