Door Panel Dilemma

[Ohio AMX]

I'm sure this topic has been covered before but here goes. My '70 F250 was missing its door panels but I found a nice set on eBay. I believe they came out of a '72? My doors have inserts to attach the panels with screws but the door panels have no screw holes as they are supposed to clip on. I have already recolored the panels so I would like to use them if possible. Any suggestions?

[70_F100]

The upholstered door panels were used in conjunction with steel door panels.

The steel panels have additional holes for the clips.

There's also a chrome trim ring with black center that's used along with the upholstered panels.

You can see them here: http://www.fordification.com/library/ma ... temId=1741

There's also a picture of the doors with just the steel panels and chrome trim about half-way down this page: http://www.fordification.com/tech/67-72ID_01.htm

[Ohio AMX]

So it was a 2-part door panel then?

[70_F100]

Yep, at least in 70.

I'm pretty sure, though, that it was 67-72, all inclusive.

If anyone knows anything different, I'm sure they'll chime in!!

[michael69]

Thats the way my 69 ranger is also. Hope this helps.

[FORDification]

Some '71-'72 panels were full-size clip-in, and didn't use the steel panel with the smaller upholstered-panel insert. To use the later panels on an older door, you'll have to drill holes in the door to accept the plastic plugs that the panels snap into.

1968-1970


1970-1972

[D.J. Wyman]

I drilled holes to accept the trim ring (as i call it). looks perfect and it took less than 10min to do. Mine had the cardboard door panels with no trim ring. I did just what you did, found a nice steel set.

[Ohio AMX]

Well, I'm still a bit confused as to what I have here. Looking at the 1968-70 pic above it appears that the steel door panel covers the indented part of the inner door, then a smaller upholstered panel fits within the steel panel. For this reason, when I finally test fit one of the panels I have here I expected it to be quite a bit smaller than the indented part of the door. But it isn't, it's the same size. Here is the type of panels that I have:


They are made of a masonite-type board covered in vinyl. As you can (sort of) see they completely cover the indented part of the door. So were these attached to a steel panel that is exactly the same size as these, or were these panels used by themselves in the later years?

[fordman]

you have the 71/72 panels in those pictures. those are not meant to be used with the steel door panels at all. they are a optional door panel that replaces the steel door panel if your truck was originaly a high class of trim package. you can use those by removing the steel door panel entirely and puttign those on instead. if you use those make sure your door glass weather strip is in good condition to keep water out of the door. it will ruin the back of those fiber panels.

[Ohio AMX]

Ah, now it makes sense. If I end up using these I will put some plastic sheeting behing them as a moisture barrier. One of them is already warped but it should be OK since they use so many clips. Thanks for the info!

[Zorm]

not to hijack the thread but has anyone recovered their door panels?

[fordman]

i have seen some done. they were ebay pictures. i have seen diamond tucking and other methods used.

[wobblefoot]

In that first picture of the doorpanel with wood trim how do you get that chrome trim off with out bending or damaging it?

[fordman]

i use a flat screwdriver to pry it off slowly.