Ok guys...save me butt... *RS Doorpanels*

[Leland Pate]

Today I got my brand spankin' new carpet set and seats installed. (pics to follow)

Everything looks great! (I'm having a hard time typing right now because I have so much glue on my fingers... they're sticking to the keys )
Anyway, now all I have to do is mount these RS doorpanels.

(I know you all are going to give me hell for being able to rebuild an engine but not figure out how to put in doorpanels.)

I can't figure it out. I have 2 panels, two handles, 4 handle covers, two straps and one little baggie of misc. hardware.

I can't believe I paid $230 for these things and they didn't come with one SCRAP of directions.

How do the handles mount to the actual door? Do I have to drill holes?

How do the straps actually "connect" to the metal release bar?

How the HELL am I supposed to tighten the bolts and screws on the handles?
The outside is covered by the trim...and you can't get your hands behind the doorpanel to tighten it down from behind anyway!!!


How do you do this???!!!

Oh, and I love the short shift kit!

[david w.]

Leland,
I to just purchased the same kit. I also got the early car adapter kit.
This is what O.F.I sent wit my kit (I have not installed them yet.)
I can bearly read it.
Good luck.

[dtw]

Not to change the subject Lee-
but how's the engine??

[tobluforu]

I too did this conversion about 6 yrs. ago on my 72. Same thing-no directions. I had to turn the mechanism around(take it apart) that they gave me to make the door handle(strap) actually open the door-what a joke that was!
I had to drill holes to make the pull handle fit right, I also had to shim it so the plastic covers that cover the screws(I used sheet metal screws) fit right-another joke. The pull strap on my kit is held on by a c-clip.
After all the minor head-aches, they look great!!
I'm pretty sure I had to drill a couple other holes to make it work.
Good luck!

[turbo dave]

My PO did the driver's side, so I just matched what he did on the passenger's side. Yes, I had to drill holes, although a couple holes in the lower part of the panel lined up with holes in the door panel. He also mounted the strap too low, so I had to match that to make it symmetrical

I also had to dremel off some of the door sheet metal opening to the latch area, where the strap runs through, because the strap was wearing on the sheet metal. I wrapped a couple layers of duct tape over the strap, just to add a sacrificial surface in case there is still some wear (a trick I learned from Kluge Mechanics 'R Us, Inc.)

Don't worry- it may not be too pretty underneath, but it looks great on the surface!

[82SC]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62326


http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62171

check them out...

the 2 plastic pieces with holes are the covers for the door pull straps

the 4 clips with the plastic covers are for the handle

email me or call me and I can explain the installation process for you...I took pictures and and am writing up a tech article for it...

I should have it up later tonight

MJ

[stuttgart]

Lee,
It does suck not having any .. instruction's .. but you'l figure it out. The door handles are a pain in the rear .. I'm not sure if they will hold up to pulling on them everyday.. as I had to drill hole's for them but they simply don't feel tight, and i DO NOT want to strip out the hole I drilled. and if you try to tighten the handles all the way down the Palstic pieces on the inside of the door handle won't stay clipped! So well ... but they do look great and they have yet to break on me so I guess it's not all that bad! hahha. Yeah you';; have to remove the metal connecting bar that went from the door to the pull latch it will be removed and then you simply "C" clip the pull strap on to the latch Mech inside the door. it will sipmly pop off if you pullup on it. then you'l see what to do next. well good luck with e project! you'll need it haha J.J. well let us know how ya do.

Ciao, Eric mckenna
SCWDP

[jriera]

Leeland, I don't if will help, I bought the RS America kit from Better Bodies two years ago, same deal.. no instructions, but a phone call later it become very clear how to install them in my 73.5 911T (a different car than your I know)

In my case I removed the door lock mechanism under the arm-rest which give me access to the connecting rod that opens the door, I used a 3" steel "L" from Home Depot, one side of the L goes to the rod, the other end to the pull strap and the middle of the L is attached to one of the holes where the lock used to be with nylocks.. has been installed for over two years now and still working..

I can take some pictures if you want this weekend... But probably your door is different.

Hope this helps.

PS.. Welcome back!

[Vipergrün]

Boy, Leland, I guess you are a die-hard fanatic! If I was gone from my woman as long as you were, I'd be spending the first 2 weeks in bed with her

Did you fire up that heater blower motor yet?

cheers
-Brad
80SC

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by bb80sc
Boy, Leland, I guess you are a die-hard fanatic! If I was gone from my woman as long as you were, I'd be spending the first 2 weeks in bed with her

Did you fire up that heater blower motor yet?

cheers
-Brad
80SC

Gee, I don't want to be quite as crude...but Brad may have a point. Lee, maybe you need to take a wee bit of a break from the P-car, go for a bit of other types of R&R? You know..shoot a game or two of pool, have a beer or two, enjoy a cheeseburger & fries, whatever...

[Leland Pate]

Wow,
Great... the same day I'm about ready to trow crap across the room with frustration, you guys all decide to post threads about the same subject.

One note, my home computer is giving me fits. I am having a hell of a time getting online. So I had to drive all the way to work to get on a computer.

I ran into the EXACT same problem with the door lock knobs. They are an eyesore! I tried all sorts of things. I finally decided to cut the back part of the lock knobs down a bit to hold it all closer. It did work, but now the locks won't move! Very frustrating!
I bought mine from Autos Intl. and they too didn't come with any instructions and were actually short a bolt.
I was so mad. First to mount these things you have to have someone hold the door panel while you push the handle through the inner door and try to get the nuts on the back. Near IMPOSSIBLE!
After that's done, I had a bear of a time with the handle covers not wanting to stay put.
The things just snap on there and it doesn't look like they're going to stay in place forever. One on the drivers side ahas already come loose a couple times.
Verdict: Not too incredibly happy.

The carpet set.
My and my girlfriend spent two days working on the carpet. It went really smooth and was signifigantly easier than those stupid door panels.
I'll take some pics shortly.
The kit was the domestic type and actually looks pretty good!
Verdict: two thumbs up!

Short shift kit.

Works great, I like it.

AJ USA iperformance ignition wire set.
Looked pretty good until I put it in... my number 3 wire has a real bad arc to the valve cover. In my stupidness, i imediately reached in to move it away from the valve cover a bit and got a nice jolt for my efforts.
I'm going to have to return it. Put the old wires back in, and no problems.


Flowmaster dual out system. Just had it put in today.
I love it... sounds great... i was really thinking it was going to be too loud. It is definately loud but not too loud... it is fairly faint in the cabin at cruising speed... until you get on the throttle... then it really roars.

Verdict: Two thumbs up.

More to come... I'll post pics soon!

I may not respond for a while... I have to get my computer fixed asap!

I can't go on without my daily dose of Pelican!!!!

[Superman]

Spend a couple more days with your girlfriend working on the carpet.

[jamesiii]

"Spend a couple more days with your girlfriend working on the carpet."

punny!
LOL