Topic: Deluxe Door Panels - Best Aftermarket Alternatives or Restore Originals?

[Dirk Pitt]

Anyone have any experience with the aftermarket door panels?  I have a set of black aftermarket panels from Urethanes Unlimited (Dashes Direct) and white aftermarket panels from Mustang Market.  Both seem to have their issues.  The Dashes Direct seems to be too "hard" and the grain is a bit too strong.  The courtesy light mount leaves a lot to be desired as well as the version I have only has a urethane foam material to attach to, not the hard plastic as with the original door panels.  The nuts simply cut right through the foam and do not really hold the light that well.  The foam material also is a bit too thick, making the mounting of the courtesy light, the mustang emblem and the lock bezel difficult.

The Mustang Market vinyl seems much closer to the original texture and stiffness but the version I have does not allow for the rivet for the door cup, nor does it have the template cutout for the door speakers.  I have talked with them and they are going to send me an additional piece that I can glue on and then I can attach the door cup rivet.  Looks like I'll have to mark the panel myself for the speaker cutout (no a big problem).

Anyone have any experience with either of the above or even yet another vendor?  How about getting your original panels repaired/restored?  My original panels are not in terrible shape but do have the "usual" cracks/rips around the armrest/door pull.  I'd be interested in hearing what others have done before I trash these or settle for something that ultimately won't look correct.

[Brian Conway]

     Try Mustang Market.com     I have not bought a set for my 69 but did buy a pair for my 65.  Actually was impressed with the quality of the 65 deluxe interior door panels.  Brian

[7Lscjracer]

In case the original speaker cutout on your old panels has been recut, it would have been a rectangle with rounded corners at the top, and no bottom because it's cut right out thru the bottom of the panel.
The cut pattern is stenciled in dash lines on all deluxe panels.
Just don't want you making the mistake of cutting the panel out oval like the door if you don't have an unaltered original panel cutout to copy.
If you need an NOS pair of window crank spacers, let me know.

[7Lscjracer]

The most recent info I could find:

http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/vintage-mustang-forum/632685-who-makes-best-quality-deluxe-door-panel-70-mach1.html

I did hear somewhere that Gene isn't doing anymore work tho.

[must69]

Amazing!  I bought new deluxe door panels for my 69 Mach 1 last year from CJ Mustang (Dashes Direct) and just got to put one on yesterday and found the exact same problems you state: The running horse will not fasten with the original fasteners, had to improvise.  The light "nuts" only fasten to foam, so I have to figure something out there that will make me feel comfortable, and the lock rod bezel was a challenge. 

The next thing that I have not tackled yet is fastening the interior belt weatherstrip.  The original is stapled.   Any idea what type of stapler is required to go through the metal and weatherstrip?  Certainly nothing currently in my shop.  Any help with this is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[ClevelandKid]

I used Mustang Market door panels. Everything fit perfect. and all the holes for all trim was precise including the door lock hole. As far as the weather strip staples goes I used .050 construction staples as the one provided with the window felt kits were too thick and not easily bendable. I measured the width of the staple and pre drill the holes. Inserted the staples and use a pair of needle nose to bent the ends of the staples. I used 6 staples per side evenly spaced out. Used a Sharpie Marker to color them so they wouldn't show. Its been 2 years and no problems with the felts. Nice and snug. Hope that tip helps.