Has anybody every made/bought/seen door panels without the factory arm rest or the latch/lock assembly? I'd looked at the panels at www.rodddoors.com but I wasn't sure if there were other options. I just don't like the idea of a flat door panel with a handrest bolted on, I'd prefer something that was all one piece. After my attempts to make a custom fiberglass panel failed I've decide to just buy some, any ideas? Thanks, Joe

 

Well if its the shape and layout of the stock door panels that you dont like, then you will have to totally replace them. I know what you mean because I feel the same way about our stock doorpanels. You might want to look into a 4th gen doorpanel swap but that would require that you modify the dash as well (assuming you keep the stock dash). Anything else will be totally custom.

 

I recently made a set of replacement door panels for my Firebird. I used the old cardboard backing as a pattern and cut them from 1/8" fiberboard. I covered them with headliner material as padding and then marine grade vinyl. I then attached the metal trim that runs from the top piece to the front of the door. I also attached the armrest,cupholder and door latch trim piece. I've gotten many compliments on them and they look very close to OEM. I didn't try to make the carpet section since I've never been too hot about it.

 

Here's one of the one's I was thinking of. <img src=http://www.roddoors.com/images/cmalibu.jpg>

They had some others too that looked interesting and the best part is that they're made of black ABS and you cover them yourself or paint them. Has anybody seen any other places like this that make these sorts of panels? Any opinions on these panels? Keep in mind that they come uncovered so they wouldn't be the same color or material in my car, although I'm going for and darker blue (to match my racing seats) and black.

<img src=http://www.roddoors.com/images/chollyw.jpg>

 

those door panels are interesting and I like the concept, but it would seem to me that you'd really have some work to do on the rest of your car interior to match those designs to keep your car's interior integrity and completeness.

Example: No one likes jap spoilers on our cars. Its a horrible clash. But they do look great on jap cars because they really do complete the look of those cars.

Now for a suggestion: I've always wondered about the door panels from an 80's corvette. I have no idea about dimensions but I do know that 4th gen pontiac panels (I think...maybe its 4th gen camaro) need to be cut to fit on our doors. But, after cutting them to fit they look nice.

I've searched here to no avail. So, if you do like the 80's corvette door panel and its the kind of design you are looking for, you may want to give that a shot.

 

Ok I understand what you mean now. I thought you wanted to get away from the entire flat door panel style. But what you want is a flat panel with a handle and stuff built in. Those kits you posted will probably be your best bet. You can always try to go completely custom with some tweed, foam, an exacto knife, a blowdryer, and some glue ... but I would just go with a pre-made kit. Alot easier and will probably look better in the end. Just be sure to match the colors with your interior like you said and it should look great. Make sure the handles are strong too because our doors are heavy. Sometimes when the car is on a hill and I pull the armwrest to close the door it feels like the armwrest is going to come off. Heavy Doors!!