New door panel install, simple ... not!

[CG]

So I got Grumpy to sew me up some nice black door panels for my 68 GMC. The old ones were kinda beat up and tan. I actually put them on quite awhile ago, but I didn't have the black estuchens or the black arm rest/pulls.

Got me some NOS estuchens and some repro counterparts arm rests. The screws that hold in the bottom of the door panels were really rusty and I ended up breaking off the bolt parts they thread in to. Not really a big deal, I think heavy duty Velcro will work fine, no screw heads to look at. I just let them hang loose at the bottom when I put them in.

Went to Lowes today and got 10 feet of heavy duty indoor outdoor Velcro. Cleaned the doors and panels with alky, lined it all up and stuck em on. Popped on estuchens, window crank and door handle. So far easy peasy.

Opened up the new arm rests, oh nice they come with new screws. Little longer than OEM because of how they are built. Go to put them on, new screw would only go in a few threads. Took em off, squirted some WD in there, still no go. Tried the old screws without the are rest, no problem. Tried the new screws, no go. Threads look the same but I guess they just aren't. In the process of doing all this I twisted off one of the bolts the arm rest screws thread in to. I guess its in the bottom of the door somewhere. My arm wont go in there so Ill never know. Not really sure how to deal with this, nothing to screw in to now. Probably something at Lowes I can figure out how to make work.

But after an hour of monkeying around with what I thought would be a simple project. I locked up my truck with all the junk just laying inside. Maybe Ill look at it tomorrow. Why is it we like messing with this old stuff?

[gable74]

Been there, that stinks. Just a suggestion but I have a flexible magnet pen for dropped screws, assuming the screw wasn't aluminum or stainless . Its about 18" long and can get into some pretty tight spots. Its like $5 at harbor Freight. Should pull that screw right out of there so no rattles.

[CG]

Haha, I was so frustrated over probably one of the simplest things to do to our trucks (and I managed to screw it up) I forgot, I have one of those magnets on a stick ... duh, lol.

[midniteblues]

Since you kinda have the panels off now would be a good time too do a lil' extra work in there.
lube all the inner mechs.
sound deadner and vapor barrier.

I usually use the door panels as a rough templet and cut some heavy mill plastic and 2 face tape them too the door for moisture control.

I hear Peel and seal from lowes works good for sound deadner.

Grease and oil window rollers,regulator and inner door latches&lock assem.

A good flush of the inner bottoms and a coat of your fav. Rust control is allways a good idea too.



.

[CG]

Yeah I considered doing the whole clean, lube, and insulate thing, but these doors are temporary. Rusted out along the bottom. The door panels were built with water proof board. So until (if) I ever get around to putting my better doors on Ill just live with them.

[57larry]

let's see some pics of your new door panels please

[CG]

Ill see if I have better luck with the drivers side door tomorrow and post em up.

[FirstOwner69]

If all the screws supplied with the arm rests don't fit, could they be metric?

[midniteblues]

I gotcha. Doors are allways a pita.

Sounds like the arm rests might be a lmc product since they know these trucks so well.

If you want too stay with screws through the panel license plate nuts should work well.

velcro sounds like a good idea also,been thinkin on doing this in my camaro those door panel clips are truly a pita.

[CG]

Originally Posted by midniteblues

I gotcha. Doors are allways a pita.

Sounds like the arm rests might be a lmc product since they know these trucks so well.

If you want too stay with screws through the panel license plate nuts should work well.

velcro sounds like a good idea also,been thinkin on doing this in my camaro those door panel clips are truly a pita.

I think Lowes have something like the license plate nuts. I really like the arm rests. Just a screw problem. They are Counterparts .. No idea if LMC uses the same ones.

[midniteblues]

Originally Posted by CG

I think Lowes have something like the license plate nuts. I really like the arm rests. Just a screw problem. They are Counterparts .. No idea if LMC uses the same ones.

Ok i wouldnt use the plastic plate nuts for the arm rest though there can be too much stress on them at times.

Im sure thats what lmc would sell also. Im sure the rests are just fine.

Even though this isnt the correct item or size they make nut serts similar too these that should work for the rests and panels.
seems like you just need the correct size thread/screw/bolt for the rests though.

On my camaro arm rest/door pulls they use crappy screws over the yrs. The holes kept opening up till i had a huge screw too hold them in.
I reworked the inner door slightly too be able too use a j nut
like this. Only the ones i used had a longer "j" part.

[57larry]

let's see some pics of the new door panels

[CG]

Ill post up some pics soon as they are done. I didn't end up going back out to work on the other side yesterday. Just got home from work and am veg'ing in front of the TV watching the Mariner's VS Yankees.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by CG

But after an hour of monkeying around with what I thought would be a simple project. I locked up my truck with all the junk just laying inside. Maybe Ill look at it tomorrow. Why is it we like messing with this old stuff?

I keep telling myself how much fun I'm having!

Gary

[snycal]

********stupid question alert**********

What sound deadner are we refering too? Is it homemade or purchased and cut? Tia Lisa

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

The threads are wrong. Don't screw up your door nuts. On topic, I just received one of these today, and glad I did.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291772516904...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

One of these as well. Good bye tape measure:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171977494280...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[snycal]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

The threads are wrong. Don't screw up your door nuts. On topic, I just received one of these today, and glad I did.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291772516904...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

One of these as well. Good bye tape measure:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171977494280...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Thanks, I just bought the first one you linked. Helpful for sure...

[webfoot]

I tried Velcro for holding up aftermarket door panels and it didn't work very well. It warped like crazy once it got kinda warm out and they sagged down a good bit. Ended up ditching all of it and using screws.
Posted via Mobile Device

[cruisinthe34]

Your bolts are a different thread than the capture nuts. They SHOULD be 1/4 x 20 bolts

[special-K]

Things I find myself mumbling to myself at times...while working on vehcles:

"I volunteered for this sh*t??"

"I'm out here getting nowhere trying to get something done. Might as well have sat on the couch eatin' chips watchin' TV!"

"Hey, a new dance! One step forward and three steps back!"

[CG]

Originally Posted by webfoot

I tried Velcro for holding up aftermarket door panels and it didn't work very well. It warped like crazy once it got kinda warm out and they sagged down a good bit. Ended up ditching all of it and using screws.
Posted via Mobile Device

On the 68's the door panel slips up under the chrome strip that is attached to the door, so that keeps everything along the top from moving or warping out.

Then the door handle and window crank keep it in place a little above the middle.

The arm rest / door pull is actually screwed in to the door which keep the door panel anchored solidly.

This Velcro has a ten pound rating, is wide and pretty thick heavy plastic. Not the cloth type you usually see. Time will tell on this stuff.

[jeffahart]

Here's a trick for getting small nuts and stuff out of places you can't reach your arm. Problem with telescopic magnets is they grab onto body parts.

Take a piece of screen, like window screen. Put it over the end of your shop vac hose. Then put your hose accessory/attachment on over the screen. You can vacuum up the part. When you turn off the vacuum the part will drop out of the hose attachment onto the floor. A good shop vac has a good amount of suction.

[CG]

A good idea that never occurred to me. We do have a pretty stout shop vac. Wonder what other stuff will come up from the bowels of the bottom of the door?

[GOPAPA]

Never know until your magnitize or suck it out to see Mark,, I found a magnet at the bottom of my passenger door that was a old Farmers Insurance magnet and it proved that my truck came from lower California because AS it had a old phone number from that area and city

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Here's a trick for getting small nuts and stuff out of places you can't reach your arm. Problem with telescopic magnets is they grab onto body parts.

Take a piece of screen, like window screen. Put it over the end of your shop vac hose. Then put your hose accessory/attachment on over the screen. You can vacuum up the part. When you turn off the vacuum the part will drop out of the hose attachment onto the floor. A good shop vac has a good amount of suction.

Great idea. I made an accessory for other uses that would work in the tight places. 5/8" OD hose on a more better Kirby accessory. If even smaller is needed, just insert a vacuum hose into the 5/8" hose.