Need help trying to understand wheather using preassembled or non assembled panels is best. Do the preassembled ones come with the metal upper backing? Are they good and the way to go? How hard is it to assemble door panels from scratch. Ready to order and very confussed.

Go with the pre-assembled.

Pre-assembled is just that, Ready to go into the car.
I got mine from OPG, they were made by PUI- they had the metal top rail- Window felt stapled to the panel- Perferated holes on the backing.

All I had to do was punch out the holes and install. They look great.

The non-Assembled ones do not have the top peice, you have to reuse yours and glue it on-




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Ben Rambow
1969 El Camino Custom (http://www.chevelles.com/feature/july2001.html)
1968 Olds Delmont 88 Convertable (http://www.442.com/vcs/1964_1972/rambow.html)
"Reliable is boring- My life is exciting!"

I used preassembled for my '69 (also OPG/PUI) and it turned out great. Costs a little more but like Ben said they're ready to install and really save a lot of trouble. I also got a set of the plastic water shields and installed those at the same time - something you might think about.

Thanks guys, I think thats the way I'll go.

PUI has had some quality controll issues lately. We have had several complaints about their quality, and it seems as if the quality varies from day to day. Sometimes the panels get shipped with some nicks, or the window fuzzy chrome is dented or tweaked. Inspect them carefully when they arrive.

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Jason Babal
69 Chevelle SS
3100lbs. W/O driver

The Car <A HREF="http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/igotta71launch8.JPG (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/igotta71launch8.JPG)

http://www.proautoclassics.com

I guess you have to reuse the malibu emblem from the old panel. I can't find any new ones. What glue do you recommend?