New Door Panel Installation Question

[Christopher J. Bunsey]

I purchased 2 new deluxe panels from Al Knoch for my 76. I put all my original trim on them, but there are not any mounting holes drilled in the panels!!! Is this something I need to take to an interior shop to have installed? If so, does anyone know of a reputable shop in the Cleveland Ohio Area?

Many Thanks!

[Jim T.]

Re: New Door Panel Installation Question

Have you contacted Al Knoch about the panel?

[Jack H.]

That's typical....

of everybody's 'basic' door panel! Ad text reads like, "Just move your existing trim over" and when you get the panels there are no holes to accommodate the trim... It's an unexpected job, holding trim pieces in place, marking holes for the crimp tabs, drilling the mounting holes, hoping your alignment works, then breaking a tab here/there along the way!

Also, repro door panels tend to be thicker than originals and some of the trim piece that attach by way of speed nuts 'defy' re-installation due to insufficient length of the mounting pins! Hint: try inverting the speed nut(s) to get them to bite.

You can do the job or have an interior shop do it for you. BUT, if you send it out, I can almost guarantee you the savings you got from buying basic vs. deluxe (ready to install) panels will evaporate! I did it once, but NEVER again....

Last, even the ready to install, deluxe, panels lack the factory original hole for the upper rear mounting screw and you have to drill that IF you want that last vestige of outward factory original appearance (repro panels are built on a vacuum formed plastic base vs. pressed cardboard and don't need this mounting screw nor the factory original vapor barrier that installed between the panel and the door).