I am thinking about buying some door panels, and see that they are assembled and un. The catolog I read said that the only difference was that the unassembed didn't have the metal clip on the top. It seems to me that doing that one thing yourself is worth saving $200. But is that the only thing missing, do the unassebemed have the small strips od chrome, or is it not worth the trouble of doing it yourself. PLEASE would anyone that has done this before tell me which is best, any help would be nice
Thanks
Brian

I recently bought a set of door panels from OPG for my 67 El Camino. They were unassembled but very easy to install. You'll have to cut out holes that should be premarked. As far as the chrome, I used the ones from the old door panels. Very easy installation.

DJ

[This message has been edited by DJ (edited 01-01-99).]

I just today finished my '68 SS front and back. I thought it was a monster to do it right, like 16 hours or so. When you take your old panels out, there is a metal channel along the top which must be removed from the old and attached to the new, in exactly the same place. The factory used some trick staking process, but you cant redo it. I pop riveted mine on after grinding the little staked teeth off. I used 3M 900 series spray contact cement which worked well. The time cunsumer was fitting them up. I could probably do it in 8 hours now. I was thinking about a post about "stupid panel tricks" with some of the ditties I learned.

I am a mechanical engineer and a perfectionist, maybe that's why it took me so long.

By the way, I originally bought Distinctive panels, but then saw PUI and bought them. They PUI's are more plush in the pleating, and the backing board is stiffer. Make sure you get new windlaces. Email me if you want more details kengibbons@aol.com

If you are referring to the top rail on the door panel, it is (my opinion only) more trouble than it's worth to have to remove your existing top rail and then 'reattach' it to the new unassembled door panel. Same goes for the chrome stripping. I changed my old panels out 6 months ago and went with Year One assembled front and rear sets. I was thinking about getting unassembled as well, but a very good Houston upholstery shop recommended that I fork out the extra dough for the assembled ones. They said that even they have had 'some' problems securing the original steel upper rail to a set of aftermarket unassembled door panels.

I would recommend Year One for your door panels...and, beware of the cheaper panels on the market - they do not look like the originals. Installation of the Year One panels is a snap - simply punch out perforated holes for the window crank and inside door handle, hang the panels and re-attach with your old door panel clips and anchors. You may want to remove your old panels before ordering your new ones because some of the door panel clips/anchors might break or be unuseable, so that way you can order new clips/anchors at the same time with one order. Have fun with your selection and installation! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Unfortunately, not all colors are available in the assembled configuration. I've getting ready to assemble my dark blue panels for my 72 Malibu(First Time) How about a tech reference on assembling these panels?

I have recently done two sets of unassembled and the most difficult part for me was the window fuzzies. Since I was going for factory look and my original fuzzies were good I went with the unassembled panels. I wanted to retain the factory staples for the fuzzies and they were a pain to get out and back in the same holes.