I've been wrestling with my door panels for a while now, trying to find decent replacement parts. Related to that, I've been working on a way to make the interior door panel a single piece (map pocket, speaker grill, arm rest) so that it's more easily removable.
Gumby's solving the problem a different way.
While the stock TC interior is pretty nice, I'm wondering if anyone has done a custom door panel? Or if anyone has an ideas they'd like to share?
Eventually I will build some for the convertible...until then I'm stuck with the premium "high series" panels, which do look nice customized, but are a real bear to remove/replace.
You could try a Mark VII door panel, which physically has the same dimensions as our doors. The only problem is that the Mark VII dash is inset a little more than ours, so using that door panel with our dashes makes it a tight fit. REAL tight. And it squeaks like you wouldn't believe. Fortunately the door panels are padded with a lot of foam in that area; that can be shaved down easily. You'd have to get the whole door panel recovered with material but that's custom anyhow so...there ya go. They are a little stark...in other words, they don't have a whole lot of personality, and there's a lot of empty space involved, but they are different and meet your criteria. The pull handle, especially, is nicer than what we have. You'd also have to custom make a panel to cover up where the power seat switches are on the Mark VII door panel. That's no biggie. Door handle lines up like our cars, and I think the power door look switch even hooks up to our wiring. To me, it's the logical thing to do, although as you can see it does require some modification.
Eric,
Thanks for the response. I didn't know that the Mark door panels would fit. So much stuff does and so much doesn't and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason.
I was thinking about something new/different that is thematically consistent with the stock interior - imagine using the skills of "pimp my ride" except that it's tastefully bling-free. For that, some Mark doors might make a good starting point.
This is only a ruff start.I just don,t which way to go.Plus I am not sure how to attach them to the panel.
Not sure what I'm seeing in the pics. Did you create a new insert for the upright panel (the brown part), or modify the one lying flat?
The brown one is made of wood that was stained.The blue is wood covered with vinyl.
Velcro would be a great way to attach the panel to the door. We use alot of Velcro in the airline industry.
that was gonna be my suggestion as well.
i used rivets, but ive been told not everyone likes that look :D
Attached is a sketch of what I was thinking about doing, sort of.
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14852&stc=1&d=1201745762
Room for more speakers so there's better choices available than what will fit in the factory dash. Grill over speakers, y/n? Different mount for the pull strap - maybe, maybe not because the factory straps are well located. Vent registers routed from the dash through the doors so that they are easier to reach. More lights under the arm rest to provide indirect interior lighting. Lights and reflectors on the door facing rearward for when the door is open. Handle in stock location so the door panel is a bolt-in. Bigger map pocket integrated with arm rest so the door panel is one piece. Provisions for door lock and window controls on the door.*
Feel free to critique. I'm really undecided as to which direction to go on this.
* I'm a fan of the controls being mounted on the center console.
Gumby,
It's your car, so do what you want (duh!). Personally, I think rivets and sheet metal are cool, give yours a nice street-fighter edge that we don't normally see with a TC.
;)
are you gonna build these from scratch?
are you plannin to flush mount the speakers? if so...
are you considering clearances/openings behind the door panel(speakers etc.) when you set your placements?
- almost surely,
if I build them
- maybe not for the bigger one, for sure not the smaller one
- yes, as well as leg/foot clearance
For me, the issue would be doing something that works well, matches the original fit/finish, and integrates well with the remaining stock/factory components.
Hmm, I get the feeling that the rivet comment was directed toward me, Gumby! Am I sensing a bit of resentment? :hick: LOL
As far as the door panels with fit and construction, try checking out some upholstery videos on youtube...?
Also, I'd definitely go with grills over the speakers for two main reasons. 1. Someone will probably kick one or something you're transporting on the floor will tip over and 2. I think a more finished, factory look is much better, no grills looks unfinished to me.