I have, since the day I bought and installed them, been less than happy with the ABS plastic replacement upper door panels I installed . They’re ugly, and don’t look or feel right. They look cheap.

But what are you gonna do, since NOS ones are not easily available? Therefore, I held my nose, and bought installed a set. That seemed better than doing without - or the rather worse option of installing some homemade pieces of ugliness I frequently see.

At one time, I paid for and was waiting on, a set from SMS Auto Fabrics, who promised an exact copy. But, the wait was LOOONG, and their unresponsiveness to my periodic inquiries pissed me off. After about 8 mos. and a refusal to name a production date, I asked for - and was given - my money back. They were not cheap to buy, either.

Disappointing, since SMS had preciously done a fantastic job on my seat covers, They do still list 30 pages of door panel examples that they can make, though didn’t find the ones for Custom Cab Slicks. But I’m old and impatient, maybe they’re in there somewhere.

I have one NOS panel, a drivers side, and continue to look for the passenger side to make a pair.

The ABS ones installed 8 years or so ago, have discolored and begun to crack in a couple areas. I hate ‘em.

Meanwhile, I’ve noticed these listed for on eBay, for over a year now. Has has anyone tried them?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/315163907260

They’re made of soft vinyl over a plastic panel, and are not hard ABS. Since I’m going to have to do something as a stop-gap measure, till I locate the other NOS panel I need.

I’m highly skeptical.

Anyone tried them?

 

The plastic ones I installed from DC over 7yrs ago still look like they did when new. Not sure what's different with yours or why they haven't held up. As a daily driver though, my elbow has worn a hole in the armrest so still looking for a green replacement. No, I've not tried them but I like the panels you linked to. The price isn't bad either and seems you'd have only return shipping to lose if you don't like 'em.

***edit: Ok, looks like mine have discolored as well. Not terrible and not nearly as disappointing as the SMS fabric that started tearing after only 5-6yrs
__________________
Tony
1965 F250 https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...c-s-build.html
Shasta Disasta https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...a-rebuild.html
1975 Roll-A-Home https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ll-a-long.html

 

[QUOTE=AZSCAWPION;218067820The price isn't bad either and seems you'd have only return shipping to lose if you don't like 'em [/QUOTE]
That was my thought, too.

I found a perfect set of Turquoise armrests on eBay that match my interior , my originals were bad too. Not seen even one since. I used repops painted with SEM products for awhile.

 

My greens were originals. A sign of the times for sure. You think finding green armrests is hard try finding green floor mats. Not a chance.
You'd think I'd learn my lesson. Currently building a '75 F350 motorhome. What color did I paint it? Why green of course

__________________
Tony
1965 F250 https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...c-s-build.html
Shasta Disasta https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...a-rebuild.html
1975 Roll-A-Home https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ll-a-long.html

 

How green? There’s one light green one on eBay now. I saw a set of darker green ones a few months back. It was a bad photo, I inquired of the seller since the photo was crap, as to actual color. They were green.

There’s also one that appears sort of an olive green, I noticed just now.

 

Green green. Prolly the ones you saw a few months back.
Here's a set of four that appear a bit darker than mine. Prolly just the photo. https://www.ebay.com/itm/23524960667...temCondition=4 Either way, if all were good I'd consider it just to have extra, but I don't need anymore with holes in 'em. That I prefer to do myself.

__________________
Tony
1965 F250 https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...c-s-build.html
Shasta Disasta https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...a-rebuild.html
1975 Roll-A-Home https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ll-a-long.html

 

I know you're not a fan of homemade door panels but here's the ones I did for my '64 F100.

 

Sorry - but never in a million years!

 

That bad huh?

 

I made mine too. From clear lexan, and glued Mexican blanket fabric to match the seat. I also made the armrest from laminating sheets of MDF together and whittling until the shape was right.

 

Driving myself to the hospital, checking myself in . . .

 

I have the standard repop plastic ones but for the price probably worth a try.

 

Yeah, it’s only money. That’s pretty much what I had talked myself into. Don’t like em, I’ll ship-can em, order another set of the ABS ones.

Some day I’ll find an NOS passenger-side one, I keep telling myself.

 

Looks great, nice work!