Installing inner door panels on a BJ-7?

[robert_ellison]

Can anyone suggest a workable method of installing the inner door panels on a BJ-7. I am so far unable to get them into the opening. Also, if they are totally within the door there seems to be a bit of metal showing behind the outer panel on the front side. Any input?

Robert

 

[Phoenixuph]

Originally there is a part of the inner door skin that you can see when the outer panel is fitted.
Hope these pictures will help.

Dave.

 

[BlueRidge2]

Dave, Nice seats and interior. Looks like someone swiped your gearshift? Bob

 

[Money_Pit]

Here's a more current photo with the gearshift lever in that's now hooked up to a 5 speed Supra.

DT

 

[Money_Pit]

And another showing some of Mike Lemperts fine work!

DT

 

[robert_ellison]

Dave,
I'm confused. I had thought that the panel fit within the door shell and not over the opening and attached to the outer frame as shown in your photo. Is this a BJ-7?

Robert

 

[John Loftus]

Robert,

Dave's pictures do not show the correct inner panel assembly for a BJ7. Take a look at the following links. The inner panel slides between gaps in the sheet metal so the bottom portion goes inside the door and the top portion stays to the outside and follows the contours of the indented area. Having the bottom go inside the door gives more space for storing maps or small items. The small aluminum tab holds the panel steady along the bottom. Upon final assembly, you can see some sheet metal visable between the two upholstered panels (both front and rear vertical areas). I've seen where this was painted by the factory black on a white car with a black interior (third picture).

inner panel 1
inner panel 2
Factory BJ7 door

 

[robert_ellison]

John,

Thanks for the info and photos.

I don't know what car my doors came off of but they are definetely not like yours, no notches, plus the kilmartin panel wasn't exactly right. Anyway, what I ended up doing was cutting away sufficient metal from the inner door to enable me to easily fit the panel entirely within the door, then bent the inner panel to a steeper angle so it fit tightly against the inner door, then, as there was a gap at the latch end I ran a sheet metal screw through the inner door and into the panel, cinching it tightly against the inner door. Now, to all visual appearences, it looks like it was supposed to.

Robert

 

[John Loftus]

Robert,

Just be careful with the length of any screws used in the door (all panels, door pull attachment screws, top rail) If they are too long they can scratch the side window glass. Measure twice as they say!

FYI, found a better picture (after media blasting) that shows the cutouts better. The flange right under the gap is bent to make inserting the inner panel possible. I also noticed there were three change points in the parts list for the BJ7and BJ8 doors so maybe this was only on the early BJ7's?

inner door

Cheers,
John