Anyone know where I can source about 20 push in style door panel fasteners?

My door panels for my '77 are plain ol' black molded plastic 'bout like what you see in all the usual catalogues. Difference I've noticed is my panels have 8 holes that correspond with the fastener holes in the inside metal door face.

I had to pull the panel to replace a broken outside door handle. Naturally, all but two of the fasteners heads snapped off making them useless. Didn't really bother me until I started looking for replacements. The body shop supplier I was sent to told me they don't make them any more. He had a handful in a box of obsolete stuff that he gouged me for. I even checked the automotive fasteners at Lowes and they didn't have any long enough to work for me. The ones I need have 1-1/4" barbed shafts with the big button head, and are black. They need to be that long to reach all the way to the metal on the lower half of the panel.

Makes me hesitant to remove the passenger side panel to replace the speaker!

Thanks for whatever info y'all can provide.

 

You can get "HELP!" brand blister packs at the local parts store; it might take a few to get the quantity you need. I would think places like Mac's and LMC have them too.

 

LMC has them
40-0778 .95 each

 

Thanks Mike. I looked at them on the online catalogue and just couldn't tell if they were exactly what I was looking for. That's why I didn't go ahead and pull the trigger and order some. You gave me more confidence. Wish they had good pictures for all the products in their catalogue.

 

Thanks fmc400. I've done hit all the local parts houses around here. All of them had some, just none were long enough to reach the metal through the bottom part of the panel. Looks like I'll be ordering from LMC. Never would have thought cheap plastic fasteners would ever become obsolete!

 

I've used the plastic fasteners before, but I prefer the metal ones, if you can find them. They seem to be less likely to damage the door panel if you have to remove it again. I think I saw them in Dennis Carpenter's catalog, but I could be mistaken.

 

I get mine at JBG...here is the link.

Door Panel Clip Kit (16)

 

Sounds like you found a source, but since you have the door panel off....now it a great time to put some reinforcement resin/2 part epoxy around the tabs on the back side.

Cause once you break that plastic up, it can be a bad deal to repair or get to work again properly.

And when you go to take the passenger side off, take a hack saw blade (tape the end you hold on to), and cut the old plastic press in stud/tabs. Carefully + I tape the top of my door, just in case.

That is how I take off door panels in the JY and not destroy them. Wish other folks knew that trick, like the guy that took these off.

And get the metal cups that you close the door with, instead of the plastic ones, a very good 13 dollar LMC investment.

Truck Parts and Truck Accessories

 

Check with auto body repair shop or upholstery places,they may direct you where to go.

 

I get a lot of the specialty clip and hardware items from the local Ford store. The last door panel pins were bought about a year back. They fit and were the correct length.
A body shop supply store is another good choice.

I am always surprised at what the Ford dealer has in stock, and sometimes at what they don't, but that is another story.

Roger Carter

 

I wish I had the type of panels that 77&79F250 has. I fear I have some antiquated, across the border type cheapos that aren't even available anymore (read "cheap").

I'm gonna attempt attaching a couple of photos; one of the panel with the holes visible (hopefully), the other of the long fasteners required to attach it to the door sheet metal.

Here goes! First shot at attempting to use the photobucket thing:




The top middle hole looks distorted on the panel because the head of the screw is showing. It's actually round like the rest.

 

Oh well, the pics didn't show up. If you click to open the image it'll go to the pics. Have patience, I'll get the hang of the photo attaching thing next time!

 

Auveco Products - Automotive, Industrial and Specialty Fasteners

is another fastener source.

 

Thanks folks! You have all given me plenty of options to check out.

460me: I'm hitting every body shop on the way home tomorrow to see what they may have on hand.

Roger: Two dealerships on my route home will get stopped at. One of 'em is a regional parts supplier for Metro Atlanta. Ain't gotta clue why I didn't even think of them to begin with. Duh, on my part.

GLR: WOW! Thanks for the link. If Auveco doesn't have them, nobody does. I'm saving that link in my favorites list. If I can't scrounge them up on the way home tomorrow, I'm definitely getting a pile of their item #15479.

 

I ordered these awhile back for my 74 they didn't even come close to fitting, are they made for a later year truck or do I just cut up my door panel until these pins fit?