81 K10 Build

[Mike81K10]

I am working on freshening up my aftermarket cheap door panels that I had put on a few years prior to my build. I still have the OEM panels that was on my truck when it came off the showroom floor. I took a pick of the part numbers that are located on the inside and a full view pic of both the LH and RH.

The OEM door panels have the foam cushion around the bottom and are so much better built than the cheap plastic. Would like to find quality OEM replacements that are not the cheap plastic. I don't understand why the flexible durable vinyl plastic is no longer made. My original OEM panels are in bad condition, but they did last much longer than the trash today.

The blue was my original truck color when new. It was a light/baby blue solid color inside and out.

[Mike81K10]

I notice the PP on the OEM door panels. The new ones I have been seeing are made of ABS. The aftermarket ones I bought about 5 or 6 years ago are ABS. The ABS is hard, breaks easy, and is not at all flexible. ABS is  probably cheep to use and perhaps being cheap material is why all these aftermarket door panels seem to be of ABS. Try to stay away from ABS.

Wikipedia

Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer and it is normally tough, durable, and flexible and is often used as an engineering plastic. It is competitive to materials such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and I would prefer it to ABS if it available as an option.

[Mike81K10]

Got my door panels and arm rests colored in NAPA Red and ready to install. The were black when purchased.

They were bought about 5-7 years ago and are the cheap ABS plastic. The price was not cheap, just the quality. I remember when I received them (online order) and was disappointed in the quality. They are not nearly as good as the OEM plastic because the after market panels are very rigid and break easy. I have a small crack I put in one when it was brand new. The OEM panels were somewhat flexible and not as easy to break/crack.

[VileZambonie]

Definitely worth fixing up a good used set over the aftermarket ones

[Mike81K10]

Wish mine was worth fixing! My OEM panels are beyond help.

[Captkaos]

How bad are they? I have fixed some that were pretty bad...

[Mike81K10]

They are dry rotted (Bad cracking and flaking). They sat for so long in my shed and were not laying flat, they warped. One has a 4-6 inch crack (tear) in it. Just don't see any hope for them. If I ever find some in a salvage yard, I will buy them.

[Captkaos]

I have fixed them with fiberglass resin and some heat.

[Chevygold]

Hi Mike just read through your whole story from start to end as I am part way through a rebuild of my '76 C10 and it was truly inspirational!
My truck was an import from Nevada so pretty solid with the exeption of the usual fender bottoms and a bit of rot in the bed sides. Paint was well and truly sun burned which is where I am at the moment, finished painting the cab earlier this week and got the screen and slider back in yesterday.
Doors still need stripping of paint now that the guts are out then fenders to repair then paint and being a long bed there's lots to paint!
Really must take some pictures and get them up.

Graham

[Mike81K10]

Thanks for the idea of using fiberglass Captkaos. Chevygold - best of wishes for your 76. It has been a big learning experience doing my build. Learn much from others in the forum and from mistakes and do overs along the way.

Try to do things right the first time as you work and take a second and sometimes a third look at things you are doing. Take many pictures before you tear down things to aid when you have to put it back together. Keep everything you removed and tear apart organized and where you can find it later, even the smallest parts.

[Mike81K10]

Getting started working on a new engine build for my truck in the engine section. When done, I will post installing it on this thread.

[Chevygold]

Thanks Mike, this where I am just now, bit of a before and after shot.

[Mike81K10]

Appears to be a good base to work from!

[Chevygold]

Thanks Mike. Nevada truck so not too much tinworm, usual bottoms of front fenders fixed with patch panels, now painted ready to fit once I've dealt with the inner wheel wells and rad support panel strip and paint, they're next to be blasted.
Graham