New door panel install, what a job!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
From: Bend, Oregon
New door panel install, what a job!!!!!!
I just finished installing new panels on my 74 coupe. I worked a total of 12 hours not counting the transfer of the old deluxe trim. Nothing fit. I ended up making some not so easy fixes. To get the panels to line up with the door handles and lock, I had to reposition the threaded weld bolts for the door pulls. Then I had to grind away part of the inside panel to allow enough room to attach the window cranks and door lever. This is after I tried to take the warp out of each panel.(about a 2-3 inch diference between the top and the bottom when the top was secured) I had to reposition and fiberglass the retaining clips on each panel to match the holes in the doors. The instructions said these were the finest quality reproduction panels in existence. I am glad I did not get the cheep ones.....And yes they were confirmed to be the right panels.
Garson
Garson
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
From: Bend, Oregon
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (joeveto)
The were from auto accessories of america that were purchased from Ecklers...I would like to know if there is a better one out there.
Garson
Garson
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (Garson)
Sorry you had such a hard time with the door panels. I am in the process now of gathering interior for mine too. Hopefully my attemp will go a little easier.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (Garson)
I have the same crappy panels. Well they look ok but the fit is just as bad as you described. The warp you mention was my biggest problem (still is). Did you manage to straighten them somehow (or has anybody else done that)?? I'm thinking about trying to soften the backing with heat gun..
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 279
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (Garson)
The were from auto accessories of america that were purchased from Ecklers...I would like to know if there is a better one out there.
Garson
Garson
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Dyersburg TN
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (KenSny)
auto acc of america = corvette america , I had problems with mine also , but they are on , and I've moved on to the next PIA project (the dash)
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (Todbo)
I had a similar experience with mine from Corvette America; or at least the drivers side. The passengers side was ok, but the drivers was WAY off in terms of the curvature and thus came up short on the bottom. I ended up cutting away a lot of the backing plastic and heating with a heat gun. I heated and bent, heated and bent until I got it to fit reasonably well. That backing plastic is way too thick and doesn't give at all. The originals are chipboard which may be crap, but it bends some. I did have very good luck with one of their dash pads and pillars though. They popped right on and fit great. Go figure :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (R. Bruno)
Oh man, I baught my C.E. door panels from Ecklers. They've been sitting in my room for a year waiting for all the other work to be done. I thought they'd just screw on in like 20 min. Ugh!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (SuprJames)
Oh man, I baught my C.E. door panels from Ecklers. They've been sitting in my room for a year waiting for all the other work to be done. I thought they'd just screw on in like 20 min. Ugh!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (Garson)
I got standard door panels from ZIP for my 73 and the fit was pretty good with no major hassles during install.
[Modified by Fevre, 1:26 PM 2/17/2004]
[Modified by Fevre, 1:26 PM 2/17/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,327
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (Fevre)
I found that the problem with Corvette America door panels is that they are not deep enough on the back side.
I do a lot of Corvette interior restorations at work and the door panels always give me trouble. Most times I need to enlarge the opening for the door lock **** and the panels go on.
Remember Nothing fits Like OEM!!!!
[Modified by Corvette ED, 7:15 PM 2/17/2004]
I do a lot of Corvette interior restorations at work and the door panels always give me trouble. Most times I need to enlarge the opening for the door lock **** and the panels go on.
Remember Nothing fits Like OEM!!!!
[Modified by Corvette ED, 7:15 PM 2/17/2004]
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 468
Likes: 10
From: NE Georgia GA
Re: New door panel install, what a job!!!!!! (Garson)
As a fellow '74 owner, and having struggled with these piece of crap "fine" reproduction door panels, I feel your pain. These things just flat out don't fit right! If I get mine to fit over the lip around the top of the door, then the bottom sticks way out. As someone mentioned, these things are clearly warped. And don't even get me started on the overall cheapness of the panel; that ribbed insert looks/feels NOTHING like the original. :mad
