Riv-nut door panels

OldTrucksRock

My door panels are in bad shape as the particle board door backing is falling apart from 35 years of absorbing moisture. If this door panel was in the military its rank would be Major Warpage. The slots and holes for each of the 16 plastic pokey things were not secure at all. Someone in the past had tried to help the situation with mailing tape, but that wasn't working well either hah.

I already have all the materials and will make some custom door panels in the near future, but for now I got the Harbor Freight rivet-nut gun and went to work installing some rivet nuts that are much more secure than the plastic pokey things.

A 23/64 drill bit easily made the original holes in the door sheetmetal the perfect size to install M6 riv-nuts. I went for that industrial look with black cone-shaped washers and shiny chrome bolts for the install.

Axel-Breaker-Earl

Never seen them done like that before! Looks good!
I have a pair of brand new Mazda door panels like those.......same color and all. One day I will use them in my red regular cab truck.

OldTrucksRock

Axel-Breaker-Earl

I'm already getting the feeling my 'temporary' solution might still be the solution years from now. It just works.

Though I'm still missing one of the 3 rods for the driver's door lock mechanism, so I can't lock the driver's door. Meaning this panel will come off again to repair the lock.

OGMB2K

I'm with you, I will be using aluminum, backed with sound deadening material to make my door panels, giving me the opportunity to "wrap" them any way my daughter sees fit. I too will be using the Riv Nuts to secure it to the doors with anodized washers matching other accessories on the truck.

Looks good.

OldTrucksRock

I forgot to show the before and after

MazdaMitch

Those are going anywhere! Ha!
I like rivnuts and have a tool with several before HF decided to get some.
The thing with HF is they will put up a tool for sale and no consumables to go with it.

I mentioned it to a store manager that HF could make even more money if they sold rivets separate from the kit they sell. You have to resort to getting more elsewhere. Missed opportunity.

Anyways, I have had everything I need to doy door panels in my red truck so that it matches my seats and console for years and have not gotten around to it yet. Sure need too.

I "may" do the rivnuts but if I do I will cover them with a trim piece held in place with magnets or something.

Still thinking....

OldTrucksRock

That's a good point Mitch, the HF tool includes a few riv-nuts but not enough to do 32 holes like B2200 door panels. Missed opportunity. "We'll get you started but after that, go spend your money somewhere else." Huh.

So I opened up the wallet and spent $9 on Amazon for 100 stainless steel riv-nuts. Along with 50 bolts and 50 cone-shaped washers for $22.

I did a test-drive with door panel installed for the first time, so quiet. When I bought my 2200 the driver's door panel was already removed and stored behind the bench seat because the lock was not working (still not working because of missing rod). Road noise has been loud with no panel, but she's quieter now.

Cusser

I also have purchased the HF rivet nut kit to have around when needed, but haven't yet used it.

brapamaldi

ive done this on my passenger door. the only issue i had was the one hole right near the hinge that required me to shorten my rivnut a little to get it in and I run a shorter bolt in that hole.