K5 rear interior side panels- stock or custom?

[swyfor5]

Planning my 1970 K5 resto, and I am thinking of building custom side panels. The originals and mounting hardware are gone. I have seen some made out of aluminum diamond plate that looked good. Have to consider factors like- access to remove my double wall top bolts from the bottom, and possible speaker mounts. Anybody got any ideas, or pic's on this project?

[bouncytruck]

If you make them out of diamond plate, you could hinge the upper portion for access to the bolts. I've also hear of guys using lighter weight upholstered panels with velcro holding them in place.

[fun in dirt]

I did the diamond plate thing & so far so good. I have a single wall top, but just regular nuts & flats on the bottom so I also have to have access when get ready to remove it. However the panels are held in with sheet metal screws, so just take them out & panel will lay out enough to get to them. Don't have to completely remove the panel from truck.
Sheets of diamond tread are getting pricey though & you can do it cheaper with board nad upholstery. My reasons for the aluminum was it's easier to keep clean and most of all don't have to worry about it ever deteriorating because of weather conditions (sun/water)
That's my take on it, but go with whatever suites your style!

[Long Roof]

I have bare sides now but plan on doing the diamond plate. I am also going for durability and speaker mounting. Custom fabric sides would be the cheapest but if you want stock looking replacements I think they are like 4 bills.

[Mint68]

I think it depends on the style of resto you are doing. If everything is bone stock, use original style replacements. If not bone stock, its a toss up. I like the original ones best, but they are not the most durable item ever.

[swyfor5]

Right on, guy's. I think I'm gonna go with the d plate. I am not really going for the stock resto in this department. I like the stock look in some aspects of my project, but I'm also going to replace weak stock items with better items. Any ideas on how to cut the d plate to size easily? I figure if GM would have used something like this back then it would still be there now!

[LUV2XCLR8]

I have a brand new pair of the repro's, not sure if I am going that route yet.
I like the diamond plate, but it's kind of heavy, would help with flex though.

[Long Roof]

I'm pretty sure you can get the dplate in 1/8" alum and I know you can get it in 3/16 so it shouldn't be to heavy. I would probably cut it with a saber saw.

[stokers]

I also like the diamond plate look. Does anyone have a template, stencil or measurements for the panel? Do you recommend just cutting it as close as you can and then trim as needed?
Thanks,

[fun in dirt]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Any ideas on how to cut the d plate to size easily?

I got a big piece of cardboard (like a refrigerator box or what replacement panels come in at the body shop panels) and cut it out til I liked the fit. Then trace that onto the aluminum. Cut it out with a jigsaw & squirt alot of WD40 on it helps too!

[swyfor5]

Anybody got more pic's? Looking for how you mount the d/plate. I know you can just screw it to the top bedside, but what about at the bottom? Thank's guy's.

[fun in dirt]

I went to Lowes & got a stick of 1/2" aluminum angle. Then cut it to fit & pop-riveted it on the floor in front of & behind the wheel well. Then screwed the bottom part of my panel into that. It worked good and the panel doesn't vibrate at all. (I don't have a pic of that on my computer but can take a few if your interested and this explanation is clear as mud)

[swyfor5]

Thank's fun in dirt. I get it now. Think this is the way I'll go. Anybody else got pic's of your setup?