The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Door Panels

A few months ago I replaced the door panels on my 49 Chevy 3100. I ordered the new panels and metal frames from Jim Carter. The passenger side fit good, but on the driver's side the panel didn't fit in the frame so that all edges were covered. After a couple of months the panel cover has separated from the cardboard backing. I took it off and glued it back and placed it back in the frame. The frame still doesn't fit the way it should. Are there any tricks to getting the panel it the frame correctly?

JD

JD,
I also got some door panels from Jim Carter (as a Christmas gift). While they were sitting in my shop last winter, the panel covers peeled off of both of them. Sounds like a quality control problem. I think I'll see if I can get them to send replacements.
I didn't get the metal frame, so I can't speak to that problem. javascript:void(0)

JD,

I got a set of stainless steel door-panel frames from Jim Carter's and they are the wrong size (1954 1/2 ton) - perimeter dimension does not match the Jim Carter cardboard door panel. However, the JC cardboard panels fit into the original panel frames just fine.

Also, the head/roofliner panels from JC were poor fits in the Suburban (not enuogh material for trim fitting, either).

Finally, half of the four rear side panels for the Suburban fit fine in the original frames with good screw holes. while half fit fine in the frames but the screw holes were about an inch off.

Not pleasant experiences.

I have had no problem with the JC panel cover material coming off (yet? - the roof panels have been on for 9 months).

Do you have original frames to compare to the ones you bought?

Tim

I also got some from Jim Carter and they also
separated. I ordered the Maroon color. I like
the quality of the finish over that of Chevy
Duty, but I had to use contact cement to keep
them from separating. I didn't contact them but
now I think maybe I should since I'm not the
only one. I haven't tried to fit them in the
frames yet. The frames are over at the paint
shop, so maybe my problems are not over with these door panels.

I have had the same problem with the maroon door panels as described above.

Thanks for the feedback. My panels were also maroon and they would look great if they fit in the frames properly. I didn't have the original frames to compare. I'll probably eventually order another set and try again. JD

JD5, you are close enough to bring them back and show what has happened. I live about 10 miles from Carters shop and they have been real helpfull on the few parts I have took back. I think face to face they deal better.

I have Carters to the north, Chevy Duty to the west and LMC to the south. To bad only Carters sell '37 parts! Joe

The maroon material was separating from the cardboard backing on my panels. I peeled back half of the fabric at a time and sprayed both surfaces with 3-M general trim adhesive. Stuck that half back together and then did the other half.

This prevented any problems with getting things aligned again. So far, it seems like the problem is corrected. The panels still don't fit in the frames the way they should but as good as it will get.

I've had a number of problems with quality from JC, but fortunately, they have always been flawless about returns or adjustments. My door panels and frames on my 54 1/2 ton (from JC) don't fit great. Has anyone purchased these or headliners from someone else with better success, or do they all come from the same supplier.

My door panels on my 1950, 3600 are bulged out where the remote control linkage goes. Do the replacement door panels for the AD trucks that you guys are buying from the vendors have the bumped out section molded into it for clearance of the remote control linkage? Or, are they just a flat, embossed paper, cardboard backed panels?
I’ve been kicking the idea around of getting some backing material from an upholstery shop and covering it with my own material. Bookbinder suppliers have a large variety of embossed paper sheet that you would glue to the backing board.
Would also like to make up some of this material to use for the glove box.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

the panels are pretty flat but mine took on the shape of the originals once i got them in place. i didn't have the seperation issue that some have mentioned except where ididn't de an effective enough job of crimping the frame onto the cardboard. the linkage bulge is unavoidable unless you can figure out how to flip the linkage and get it to rin in the channel.

got my door panels from grumpy's here in arizona and they fit perfectly.

there was just another thread on this subject a couple days ago. its archived in the "interiors" section under "door panels and headliner". seems like everyones gettin screwed by the suppliers. sure,,theyll take it back or exchange it,,what about your shipping,headaches,cuss words that the kids hafta hear,,busted knuckles,,etc.....
i hate it when they say"FITS LIKE ORIGINAL", when in fact ,,its poorly made OVERSEAS JUNK.

ad, that looks really nice. it was more the color and texture i was looking for to match what was in the truck originally, but the new panels just don't have the same definition.

nice job!

p.j., I got the armrests from, I think Chevy Duty and a upholstery supplier matched the material exactly.

Nice AD!! I take it you cover the aluminum with a material to match the seats? I can see where the aluminum would not warp or bend with moisture and heat, what adhesive did you use?

Wish we all could come up with a "vendor list", though I realize some vendors are sponsors of this great website. Seems to me from reading posts here for about a year now, there are some "crappy" parts being sold!! Would like to see a list of who has the best quality product available for sale!

My 5cents worth (adjusted for inflation)

Mike

bluedot38, the material was matched with the armrest and is not exactly the same as the seat material. I got the adhesive from the upholstery supplier and I couldn't tell you what the name of it is.