MCI door panel install

[67RSSS502]

Any one here install MCI door panels yet? I have a set for my 67 Camaro (panels for crank windows not power) and the installers are trying to figure out how to get the interior door handle to work. I know what Mike talks about on here in some older previous posts. I am looking for any photos that show how they actually were installed just to make the process easier....

Thanks in advance!

Dion

[dhutton]

You have to cut a rectangular hole where the recess is in the arm rest. The handle is then installed angled up and sticks through the hole.

Did you also buy the dash? Would be interested to see some install pics. I don't know why Mike doesn't provide proper instructions and install pics....

Don

[67RSSS502]

Thanks Don. No I bought a console and door panels only

Would you happen to have any pics showing how this went together I could pass along?

[MCI]

Thanks Don. No I bought a console and door panels only

Would you happen to have any pics showing how this went together I could pass along?

One of the shops here has a 69 with the door panels in it. I will get some detailed pictures for you.

[67RSSS502]

Thanks Mike. If you can post them here it will make it easier for everyone involved (on my car, and other interested members alike). My access to email with travel is spotty at times and starting to get into a time crunch to get my car done for the desired date (wife's bday :).

[daredvl22]

Interested in seeing these pics as well, since I will soon be doing this on my build.

[parsonsj]

I've got a set of these door panels, and I've put off the installation as long as I can. Has anyone pulled this off?

My customer's quarter panel covers seem like they just don't fit. And the door panels seem like they hang too low in the back, and I'm not clear on the inner door latch and how to fasten it to the door itself.

I have been able to get the dash panel to fit: I had to narrow the whole panel an inch, and cut the OEM dash area significantly. But it fits nicely now, and will look great once it's covered.

[parsonsj]

OK, let's see if we can figure out how to mount these suckers. I actually have two sets, and I'm having some better luck with with the older set. Here's where I am tonight:

113769

The quarter panel fits pretty well now and is screwed into place. Since the car will have power windows, I don't need to worry about window cranks. I need to figure out how mount the insert with some hidden method, but I'm pretty happy with where I am on this.

The door panel fits pretty well along the top, has a good gap at the rear of the door, and along the bottom. All this took me a couple of hours of cutting, sanding, and filing.

Here are the problems as I see them, in no particular order.

There's not enough room along the front edge for the kick panel and dash panel. It's just too tight a fit. Any opinions on trimming the panel so it just touches the kick front to back, rather than overlapping? If you look carefully you can see my pen mark to trim the panel to clear the pinch weld.
How do I attach the panel to the door?
How do I attach the insert to the panel? Or should it go to the inner door sheetmetal like factory? Any ideas on how to do it without exposed screws?
How do I attach the inner window "swipe"? The factory uses staples, but that won't work with fiberglass.
How does the inner door latch work? Anybody have a working design?
Any other thoughts or ideas?

[parsonsj]

I just posted this photo in my build thread:

113842

I think this job isn't going to be that difficult. I talked to a builder in Ohio who put these on a 69 Firebird. He said that 4 screws along the bottom of the door panel was enough to create a rigid structure that opened and closed without any stress. The inner door pull/handle just bolts to the panel and not to the door itself. More to come, for sure.

[thumper877]

John those look great. Are u going to paint or cover them in something. I would love to see some photos of the dash. Keep us posted. Thanks

[parsonsj]

Yes, all the panels will be covered in black leatherette (stretchable vinyl that looks better and is more durable than leather). The inserts will be (where the door handles are) will be covered in a semi-contrasting material that you can see in the center of the package tray.

[thumper877]

Well I was thinking stock interior but seeing pics of ur car now I'm really liking it. Looking good really want to see some pics when u get it done

[Blevinator]

Well I was thinking stock interior but seeing pics of ur car now I'm really liking it. Looking good really want to see some pics when u get it done

I am following this thread as well
I have an MCI dash, door panels, center dash panel, and full length console made for a Kilduff 4L80E shifter.

[parsonsj]

Tonight I finessed the driver's door panel some more. The main thing was I took a 1/2" off the front of the panel. It was too thick to fit right with the kick panel, and I still need to take more off. The first pic is just the raw sheetmetal, and the second is with the kick panel in place. My upholstery guy wants to use thin foam under the wrap, so I need a 3/16" gap to avoid "crushing" everything into place.

113893
113892

[parsonsj]

Today's lesson with these door panels is to fit them with the glass guides in place. They hang from the guides just like the factory panels.

113965

[parsonsj]

Today's lesson: the intended "design" of these door panels just doesn't work for a door latch. The panels are supposed to cover the standard interior 68-69 latch such that you reach in through the door pull and squeeze the latch (pulling it up with your fingers). The problem is that there just isn't enough room, either for your fingers to get around the latch handle or for latch travel to release the door.

So I'm going to use some BMW E30 door latches and incorporate them into the insert design. Here's the starting point. Using some rod, and two vice grips, I can open the door using this latch. More engineering to come, but I need to install the windows now to make sure that the release cable doesn't interfere with the window movement.

114026

[Blevinator]

Mike at MCI shortened the length of the original 68 door latches for me when he sent my door panels
Will that not work?

[parsonsj]

Will that [shortened 68 door latches] not work?No, I don't think it will work. As I mentioned above, there isn't enough room to either get your fingers around the latch or enough travel room for the latch itself once you manage to worm your fingers around the latch.

It's possible I'm missing something (the instructions are rather skimpy, with due respect to skimpy), but I've spent hours with those latches trying to figure something out.

The E30 latch will work well, with the downside that it is in the middle of the insert.

[parsonsj]

Another picture with the panel (but not the insert) in place:

114074

[thumper877]

I think that latch looks nice fits pretty good

[parsonsj]

Here's the final solution, before the panels go off to get wrapped.

114205

114206

[parsonsj]

Back from interior:

114527

[thumper877]

Looks awesome I really like the material in the insert looks like u have the dash also could we see see pics of that also thanks