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11/16/21: I called Jim Carters today and asked about the lower door panel’s on backorder and it turns out, they already shipped one and the second was backordered! So I was good with that. Frustration level now much lower!

I removed the passenger door and found it was in better shape than the drivers side, with only a few pin holes that opened up into 1/8” holes once I cleaned it up with a wire wheel. I’ve decided to encapsulate the rust and fill it with JB Weld. The holes are under where the gasket sits so they will be covered anyway. I’ll encapsulate the inside bottom of the door also.

The remote door operator on the drivers side has never sprung back like the passenger side causing the door not to latch if the handle was pushed forward, so I previously ordered new springs. I pried the tabs open on the casing, took the operator apart and for the life of me, could not figure how to install and set tension on the spring and get it back together. I left it until I could look at the passengers side. Well, that didn’t help at all. I compared the two and they were both different. I suspect one might be aftermarket. Additionally the passengers side was missing the spring that keeps the handle in the lock position and the splines on the shaft are quite worn. After looking at what new remotes cost, I decided to buy new. This time I called the vendor and asked if they were in stock. They were, so I ordered two new ones!

I took the passenger side hinges apart and lucked out again, as the pins just drove out with just like the drivers hinges. I have them blasted and painted waiting for new pins.

I also took the vent windows assembly’s apart, cleaned and painted them. I did have a surprise with the passenger side, a rusted thru spot on the movable frame. It was on the inside about five inches below the hinge on the vertical section. I couldn’t figure out why it would a rusted in that spot. I could see it rusting thru on the bottom, but that area was perfect. I was able to cut it out to good metal, fit a patch and weld it in.

Things are progressing, at a slow pace but still moving forward!