Custom rear panels

[skid]

I was going to reply to the other panel thread, but didn't want to change the subject, or hijack the thread.

Has anyone built custom side panels for their Blazer? I am going to build my own panels with built in speakers and storage areas and am interested in looking at other's efforts for ideas. More specifically, I am interested in how the panels are mounted to the body, and exterior finishes (vinyl, leather or carpet, etc.).

I have a double wall top, and would need access to the bolts from under the bed flange. How did the factory address this problem? How did the factory mount the side panels?

Any and all pictures would be appreciated!

[meathead95]

i am going to make some for min using waterproof card board that my upholstery guy has. then at the top op the bedside i am going to use small pieces of velcro to attach it and ill weld some 1 inch plates at the bottom for the velcro to attach to as well

[earl87gta]

Origanaly thier is a chrome strip like the 67-71 door pannels has that holds the top of the pannel and then it has screws at the bottom just like the door pannels . I can try to get you some pics tomarrow. for the dubble wall top you had to remove the pannels to remove the top. Im re doing mine with with a plastic pannel you can get from lowes its smooth and has little bumps on the other. Im going to have it covered in the same black vinel as my door pannels.

[skid]

Thanks for the replies!

Meathead95, I was thinking of using 1/8 angle on the bed for mounting the bottom of the panels, and screwing into the top bed flange. I would use something like sheet metal screws for that. Velcro is an interesting idea!

Earl87gta, I would be interested in seeing your pictures. Also, if Lowes has a website with these panels, could you give me their URL?

Fiberboard? I was thinking of using 3/4 plywood, at least for the speaker boxes (12 inch sub and two 6x9's). I may re-think that.

[meathead95]

yeah i am going to use velcro. it will be more thatn enough to hold the panels and i think the screws showing looks like sh!t

[earl87gta]

Here are a few pics of the orginal mounting hard ware I didnt get a chance to take a pic of the pannels Im making. I used my cell phone so the pics are a little ruff.

[earl87gta]

pic 2 you can see the angle sheet metal that held it at the bottom and on the side. and the mount ware it bolted on.

[earl87gta]

pic 3 the mount that it screws to.

[earl87gta]

here a some pics of the chrome trip that holds them at the top they are just a longer vertion of the door pannel moldings. Im going to have them rechromed.

[earl87gta]

next.

[meathead95]

my b;azer came with those strips but no side panels. go figure

[earl87gta]

Here is one of the door pannels I had made the rear pannels will look just like this.

[earl87gta]

If you decide you dont want to use the strips let me know Im looking for a set for my new blazer.

[skid]

Earl, thanks for the pictures! Cellphone pictures??!! Damn!

[junkyardjohn]

Originally posted by earl87gta
If you decide you dont want to use the strips let me know Im looking for a set for my new blazer.

EARL .. I MAY HAVE AN EXTRA SET. I'LL LOOK TOMORROW. P.M. ME IF INTERESTED JOHN

[earl87gta]

Originally posted by skid
Earl, thanks for the pictures! Cellphone pictures??!! Damn!

Im an eng for sprint so my wife thinks we have to get all the cool new cell toys when they come out. They do pritty good for a quick pic but the resolution could be better some of the PDA style phones take an external camra that they may come out with a better camra for.

[red71cheyenne]

Those door panels look nice Earl! How did you get them to look pleated like that? I am going to do the same thing to mine when I get to that point. Jeff.

[earl87gta]

I have a friend that redoes car interior and he sawed them up for me it is vianel ssticked to a 1/4 fome backing I streched it over my origanal panels and glewed it to them wasnt that bad he charged me 50 to do my visors and stich the pleats in to the vinal for the pannels. He is going to start doing the rear panels soon if you like I can see what he would sell a set to you for I think he usaly only charges 100 for both pannels if he does the glewing to the panel.

[red71cheyenne]

Absolutely! I'll send you a sample of my vinyl when I get close to needing the door panels done. We'll see if he can match it, if not I will just get some more from Tim. I'm still trying to get the cowl put back on the cab right now, and of course being at sea isn't speeding the process up any. Thanks, Jeff.

[earl87gta]

No problem when you get ready let me know. What branch ar eoyu in Navy, Marines just wondering I was a marine for 8 years.

[red71cheyenne]

I'm Navy. I'm a Chief on the Carl Vinson. Been Navy for about 14 years, before that I was a grunt in the Army for 7 years.

[Mike C]

I built my own. Actually these are the second set. First lasted 10 years but were looking a little worn. Also like this new speaker location better. I removed the chrome rail from the top but left the standoffs. I left the sheet metal supports that are screwed to the bed and rear uprights for attaching the stock panels. In the front the stock panel is curved out and goes over the flat vertical piece behind the door. On my panels, it slips in behind. I drilled an oversized hole in the front, then used a sheet metal screw into the wood panel to hold it out. The panels were fabbed up from cardboard templates, then covered with black vinyl. I attached with stainless sheet metal screws and trim washers. To the bedside at the top and to the sheet metal braces at the floor and tailgate.

[skid]

Mike, that's along the lines of what I want to do. However, instead of using a flat panel, I was going to bulge it out in the middle by the wheel wells with both ends narrowing to the original panel mount points. This would serve to aim the speakers forward a bit, and leave room to mount a 12 inch sub woofer in the rear. In the middle by the wheel wells, I would build a hinged storage compartment, with maybe some drink holders on the top for the rear passengers. This would also remove some of the road noise from the rear tires. Just a few thoughts I had anyways.

Too bad my wife says I have to finish the wood working on my basement project before I can work on the Blazer.

[red71cheyenne]

Think I will probably go the same route as you Mike. Cover 1/4 in plywood with vinyl that I have Earl's buddy stitch. Might do the speaker thing or go with the underseat pioneers like I have in the truck. Those one's you are talking about will be real nice Skid. If I wasn't going for the restored look, those would be sweet with the cupholders and subs in them. Post pics when you get them going! Jeff.

[earl87gta]

I thought abought doing something like that but I want to have an origanl look and feel to it all thought I did up grade on the saeting I had a set of seats out of a minie van redone in the black pleated vinal so Now I have a hyback seat with arm rests and the passenger seat has a locking compartment under neith of it. I also took the back seat and the mounts for it and have started to put them in the blazer so the back seat will lay down and with a push of a button it comes right out if I need the extra cargo space.