Door Panels
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 13
From: Kingman AZ
Door Panels
Has anyone had a good experience installing aftermarket door panels. I had a heck of a time and its still not nice. Grippers are new and dont hold, panel is not formed well. I wont name the vendor until I allow them to address this.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 566
Likes: 64
From: Sebastian,FL
I replaced mine on my 77, purchased from corvette America. Not sure your situation but I bought the base panel and transferred my trim. Only issue I experienced was that the u shape trim was a small bit to long and I had to trim the ends down. As far as fit it is flush to the door. Not sure if it made any difference but I let the panel get good and warm before I attatched everything. In my head atleast it seemed a lot more plyable than when it was stone cold fresh out of the box
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 792
I replaced mine on my 77, purchased from corvette America. Not sure your situation but I bought the base panel and transferred my trim. Only issue I experienced was that the u shape trim was a small bit to long and I had to trim the ends down. As far as fit it is flush to the door. Not sure if it made any difference but I let the panel get good and warm before I attatched everything. In my head atleast it seemed a lot more plyable than when it was stone cold fresh out of the box
Good Luck!
RVZIO
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
Doing mine right now. Have same problem danh77 had. The aftermarket parts suck. The vinyl covering seems really thin to. You would think for what they cost the quailty would be better.Compartment door pulls I bought looked like they were sewed by a blind man one pulled apart about the 3rd pull.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 13
From: Kingman AZ
It was 90 degrees today. Panel sat for 30 minutes in hot sun. as I also had to trim the detail parts to fit.Nothing lines up. To install pulls I had to search with a drill bit and then fish. Had to pull teeth. Its terrible. I wonder if Al Knoch is better. I spent a ton of bucks and did the trim crap...etc etc...Its not the money. I want my stuff looking good...At this point I need some 4 inch self tapping screws with interior button heads to lock it down.
Last edited by rayluka; Jun 3, 2016 at 12:24 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 13
From: Kingman AZ
This weekend is gonna be hot. When the doors are closed it forces all the gaps out. (traps and squeezes in place where it belongs. Since its gonna be a hot one...... 100 plus. I will let it sit outside this weekend. Will also monitor inside temps with IR just because I am able to. Will contact vendor and report back.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 792
This weekend is gonna be hot. When the doors are closed it forces all the gaps out. (traps and squeezes in place where it belongs. Since its gonna be a hot one...... 100 plus. I will let it sit outside this weekend. Will also monitor inside temps with IR just because I am able to. Will contact vendor and report back.
Just saying!
RVZIO
Last edited by SB64; Jun 3, 2016 at 05:16 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Per Richards suggestion I bought these to replace the Velcro.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tnl-97602-4
Waiting from them to arrive.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tnl-97602-4
Waiting from them to arrive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,874
Likes: 3,551
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Per Richards suggestion I bought these to replace the Velcro.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tnl-97602-4
Waiting from them to arrive.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tnl-97602-4
Waiting from them to arrive.
I got my other ones today- as they were BOUm- your not the only one- and this guy "Denpo" -I would just have to guess- a pretty patient guy as he's done some incredible work.
Read this post if you want to feel any better...as he broke his!!!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1592323703
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 13
From: Kingman AZ
Lemme know how that goes. Otherwise I'm gonna be searching the earth for long azz button head screws. If I could get 3 more for each panel that are 4 inches long, I could anchor everything and be happy. Just want it to look normal. Try and find a 4 inch button head
Ps the vendor is popular and I don't believe its a vendor specific problem so I wont name them.. Just no one can make a really good NOS part. I have talked to people who have bought Al Knoch parts which are supposed to be top notch and they have the same issues. Just hard to replicate the original product I guess. Thanks guys for your comments..and if anyone knows where to get interior screws 4 inches long...give me a holler....
Ps the vendor is popular and I don't believe its a vendor specific problem so I wont name them.. Just no one can make a really good NOS part. I have talked to people who have bought Al Knoch parts which are supposed to be top notch and they have the same issues. Just hard to replicate the original product I guess. Thanks guys for your comments..and if anyone knows where to get interior screws 4 inches long...give me a holler....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
I was just cussin mine yesterday. I thought it was just the car fighting me. I looked all over my side of the world for those screws no luck. Also the holes in the panel for the upper front screw not even close to where my old one was. My first Vette a 74 didn't have that screw and it was the factory panel.Maybe those were a GM fix.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
Lemme know how that goes. Otherwise I'm gonna be searching the earth for long azz button head screws. If I could get 3 more for each panel that are 4 inches long, I could anchor everything and be happy. Just want it to look normal. Try and find a 4 inch button head
Google ALBANY COUNTY FASTENERS. They have #10 stainless sheet metal screws (SMS) in panhead, 4 inch. They polish up nicely. May also have other sizes/styles. GOOD LUCK!!!
Google ALBANY COUNTY FASTENERS. They have #10 stainless sheet metal screws (SMS) in panhead, 4 inch. They polish up nicely. May also have other sizes/styles. GOOD LUCK!!!
Last edited by Rotonda; Jun 5, 2016 at 06:50 AM. Reason: addition