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What supplier sells the best stock reproduction door panels out there today? I am looking for blue in color for a 1973 F-100 Ranger.Anyone recently purchased any and could give me some options or reviews.
I recently bought a set from JBG. They're Dennis Carpenter panels, supposedly manufactured in the US, with original Ford tooling. They're really good. I have no complaints.
However, from what I understand they're all molded from black plastic, and any other color is painted on. Same applies to dash pads. That's not a good recipe in my opinion. I bought black panels.
I bought mine from DC too and they're nice. but I think all the good ones including DC's are made by Dashtop so that's what to look for. there are some imported junk ones but I think they're only in black.
Last I heard the blue ones are either out of stock or discontinued. so you might have a tough time finding any. worse case you can vinyl dye some .
these are the blue XLT style DC ones I bought if you want to see how they look.
If I may chime in,
I opted to keep my original plastic door panels on my '77 F350.
They have cracked of course, so being fragile, I was afraid I would damage them worse if continuing to use the spring-clip fasteners, resulting in Prying for removal next time panel-removal was necessary.
I drilled the panel where the clips attach to the panel. There is an indent on the back side for drilling which does line up with the hole in the door, where the clip pops in place.
What I did next was to take a 3-sided file and squared up the holes in the door, for accepting the square plastic inserts which will accept a screw. The white plastic inserts are made by Dorman, and are in auto parts stores. Approx 1/4-inch square.
Now, if I need to remove a door panel, I can simply unscrew them, with no prying necessary.
I recon if I had to purchase new, I would have to go the Dennis Carpenter route too.
The pockets are pretty close to original and they are made by a member of this forum. 77shortbox or something like that I think ? he's in western WA as I recall. maybe someone knows for sure.
I recently bought a set from JBG. They're Dennis Carpenter panels, supposedly manufactured in the US, with original Ford tooling. They're really good. I have no complaints.
However, from what I understand they're all molded from black plastic, and any other color is painted on. Same applies to dash pads. That's not a good recipe in my opinion. I bought black panels.
Yes I agree,I don't like the idea of having painted ones.That can not be good.Wished I would have got some years ago when the colors were molded in.
SEM color coat and similar products are not just paint. they're designed for use on vinyl . Actually a lot of the plastic interior parts in new vehicles are colored with these products and have been for decades. Sure molded color is better but so are NOS parts . so you make do with what you have .
That said I think the ones I bought are molded color I'll have to check. I know they look the same on the back as the front and I'm 99% sure when I drilled the holes for the XLT inserts it was solid blue.
I am thinking these are the best out there.440 sixpack do you remember exactly which blue color you got since there are several shades listed?I have the chrome strips and hoping to drill holes and transfer them to new panels.
I am thinking these are the best out there.440 sixpack do you remember exactly which blue color you got since there are several shades listed?I have the chrome strips and hoping to drill holes and transfer them to new panels.
SEM color coat and similar products are not just paint. they're designed for use on vinyl . Actually a lot of the plastic interior parts in new vehicles are colored with these products and have been for decades. Sure molded color is better but so are NOS parts . so you make do with what you have .
That said I think the ones I bought are molded color I'll have to check. I know they look the same on the back as the front and I'm 99% sure when I drilled the holes for the XLT inserts it was solid blue.
Yeah, yours look molded solid blue.
I tried SEM rattle can on an old panel a couple of years ago, as a test. I painted it in April I think. By mid June it was junk.
To use the SEM you have to preclean it with LIMCO or something similar. and I don't think it will ever stick to old armor all soaked plastic like it does new stuff.
I'm not sure what blue I have it was the only blue DC sold. I'm going to say it's the darker blue looking at Dashtop;s color chart.
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