OK, so the first post will be a little long. I'm working on a '73. I got doors when I got the shell, but not sure they are actually 1973 doors. Have been restoring for over 6 years now, and am ready to install door panels. I got a set of 3 piece panels for a '73. However, not all the holes seem to be the same on the panels and the doors. For example, at the bottom of the map pockets, you are supposed to install the metal squares and then put nylon christmas trees on, to insert and hold to the bottom of the door shell. I don't have any holes for the christmas trees, and only see a series of screw holes around the outer edge of the door shell. And, the top panel that has the window wipe, and goes down and is held on by 4 screws, lines up perfectly. I also have the correct holes for the door handle pulls that are part of the lower section, or map pocket part of the panels. Then, along the bottom of the middle panel, nothing seems to line up with the holes. Oh, and along the top edge of the middle panel, all the holes in the door are larger than the plastic inserts that the metal tabs are meant to push into. I'll try to find and post pictures, but am really lost. I hope somebody can tell me I'm correct in assuming the door isn't off of a 1973 (which wouldn't surprise me in the least), and can point me in the correct direction. Thanks in advance!!
Need Door Panel help!!!
- Thread starter DLY
- Start date
I just went through something similar putting 78 panels on a 72 door. Don't know why your holes for bottom fasteners are missing but you can drill the skin, I think a bit around .265" works for the plastic fasteners, test drill a scrap piece of sheet metal and try a fastener to make sure it fits properly, >265 worked for me but may be slightly different depending on who made your christmas trees. I would center the fasteners on the metal plate that holds them then put a dab of paint on the tip and push against door to mark where the hole goes. Same thing for the plastic inserts that the metal tabs go into to, holes size is .325". The bottom of the middle panel has I believe 2 or 3 screws that hold it to door, one each front edge and back edge and one more in the middle somewhere, you should have holes in the top of the lower map pocket that are countersunk for the screws. I would probably start by getting door panel set on the "fuzzie brackets" at the top, then work my way down front and rear edge, one fastener at a time drilling holes. If you screw up drilling a hole and it is far off, you can always put a piece of sheetmetal on the back of the door skin, held by a few pop rivets to give yourself a clean place to re-drill. Oh ya, forgot, I installed the door handle each time I put the panel to mark holes to make sure it was in the proper place.
Last edited:
Thanks for the tips! I woke up in the middle of the night last night, and thought that maybe the cone fasteners for the upper part of the middle panel actually mount thru the upper covers that start at the top? If so, and there are flat spots for the top of the map pockets, I may only need the location for the lower 4 christmas trees? I was thinking some paper to make an outline of the lower panel, with the holes in the correct location would make a "pattern" of sorts for drilling the holes? Would at least give me the location. I appreciate the guidance and the size recommendation for the holes. THANKS!!
