I am looking to replace my door panels and would like to know if anyone has used the painted ones from LMC? Mine are tan but oem and are not painted. Most of the spots that the clips fasten to mine are gone and i don't want to screw them on. New panels would really complete the int.

 

I would spend the extra $ and get a set form Denis Carpenter. You will have to paint them tan, but they are made from the ford tooling. The first set I got fron national parts depot and they did not fit good. I replaced them with a set from DC and painted them. That was 4 yrs ago and the paint is holding up.

 

I agree, buy them from Dennis Carpenter 1-800-476-9653. You can dye them. Right now according to the new catalog I just got they have some off color specials on door panels($100.00 a pair). Normally they run $100.00 each panel to $115.00 each panel. I'd buy the off color seconds for $100.00 for the pair, and dye them. Shipping would be I think $14.95 right now (it's a special on shipping prices). LMC over charges on shipping, I think.

 

DIAMOND PLATE! lol

 

Reading glasses?

 

Our 73/79 plastic door panels suck, let's be honest..... i've seen the 67/72 steel door panels fabbed onto a dent, looked pretty good.

 

That I'd like to see. I just bought and installed new D.C. Door panels. They fit great but...I really liked the metal ones I had on my 71.

 

The problem with the off color panels is that they don't come with the armrest pads which can run you another $80.00. You have to read the fine print. If they aren't needed, it is a great buy for someone who is going to dye them anyway.

 

I have Dennis Carpenter door panels and can vouch for them as well.

The main improvement you should do with new door panels is to switch to metal door handle cups. The originals were plastic and did not support the arm rest when you pulled the door shut. With metal door cups, the stress is taken off the door panel tabs and the panels will last indefinitely.

I agree though, I think the 73-79 door panels are "cheap" looking because they're made out of plastic, but molded to look like there is fabric and stitching.

 

I stumbled upon them a few years back when looking at a truck, i wish i had taken pics, it looked very factory, the bumpside doors just have a more "solid" feel to them imo, especially when closing them, i thought the retro fitting of the steel panels was a pretty cool mod, i've considered it myself.