stock doors with modern door panels

[nrb's70gmc]

When i get to the project, i want to have a ultra modern interior and one of my questions is.

if i use a inner door panel from a newer truck (2006+) and (besides the cutting & art work involved to do it)

with the newer truck panels, the location of the inside door handle will be moved

basiclly i want to know if this would be a fairly staight forward project, to connect the old with the new, make the new door handle work with the stock door latch?

sorry if its confusing i did'nt know how to explain it. i have not had my door panels off before so i can visaulize it. are the stock inner door panels cable opperated? in 67-72 trucks?

[Arad68]

They have metal linkage.

[71blksuper4x4]

I would say it would be a lot of work to do that. You'd be better off to try and make custom door panels out of fiberglass and wrap in whatever you want. The door mechanics are rod operated. Trevor

[Zoomin]

How about converting to electric using a 3rd party kit?

[nrb's70gmc]

i want to do power locks, and windows as well-i guess i will need to wait to get a good look at a door with out the panel on it to figure out my game plan.

[Smallz72project]

Im sure it can be done, probably have to modify the newer panel more then the door itself though...but in regards to the linkage you could probably set up a method for it to work with a couple cams. Picture kinda shows a little better of what I mean, the red is obviously the handle and the door latch, blue is your linkage, metal triangles are the cams and the arrows indicate which way the rod would be pushed or pulled....just an idea that might help you along your way. Another way might be to take the door inner framing/skin off of a new truck and weld it into the 67-72 door frame and just relocate your striker on the B pillar?? Best of luck with it.

[nrb's70gmc]

thanks for that, that is just what i needed to see, it will be a while yet, but know i have more of an idea. Thanks

[idonutn0]

How about this idea, take the late model door, cut out the metal where the modern door panels, handles and window regulator are with all of this still attached, then use this as a template to cut up your 67-72 door, cut that out and weld the late model metal in. This way the late model mounts for everything are in place and all you have to figure out is how to attach the late model door handle to the older door release and the push lock mechanism.
It would be a LOT of work but it might be pretty cool and see some late model S-10 style door panels on one of our trucks.

[nrb's70gmc]

Ya that was some what my idea, because i also want to do the same thing with the outside door handle (move it down and use late model flush mounted door handles) so it would be a project lol, but you can build anything with the right tools.