Anybody installed MCI door panels successfully?
 

After putting off this job as long as I can, it's time to install these door panels from MCI.

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.

1. 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.
2. How do I attach the panel to the door?
3. 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?
4. How do I attach the inner window "swipe"? The factory uses staples, but that won't work with fiberglass.
5. How does the inner door latch work? Anybody have a working design?
6. Any other thoughts or ideas?

My inserts came with bolts epoxied to the back so they can bolt to the panel. The door handle concept is mickey mouse at best in my opinion. I will post some pics that I got through another forum member. Essentially you cut a hole, cut an inch or so off the handle and reach in and grab it through the hole. I have some BMW door handles that I was thinking of using or perhaps using some Lokar handles angled up through the hole.

If you PM me your email I can send the pics directly.

I saw a Firebird T/A clone for sale over on the other forum today that has MCI panels installed. He might answer some questions if you PM him.

Don

I'll look for the Firebird thread.

On the inserts, mine have bolts epoxied too, but I'm not getting how you'd attach it to the door in a way that allows a stout door pull. Seems to me that the inserts need to be attached to the door frame through the door panel.

Does that make sense?

On the door latches, I have 68/69 deluxe handle/latches here, and some BMW latches too. No great solution leaps to mind within the fairly small handle opening in the insert.

Yes, there will be some panel flex the way the door pulls are mounted. Not sure how you can do it without any visible screws.

These are a great looking product that could have benefited from a little more engineering/R&D.

Don

Exactly. Engineering wasn't consulted. The design guys went straight to marketing. :(

Marquez
 

fwiw I used Marquez door pulls and just made a simple bracket out of angle iron to bolt it secure to the door metal.

I have a working solution now. I've never spent so much time on door panels in my life! I used an E30 (BMW) door latch that fits the panels pretty well. It provides 5/8" of travel which is enough to release the door from the inside using a cable release setup from Lokar.

I will be watching for answers, Your project is looking good!

Thanks Travis!

The panels went off to be wrapped now. I'll post some pics when I get them back and installed.

Door panels back from interior: