Ok. I have access to 4th gen door panels. I have a couple questions. The search didn't really cover this or at least I wasn't able to figure this out based off what I read.

I know the fourth gen door panels fit our cars. It doesn't look like you can use our stock door handle. So how on earth do you get all that part of it to work out? And has any one wired up the window controls to the fourth gen door panel? Along with the door lock controls?

Pics would help alot. I would be getting these door panels for next to nothing and I would really like to know how to go about using them.

Second thing. Don't you find that installing a fourth gen dash in a 3rd gen car reduces you available interior room? I drove a LS1 4th gen today and I just realized how HUGE the dash is.

 

No the dash doesnt kill that much room, you have to realize the firewall on the 4th gen is literally 4 inches or so at best away from the back of the dash proper, just like a third gen..........

In fact now that mine is 100% done (just finsihed with dash mat fab) i like it much better then my crap 90 dash, much more flow to it, make it look more exotic.

 

I was just wondering about the dash issue. Personally I do like the 85-92 dash. At least I do in the Firebirds. I don't like the Camaro guage cluster.

Are you installing 4th gen door panels? If so what are you doing about the door handles?

 

I swapped the door handles when I tried putting the door panel on,


I was also running a 4th gen window control that I mounted in my center console,


I didn't bother with the door lock part, just the windows and the mirrors, which I couldn't get the mirrors to work right so that wasn't hooked up either.

 

So can you use the existing door lock tab on the door? Or does a 4th gen version have to be used? Or does it get covered up?

Anyone have pics of the complete finished door panels on the car?

I'm thinking seriously about attempting this once I know what all is involved.

 

You need to use the 4th gen tab. I have them but didn't have it on when I took that picture.

 

so I need to get all the door handles, lock tabs, buttons and that stuff to make it work. Do the mounting holes linup? Or do I have to bust out my drill?

 

i would think that everything would fit... but i don't know i've never done it.

 

Hey Manny, are you still putting those in your ride? If not, I'd like to purchase a couple of the parts from ya. I've got the door panels but not the piece....

Actually, since a pic is worth a thousand words, allow me to save myself some typing...

I need all of the stuff inside the yellow area.

S.

 

Yeah I would need all of those items too. I'll probably try the wrecking yards in a week or two. Theres a GM only wrecking yard not to far from my area.

 

Hey Steve,
Do you need both sides? I'll sell them to you so that I can get a real good look at how the door panels are installed.
Shoot me an email,
zepher@transamws6.com

 

You got mail.

S.

 

so those door panels just bolt right on!? i thought that didn't work, COOL! if you got the 4th gen window switches wired in i would LOVE to know how since i plan on using those in my 4th gen console.

 

the panels do not bolt right in and they are a huge pain in the *** just to get them to work. For the the handles and locks, you have to cut off about 3-4 inches off your existing handle and lock rods. Some of the sheet metal has to be cut away for the new door handles to be mounted and they have to be mounted further towards the middle to compensate for the newer style bezel placement. As for the panel itself, it is too long horizontally and too short vertically, which is why they are such a problem. The wiring is really the least of all problems, pretty easy just have to re-route the wires for the windows. Over all i hated the way they looked in mine so i tok them back out and used the GTA molded door panels. Im happy now

 

Mine were a PITA..still dont fit that well...they are better but still dont fit right... Buit I love the look of my door panels and my dash....just have to cut the hooks off the back and then screw it on...kinda easy but alot of cutting and bendin to get it to fit..

 

The best part about 4th door panels HAS to be the speakers. 4x6 speakers in the dash???

 

it looks like he cut them off...

 

Same here I need to cut the hooks off or Im gona cut the doors to make some of the hooks work.

Stilll need to do the handle and mod the arm rest to clear my roll bar. Put my autometer boost and fuel guage in the center vents and some other stuff. Its getting there little by little..

 

Does anyone have any close-ups of how they got the door panels to fit? Is there any certain year or model I should look for to get them out of? I'd like to convert my console, dash, and door panels eventually and get some new seats. With my LT1 intake and LS1 rear, I'll have the closeset-to-a-4th-gen 3rd gen

 

I think flynlow takes the cake on that one...

 

TPI383,
did you have to cut any off the front or rear of the door panel to get them to fit correct and look right? i have my dash, console in and all wireing to the doors done and working correct... even mirrors... just the door panels look like they deffinatly need to be cut.. also are you able to still use the speaker openings? it seems that there wont be room due to the power window motors...

 

I havent finished the door panels yet. Even if I do have to trim them Im gona make some glass molds to make then lookd stock as can be. I still have to mod the arm rest to clear my roll bar befor they actually **** all the way.