[XLR8STEVE]

Hey guys, need some help.
My door panels finally came from PUI and Ames after a long wait.
They are deluxe panels. I can't seem to get them to hook over the top of the door inner and those adjustable fuzzy strip brackets correctly. What's the trick? I tried adjusting those fuzzy brackets inboard but it didn't help. When it seems like it's hooked the bottom of the door panel sticks out and would have to be forced toward the door inner to fasten.
Do I have to bend the door panel top flanges to fit?

[400 4spd.]

Are they thick, molded hard plastic instead of the original material?

[XLR8STEVE]

Yes plastic with foam injection between the skin and the plastic. The metal angle that is supposed to hang on the door inner is stapled on. PUI made them (Al Knoch interiors)

[400 4spd.]

Originally Posted by XLR8STEVE

Yes plastic with foam injection between the skin and the plastic. The metal angle that is supposed to hang on the door inner is stapled on. PUI made them (Al Knoch interiors)

I got some of the same panels last year, purchased directly from A.K. I had them for several months before I found out what a disaster I had!
There are numerous problems with those panels, and the distortion is one of them. On the upper edge, the material is too thick to conform. Be prepared to trim/hollow out the upper section of the panel and to make alterations to the door itself along the inner top. That is just so the top stays on.
The bottoms are arched out away from the door (curved) and when fastened cause the top to jump off or stick out. My employee spent two full days getting those things to stay on and look good.
Were you able to get the bird emblems attached on yours?

[XLR8STEVE]

Thanks for the confirmation that these are going to be difficult. I may take them to a professional to install. I am NOT talented in upholstery or fitting these things.
I did get the bird emblem on. I pierced the holes and used speed nuts on back countersunk a little through the plastic. Not great but it works and looks fine.

[68tpls400]

The Al Knoch door panels fit like new. Many of the others fit as described in the other posts.

[400 4spd.]

Originally Posted by 68tpls400

The Al Knoch door panels fit like new. Many of the others fit as described in the other posts.

You've installed some that fit perfect? Who else is producing (not reselling) Deluxe panels? Mine came directly from Al Knoch, not through another vendor. The only reason they make them is because Camaros use the same part. I was expecting high quality because of the Corvette parts reputation. I learned differently though.
I had problems with the carpet they sent me being too narrow also, by at least 2" at the kick panels. One part they did a real nice job on was recovering the rear side panels.
The customer service rep, Lisa, told me that all products sold by them were manufactured in house, including carpet.

[silverbullet07]

Ames performance shows three venders. PUI, legendary and Al Knoch.

[gtobird]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

I got some of the same panels last year, purchased directly from A.K. I had them for several months before I found out what a disaster I had!
There are numerous problems with those panels, and the distortion is one of them. On the upper edge, the material is too thick to conform. Be prepared to trim/hollow out the upper section of the panel and to make alterations to the door itself along the inner top. That is just so the top stays on.
The bottoms are arched out away from the door (curved) and when fastened cause the top to jump off or stick out. My employee spent two full days getting those things to stay on and look good.
Were you able to get the bird emblems attached on yours?

Another OH Crap! I have two sets of red AK door panels that I bought years ago and will finally install one set this winter. The reason I have two sets is UPS damaged the bottom edge of one set just a tiny bit. You can't even see it unless you would look from the bottom edge up. Anyway, they were replaced by the supplier and UPS told me to keep the damaged set.

After reading this, I'm wondering what I should do. I had planned to sell the minor damaged set, but now I'm wondering if I should just experiment with those first to see what I need to do to get a good fit. I have already taken the undamaged set and cut out the holes for the power window switches and remote mirror estacheon. That was pretty easy.

I would greatly appreciate any details on how to go about making these things fit. For the record, I did lay the door panels on the outside of a door and did see the bowing that is being referenced. I never really tried to attach them.

I also have an original set of Ivy Gold door panels that are in quite good condition. No tears or cracks. I'm now wondering if I should just dye those and replace the carpet at the bottom. I've never liked the idea of dying a wear area on vinyl, but maybe that's the best route. I already have quarts of SEM vinyl dye that I can use to custom mix the right red color.

OJ

[XLR8STEVE]

I bought through Ames as a PUI door panel and they are Al Knoch products. Looked at them a little more last night. Drivers side fits like a glove. Passenger side does not. Take a look at the photo, I think this is the issue. Drivers side nice crisp angle at the top by the lock pull. Passenger has a sweep. Heard i have to try the heat gun on the back to move it. Also pics of how they hang with no modifications yet. Drivers side hangs nice. Passenger side held out and if you push the bottom, the top by the lock pops out.

[gtobird]

Originally Posted by XLR8STEVE

I bought through Ames as a PUI door panel and they are Al Knoch products. Looked at them a little more last night. Drivers side fits like a glove. Passenger side does not. Take a look at the photo, I think this is the issue. Drivers side nice crisp angle at the top by the lock pull. Passenger has a sweep. Heard i have to try the heat gun on the back to move it. Also pics of how they hang with no modifications yet. Drivers side hangs nice. Passenger side held out and if you push the bottom, the top by the lock pops out.

Good info. Please keep us posted as to how well you are able to fix this.

Thanks
OJ

[XLR8STEVE]

After stepping away and looking at it fresh, this is how I got the passenger door panel to fit reasonably well.

-Trimmed out the metal overhang to match where the fuzzy window support brackets and the bends on the door inner are located. They were off in 2 spots. The inside edge on the blue tape in the picture is where it will clear the brackets and the bends on the door inner.
-Originally, the rear fuzzy bracket had the inboard metal tab on it. This was hitting also. I cut it off. Drivers side did not need this to be cut.
-Trimmed out the slots where the clips attach to match the door better.

I did not bend or heat the panel. It still sticks up slightly by the passenger lock pull, but not too much to start messing with heating and bending.

[gtobird]

Originally Posted by XLR8STEVE

After stepping away and looking at it fresh, this is how I got the passenger door panel to fit reasonably well.

-Trimmed out the metal overhang to match where the fuzzy window support brackets and the bends on the door inner are located. They were off in 2 spots. The inside edge on the blue tape in the picture is where it will clear the brackets and the bends on the door inner.
-Originally, the rear fuzzy bracket had the inboard metal tab on it. This was hitting also. I cut it off. Drivers side did not need this to be cut.
-Trimmed out the slots where the clips attach to match the door better.

I did not bend or heat the panel. It still sticks up slightly by the passenger lock pull, but not too much to start messing with heating and bending.

Good work!!! This will certainly help me. I have a couple of further questions. I know you talk about heating and bending the panel. I'm wondering if instead of heating and bending you could take a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel and put horizontal slits in just the back plastic piece. Presumably that would allow the panel to bend inward easier. I realize that's also a gamble in that you don't want to damage the panel.

Also, I see you have power windows just as I do. I've already cut out the holes for the window switches but have not installed them. Were you able to get them to stay in place with the clip mechanisms for the switches?

Thanks
OJ

[XLR8STEVE]

Hi OJ, I don't know about the panel cutting. This was my only attempt at this.
I am going to leave it as is. The power window switches come with 2 clips. One has bend tabs to grip the back of the panel (sometimes they werent long enough so they were bent into the foam filler to grip). The second secures the switch into it. They stay pretty well. I decided not to cut and install the rear switches.