Who's door panels did you buy ?? Can you post a pic ??
Very frustrated!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Very frustrated!
I've put thousands into restoring my 84 Corvette, thanks to the help of many of you out there on the forums. My interior is literally brand new now. The final frontier is putting the new door panels on. So, I received them in the mail, cut the speaker holes, inserted speakers perfectly, then went to put them on the door. One problem, they just don't seem to fit like they should. I can get the holes to match up, but there seems to be a lump or something in the middle that is not allowing me make the door panel be flush against the door like it should be. I worked on this for 4 hours today and got the panel on where it looks good enough, but its not correct. When you look at the door from the top, the gap between the window seals is an inch or more which is unnatural. I just can't seem to get the door panel to go over the top of that ridge like it's supposed too and yet still fit around the lock unlock button metal button. Any who has removed their door panels before probably knows what I'm talking about. Any advice or pictures or solutions to installing door panels on my car would be great. Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,322
Likes: 249
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
It does sound like the top is not hooking in. I usually have to manhandle that lock rod to get it through and still be hooked on top.
Double check your electrical connectors on back of panel. If they are not in a happy place, they can cause grief, too.
Double check your electrical connectors on back of panel. If they are not in a happy place, they can cause grief, too.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
I'm having incredible trouble trying to hook the panel in on top of the door. I can't seem to hook it and still be able to get the door lock **** in. I don't want to have to pay a professional for a potentially easy job.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
I bought them from Wilcox. Deluxe door panels. I put the passenger one on yesterday the correct way, and will be putting the drivers one on today or tomorrow. I am also using pre molded insulation I bought from Corvette Central. I will post some pictures soon.
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Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I have found that if you attach a 8" string to the J-shaped door lock bar, you can fish the string thru the door panel opening near the door pull and lock area. Pull on the string to fish the J- door lock bar thru the hole.
With regard to getting the top of the door panel to clip onto the steel door frame, you have to lift the door panel up about 3-4" above the sill and tilt the bottom of the panel out approximately 20-30 degrees and then drop/pull it down onto the steel fingers on the top edge. Once you get it hooked, use the string to fish the J-lock bar thru the hole. All this must be done with all the electrical plugs ATTACHED. Its best to get someone to help you hold the panel up while you attach the electrical connectors. You have to be somewhat of a contortionist to get this done. Its not easy and you have to be careful not to drop the panel and rip one of the wires out of the socket (I know this from first hand experience). Just be patient and fiddle with it - IT WILL COME TOGETHER.
With regard to getting the top of the door panel to clip onto the steel door frame, you have to lift the door panel up about 3-4" above the sill and tilt the bottom of the panel out approximately 20-30 degrees and then drop/pull it down onto the steel fingers on the top edge. Once you get it hooked, use the string to fish the J-lock bar thru the hole. All this must be done with all the electrical plugs ATTACHED. Its best to get someone to help you hold the panel up while you attach the electrical connectors. You have to be somewhat of a contortionist to get this done. Its not easy and you have to be careful not to drop the panel and rip one of the wires out of the socket (I know this from first hand experience). Just be patient and fiddle with it - IT WILL COME TOGETHER.
Last edited by pmihaltian; Jan 17, 2008 at 10:24 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
