well they are bout 80% done so i can start showing some of the earlier progress pictures. in case you haven't seen them already take a look of some of the starting molds. the finished product is based off of several different aspects from newer gm pannels.

all input good and bad is welcomed, finished product should be done by mid february and they should be available for sale by may 09 at the latest. the doors are currently cut for a 8" woofer but will include a adapter plate for 6.5" components.

unfortunately they will be a bit expensive at roughly $200 a pannel but at least it will be an option. utilizing factory christmas trees to attach all factory mounting points are being used.

 

it looks cool , but i made something similar for my car and found out it took alot of leg space

 

I think they look like ***t.

 

I think you took it a bit to far.

 

I like the utilization of the Factory Door Handle Plastics.

 

You mentioned these are the starting molds and not the final version... with that in mind, my suggestions would be to smooth out the angles more; it almost looks like someone roughly carved some balsa wood blocks and glued them on there. Our cars have tasteful curves, and the door panels should reflect that. If there was one thing that just popped out as something that needs to changed, it would be the arm-rest area. That sucker needs to be smoothed out.

What are you using to build your panel molds off of? 1/8" plywood panel, foam shapes, and 'glassed fleece?

 

the factory plastic was there for a reference. thanks for the kind words lol. more pictures as they are finished.

 

Looks interesting. At least it will be an option for aftermarket panels.

 

IMO it's not for me. I think you moved too far away from the stock door panel design. If I was doing one I would keep the overall layout of the panel the same. I would mold the armrest into the door panel and keep the stock latch release handle/switch panel. I would add some thickness to the panel for character but not too much that it interferes with leg room.

That's awesome that you can do this kind of work. Good luck with the panel. And good luck with your hood project too.

 

Hey, I think they're going to look pretty good bud, that's alot of hard work and time you got in those!

Chuck

 

Am I seeing this correctly that you did this to tuck in over the roll bar? If this is the case.... sweet! Two thumbs up!

 

thank you for the comments everyone. yes they were designed to work with my roll bar in mind but also just about any roll bar in similar style. obviously it's a poor angle photo to show depth and overall design but it was just the finished starting point of the setup if that makes any sense. much like most things it's best to see it in person or finished product but leg room is not an issue and overall style with the exception of where the door and dash meet flows very well with a stock interior or full custom which is nice. closed the unit looks excellent. unfortunately because of the squareness of the dash while open there is a flat spot area but i feel it's very minor.

again the picture is a rough outline of the clay design, when finished it will have been through 20 major changes but overall it works well with nice practicle features and modern enough looks without detracting from factory interior.

in the end we'll see but so far it's been a fun project.

 

how far does the sub stick out

 

a few inches

 

the ones i did stuck out almost 4 in. also pretty basic compared to yours

 

Kandied, this is going into your car? The slammed, making my teeth hurt with so much candy, grippin tire, wheel dishing camaro?

I'd have to say it is very large, or so it seems, please post side views and such if possible, maybe even sit in the passenger area and take a picture with you in a comfortable position...no leg crossing or indian style here...WERE MEN!

Take care K91Z, cant wait to see it finished

P.S. I dont like em....yet, but maybe color and fabric will bring out it's inner beauty...

 

 

lol yes, i'm surprised by the resonses i'm getting as these things look hot in the car and hardly any room is lost at all. to each their own. thanks anyhow!


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at the most outward point it's 3.65" further then the stock pannel.

 

Looks good. And you are selling them? I cant wait if thats the case.

 

maybe the unfinished look is tricking everybodys eyes 3.5 in. isnt that muchthats probably about how far the armrest sticks out

 

exactly that was the general idea. granted leg room is quite important especially for taller people as i myself only being 6'2" i value every inch i get.

as i said i appreciate all the opinions good or bad, best to say your worse now right.


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that is the goal assuming i can keep the cost down to less then new oem replacements. so far so good though.

 

i saw the other ones you sold on ebay they went for alot. your doing alot of work hope you get at least that for these. good luck

 

the others were built by a shop here locally. i didn't like them so i pulled off the fabric and sold them as cheap as i could. starting costs of true custom door pannels in michigan is roughly $500. if i can come up with something like this that is light, full fiberglass and make it as cheap as stated that would be great but primarily i'm obviously trying to just get a set initially for myself.

most custom shops charge roughly $65 or more an hour to do something like this so you can see how expensive they can get real fast and if anyone thinks what is pictured above can be done in under half a days work it's a major eye opener.

anyhow it's the starting point, just thought i'd share as everyone always asking to see something custom so here you go. can't get more custom in ideals.

 

looking good!

i want more pics of your cage! That door bar in the pic is what i was planning to do, and now here it is! Have more pics?

 

I'm hoping that's a bad perspective...i unfortunately agree w/the masses..they look fat to me. Opinion may change in the car. Like the idea, just not the execution on the pod. love everything else on the car minus the cage and those panels...

 

Click here

 

thanks, but what does that have to do with anything?

Look in the pic that Kandied91z posted, you can see a door bar with the door panel. The bar is bent really low and run under the armrest, then sweeps up to the main hoop. totally different than the standard cage layout in orrz's post.

 

Looks good. I will be waiting for the finished pics.
Kory

 

Sorry, I should have been more specific. If you had scrolled down in that post, you would have seen pictures of my setup, along with Kandied91Z's & TPI383's. We all have the same style cage.

 

the color is not for me but i like yours.

 

wow, im sorry, i hadn't look at that post in a week or so and missed what you guys added at the end!

So you made the cage yourself? I saved all the pics and when im ready i guess im going to have to have a copy made for me.

thanks again and sorry for my ignorance
-Phil

 

Very interesting. I am always pleased seeing people develope new things for these cars. Good and bad. My concern is how much wieght would these add to the already heavy doors?

John

 

Yes I did. PM me or post in that thread if you have more questions on the cage. Let's keep Kandied's thread on topic.

Being fiberglass I doubt they would add that much weight, maybe a few more pounds? If you install in the door hinge replacement kit it should help give your hinges a longer life, even if there is a small increase in weight.

 

the cage? what's wrong with that now lol.

wow i forgot about those pics in that link posted... that was a long time ago wasn't it!

as for weight yes they are fiberglass. maybe another pound or two in fact the weight of the factory pannel and factory door pull is about the same if not heavier.

it's very efficient and surprisingly to many posting here has received nothing but great looks. again the picture posted is one of the earlier pictures but even still that's your own opinions.

thanks for the inputs work continues..

 

the bottom line is its your car and money that goes into it as long as you like it thats all that matters and by the looks of the rest of your car i am sure the door panels will flow with the rest of the car.when i do something custom on my car its to my taste and i dont really care what anybody else thinks

 

Kandied, how did they come out? Lets see the finished panels.

 

Yea, I want to see them in the car.

 

I can't wait to see them done. I think 200 a piece for custom door panels is very reasonable. Although a 6.5" speaker is enough in the door for me.

 

they look heavy

 

christ people... it's clay mold it's not the actual door pannel and this was only the first rough cut. of course full clay isn't light. come on now get with it.

 

I think they will look excellent when they are finished.
Are you going to cover them or paint them when they are done?

 

they will be built to look factory. if there is any color it will be minor accent and the rest is carbon fiber to match the console and back half of the car.

 

Any idea on posting finished pics? Are these going to be for firebirds too?

Eric

 

Mm Carbon Fiber