72 Blazer side panel help

[SamMargritz00]

I need some ideas for what to do for the rear side panels of my 72. I had the CST chrome strips that went on the side but they were in rough shape so i dont think im going to use them. The original panels were in horrible condition so i tossed them out. I want them to be somewhat easy to take off and put back on due to the double wall hard top. it would be nice to have it clean the whole way (no holes or anything) Im wanting to get it covered in a leather type material to match my seats. any ideas or pictures will help. thx.

[NuBomb]

I have a single-wall top, so I don't have to worry about access, but I did use my chrome strips. Mine were in rough shape so I had them blasted and powdercoated black.

I made mine with diamond plate aluminum, but others have used vinyl and such. Do a search here in the blazer forum and you should see a few.

[SamMargritz00]

ive actually seen some pictures on posts here using a spacer of some sort which looks like a good idea, but i have no idea how it would stay fastened.

[tubbedII]

If ease of access is the primary concern, I've seen the hook and loop route used. The one I'm referring to had the panels extend further than normal (all the way to the doors in the front and all the way to the tailgate in the rear) so it had a full strip from top to botton. If you have the risers on the sides, you can put a patches there. As for the top, it's still try to use the chrome strips (after getting them refinished) to keep them securely in place.

If I ever find a set of risers, I'm going to attempt this route...as long as I don't decide to toss some speakers in it, then it'll probably have to be more secure.

[SamMargritz00]

I'm taking it into the interior shop hopefully soon, still trying to get this fuel injected 5.3 wired up, maybe he'll have some ideas, but I am putting a 6 inch speaker in on each panel so ill see what happens.
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[SamMargritz00]

And when I say easy to take off, I don't want to take the panel apart in different sections, I want it in one whole piece if that makes sense.
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[Erik V]

Mine are stock panels, but with the mounts removed from inside the boxsides, then the insert pushed outwards. Its a little tricky to get the bolts started, but they dont need removed to get the hard top on and off (not that its been on since 1996 anyways).

I'm thinking about redo'ing them someday, making them flush mount with a SS piano style hinge mounted low so they can tip outwards to get to the hard top bolts. Also mount some more speakers/subs in the back corners and retain access to those.

Erik

[VA72C10]

I had an upholstry shop make these....heavy duty velcro holds the top in. It's a tight pressure fit at the bottom. and the ends have upholstry clips like on modern door panels that are hidden. Note the extra piece of wood at the top to hide the recessed area of the bedsides.









and...Here's a video I took

[SamMargritz00]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

I had an upholstry shop make these....heavy duty velcro holds the top in. It's a tight pressure fit at the bottom. and the ends have upholstry clips like on modern door panels that are hidden. Note the extra piece of wood at the top to hide the recessed area of the bedsides.









and...Here's a video I took

this is exactly what i had in mind. thanks for the info.

[themb2g]

Has anyone tried using ABS plastic sheeting to make their panels? I found a company that can cut them to the right dimensions, and then you would just need to take them to an upholstery shop to upholster them.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by themb2g

Has anyone tried using ABS plastic sheeting to make their panels? I found a company that can cut them to the right dimensions, and then you would just need to take them to an upholstery shop to upholster them.

Don't do it !! ABS is not flat and will not make a nice looking panel. ABS is only good for panels if it's vacuum formed.

[themb2g]

Originally Posted by hemi43

Don't do it !! ABS is not flat and will not make a nice looking panel. ABS is only good for panels if it's vacuum formed.

does it depend on the thickness of the ABS? it seems like a particle board or any other type would also flex.

http://www.tapplastics.com/product/p...o_size_plastic

[JJH Jimmy]

I made mine out of 1/8" HDPE plastic sheet i got from Menards and then had my upholsterer cover them with the same material he used on the seats. I was worried that they would distort when they got hot in the sun but so far they have held up very well.

Page 9 of my build thread has a few more pictures.

[tubbedII]

I was going to use 1/8" MDF for mine so I could cut out the patterns I was hoping to make as well. Then pre-drill all the mounting holes and cover with fiberglass resin on both sides to make it water proof before wrapping material over it all.

[notsolo]

I made mine out of 1/2" pvc, Home centers( sometimes Home Depot has it. AZEK is the brand name comes 4 x 8 sheet, about $80.00 will do both sides. I glued and shaped a thicker piece same stuff with pvc cement on top to match the contour. Also Painted mine adhesion promoter and Urethane paint.