And up next....door panels

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Nov 30, 2004 | 10:10 AM
  #1  
I really need some input here. My interior is bascially done...besides the door panels. I wish I could switch to the 4th gen door panels...but..I heard they don't flow with the 3rd gen dash. What I'm trying to do is to get the hairy, carpeted look out of the car (minus the floor carpet)...that's why I modified my hatch area...to give it a more updated look. If I were to recover the entire door panels with just graphite/ebony vinyl...I'm afraid that would look really plain or boring. Do you think I should just cover the lower portion of the door panel (which is carpet) in vinyl...or should I just spray it...with the ebony/graphite spray? As you can see in one of the pictures...I sprayed the kickpanel carpet with the spray...and actually doesn't look bad....

btw, the carpet looks like hell because of the flash....I should replaced it before I installed the roll bar...and the mega shifter..

And up next....door panels-kick.jpg  

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Nov 30, 2004 | 10:14 AM
  #2  
...

And up next....door panels-lowerpanel.jpg  

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Nov 30, 2004 | 11:50 AM
  #3  
Get yourself a good set of thirdgen GTA panels. They are mostly vinyl. Then replace the small fabric portion at the top with vinyl in a different color. I did this in black and grey. The nice thing is you get the map pockets too.



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Nov 30, 2004 | 11:53 AM
  #4  
looks great, i think i'll have to grab some gta panels
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Nov 30, 2004 | 12:20 PM
  #5  
that's something to consider USA-1. Are there certain years that look better...or are all the GTA door panels the same? Also..what does the lower half of the door panel look like?
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Nov 30, 2004 | 12:29 PM
  #6  
I think all of the GTA panels are the same but I could be mistaken. The lower part is rug but I would say it's only 1/3 to 1/4 of the panel. A lot of that is taken up by the map pocket so it breaks it up nicely. The upper portion around the door lock and handle is fabric but that came up pretyy easily. I just sprayed it with 3M 90 and placed a piece of vinyl over the padding. Then I tucked the ends in with a screwdriver. Overall it was fairly easy.
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Nov 30, 2004 | 02:26 PM
  #7  
I just recovered the entire panel in black vinyl. I then remounted the door trim,armrest and cupholder for an almost OE look. I too wanted to get rid of the door carpet and this did the trick. It does look plain but I was going for the subtle appearance. I may do something different and more 4th gen looking later to go with the '01 RA ebony leather seats I installed over the weekend.
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Nov 30, 2004 | 04:10 PM
  #8  
I was also planning on doing black vinyl doorpanels with some custom popup work in them to kinda keep them from looking so plain and accenting the popup stuff with the grapite spray. I really like that color thanx for the idea it really helped set off my boring black interior.
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Dec 9, 2004 | 06:51 AM
  #9  
nm found it
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Dec 9, 2004 | 07:15 AM
  #10  
USA-1, the panels you pictured are actually Trans Am/firebird door panels, not GTA. The GTA panels are much different and require a different bracket to mount the arm rests.
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Dec 9, 2004 | 11:15 AM
  #11  
gta doorpanels... they sometimes come with triangular pockets in the lower portion
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Dec 9, 2004 | 02:15 PM
  #12  
Quote:
Originally posted by 90firebird
gta doorpanels... they sometimes come with triangular pockets in the lower portion
Right, all GTA door panels had the triangular pockets and the specific arm rest. These panels were also an option on Trans Ams with the deluxe interior package.
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Dec 9, 2004 | 05:46 PM
  #13  
Quote:
Originally posted by 90firebird
gta doorpanels... they sometimes come with triangular pockets in the lower portion
Those were not specific to GTA's they could be ordered in any Firebird, Formula or Trans Am as well. I personally took some out of a factory 87 Formula and a friend had a 86 Firebird S/E with them as well. I also know where there is a 88 base model firebird in a junkyard with a pair.
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Dec 9, 2004 | 06:13 PM
  #14  
if I end up getting a set...I really don't want the map pockets. Is it harder to find them with or without the map pockets?
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Dec 9, 2004 | 07:22 PM
  #15  
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave84Bird
Those were not specific to GTA's they could be ordered in any Firebird, Formula or Trans Am as well. I personally took some out of a factory 87 Formula and a friend had a 86 Firebird S/E with them as well. I also know where there is a 88 base model firebird in a junkyard with a pair.
Thankfully someone else knows this. Too many parts on our cars get called 'GTA this' and 'GTA that' Like the friggen 'GTA wheels' TA's and formy's had them too. Their just crosslace. Same with these door panels. My old 87 formy had those formed panels in grey. They look awesome. I have a set in my garage that are kinda tattered. I'd like to refinish them but don't know how.

And yes they require a different bracket that's larger than the regular armrest bracket.
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Dec 9, 2004 | 08:11 PM
  #16  
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave84Bird
Those were not specific to GTA's they could be ordered in any Firebird, Formula or Trans Am as well. I personally took some out of a factory 87 Formula and a friend had a 86 Firebird S/E with them as well. I also know where there is a 88 base model firebird in a junkyard with a pair.
Yep, I pulled those panels in the picture out of a base model Firebird.
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Dec 10, 2004 | 03:23 AM
  #17  
I need some door panel idea's i also wanted GTA's but there hard to find. Wanted 4th gen interior but cant find any oh well . If anyone can get me a pair ill buy some but dont you have to have the riveted bracket off the door also.
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Dec 10, 2004 | 09:56 PM
  #18  
yep i need door panels now.. i just installed my seats
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Dec 16, 2004 | 12:43 PM
  #19  
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave84Bird
Those were not specific to GTA's they could be ordered in any Firebird, Formula or Trans Am as well. I personally took some out of a factory 87 Formula and a friend had a 86 Firebird S/E with them as well. I also know where there is a 88 base model firebird in a junkyard with a pair.
My base model came with them...but as was stated they were GTA specific, but could be ordered as the "Deluxe interior option" Gave you the split rear folding seats as well. Best Looking Door panels GM ever made for 3rd gens, IMO
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Dec 16, 2004 | 12:47 PM
  #20  
I really like the door panels that 90firebird posted. What exactly are those? Has anyone mounted a set like that in a Camaro? Wouldn't I have to hack the drivers side panel up to mount my door lock switches and all the goodes?
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Dec 16, 2004 | 12:49 PM
  #21  
There GTA door panels yes you can put them on a camaro think you need the bracket that holds the door handle though. Im sure you could drill new holes in your stock one if not.
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Dec 16, 2004 | 12:52 PM
  #22  
these look about like the ones I'm interested in:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

Are these panels actually plastic or cardboard? Are they covered in a material or are the plastic? I'm really trying to get out of the fabric look...and more for the plastic/molded look.

Not sure where I would get all of the other stuff though in order to mount them correctly
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Dec 16, 2004 | 01:13 PM
  #23  
I think they are plastic and those dont look like the best shape.
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Dec 16, 2004 | 02:19 PM
  #24  
here is a pretty nice set that IrocZDave Has...

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Dec 16, 2004 | 04:21 PM
  #25  
The screws on a 'deluxe' panel fire straight (horizontally) at the bracket and has 'plug' to hide them in the side of the armrest.
The camaro's screws diagonally up from the underside to the bracket.

And up next....door panels-image1.gif  

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Dec 16, 2004 | 04:30 PM
  #26  
How do you remove the door panels? How many screws and do you need special tools?

Thanks, Dora
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Dec 16, 2004 | 04:34 PM
  #27  
The ones i had were fiberglass. all you would have to do to mount them in a Camaro (or firebird not equipped with them) is get the metal brackets for the armrests as well.
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Dec 16, 2004 | 05:08 PM
  #28  
i hate our doorpanels.. i just dont think their worth it at all.. i go to close the door with that big azz handle thing.. it feels like im closing a door thats been welded at the hinges.. all heavy and stuff.. just hate them but id go all 4th gen no matter what the cond of the 3rd gen stuff
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Dec 16, 2004 | 06:11 PM
  #29  
you can get nice plain regular pontiac door panels with no pockets they would look nice, i changed from a grey to black int in my iroc , but i couldn;t find door panels except manual window ons so i cut a small piece of carpet out of the floor under the back seat to fill in the hole where the crank was, turned out great i think
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Dec 16, 2004 | 07:23 PM
  #30  
Quote:
Originally posted by 84customZ28
here is a pretty nice set that IrocZDave Has...

Looks great, keep in mind you will have to do something else with your power mirror switch.
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Dec 16, 2004 | 07:31 PM
  #31  
My problem is i have manual windows i dunno if i should go power.
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Dec 16, 2004 | 08:11 PM
  #32  
Quote:
Looks great, keep in mind you will have to do something else with your power mirror switch.
you read my mind

I'm just kind of throwing some idea's up in the air right now...but these GTA door panels look pretty good...I'm looking for that more "molded" look...instead of a piece of cardboard with fabric & rubber on it. Could I just a portion of the GTA door panel out and mount power mirror switch?
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Dec 16, 2004 | 08:37 PM
  #33  
I say go with the gta panels if anything! I have them in my gta and love them. Would love to put a black set in my Z!
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Dec 17, 2004 | 12:59 AM
  #34  
Quote:
Originally posted by 84customZ28
you read my mind

I'm just kind of throwing some idea's up in the air right now...but these GTA door panels look pretty good...I'm looking for that more "molded" look...instead of a piece of cardboard with fabric & rubber on it. Could I just a portion of the GTA door panel out and mount power mirror switch?
You're mirror switch isn't in the center console?
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Dec 17, 2004 | 03:44 AM
  #35  
I think Camaro's have it on the door panel.
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Dec 17, 2004 | 09:38 AM
  #36  
Quote:
You're mirror switch isn't in the center console?
nope, just the mirror switches and hatch release..not the mirrors
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Dec 17, 2004 | 10:06 AM
  #37  
Quote:
Originally posted by 84customZ28
nope, just the mirror switches and hatch release..not the mirrors
I think what custom meant to say was window switches and hatch release.

Anyways, I am fairly shy about cutting up parts, were you planning on putting it back on the door or somewhere else? Moving it should not be too bad as you would have to pull the mirror harness back through the door and dash. It's a seperate harness, but I can't remember of hand how much lenth there is between the driver's mirror connection and the switch connection. You may have to lenthen a few wires...
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Dec 17, 2004 | 11:03 AM
  #38  
Quote:
Originally posted by 84customZ28
nope, just the mirror switches and hatch release..not the mirrors
Is it one of those joystick mirror adjuster things?
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Dec 18, 2004 | 09:13 AM
  #39  
Quote:
Originally posted by 84customZ28
these look about like the ones I'm interested in:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

Are these panels actually plastic or cardboard? Are they covered in a material or are the plastic? I'm really trying to get out of the fabric look...and more for the plastic/molded look.

Not sure where I would get all of the other stuff though in order to mount them correctly
They are a dence type cardboard that has been pressed into shape and then covered in padded vinyl. Very good quailty stuff. all my cars are getting them. Went from grey to black ones in mybird! Ask the seller if they can provide it.

Quote:
Originally posted by Spdfrk1990
There GTA door panels yes you can put them on a camaro think you need the bracket that holds the door handle though. Im sure you could drill new holes in your stock one if not.
Now its not just the arm rest, the plastic piece around the door handle


has a place it mounts to that is not on the flat door panels unless they were equipt with the same piece.
In the below pic I think it is the one behind the door handle. I will have to take some more pics of joes doors. He has both styles. I will have to compare and take pics of both for you guys!

Above pics are on this page...Cardoamin does not hot link well all the time!Cardomain page link

And up next....door panels-imga1013.jpg  

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Dec 18, 2004 | 09:18 AM
  #40  
Quote:
Originally posted by deadbird
The screws on a 'deluxe' panel fire straight (horizontally) at the bracket and has 'plug' to hide them in the side of the armrest.
The camaro's screws diagonally up from the underside to the bracket.
Here is the GTA/deluxe interior option arm rest bracket!

And up next....door panels-arm-rest-support.jpg  

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Dec 18, 2004 | 09:29 AM
  #41  
Quote:
Originally posted by iansane
You're mirror switch isn't in the center console?
The non power cars had the manual window adjust in the drivers door. It was a jotstick looking piece...



I have since done away with it in my door panel swap!
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Dec 18, 2004 | 04:05 PM
  #42  
Do all the GTA door panels have map pockets did any cars with manual windows have these panels.
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Dec 20, 2004 | 12:24 PM
  #43  
Yes, my deluxe package...I had manuel windows, but no map pockets... The hole needed for the window crank is down where the map pocket is...

Check my stereo site...there are pics on my speakers pageStereo site
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Dec 21, 2004 | 10:14 AM
  #44  
Quote:
Originally posted by 84customZ28
if I end up getting a set...I really don't want the map pockets. Is it harder to find them with or without the map pockets?
Harder to find them w/o. I know the map pockets were left off manual window cars, but you end up with the hole where the crank normally goes thru the panel!
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Dec 24, 2004 | 09:29 PM
  #45  
i have these in my car and am thinking about keeping them instead of swapping in the 4th gens.... and just having these dyed and recovered....... they flow pretty well.... and dont have 2 change anything ....... ....... i will have to snap a pic of them with the door shut so u can see the flowish lines lol
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