Installing Interior Quarter Panel Tips?

[Ol'Blue]

Installing new vinyl covered quarter panels, no top style and I thought Velcro would be a good idea.

What is a good adhesive to bond the Velcro to the panel the to the bed?

I also plan to use some aluminum angle mounted to the wheel well and bed as backing to the panel. Will the same adhesive work to bond the angle to the bed?

Really dont want to drill more holes in her.

I also plan to bond some MDF sheeting to the back in a few areas to give them added strength.

Any other tips are appreciated.

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/1977_Black_Vinyl_Interior_Quarter_Panels_No_Top

 

[DirtDonk]

I love those things. A friend and I both went for the parchment versions.
I haven't installed them yet, but I'm pretty sure he did just what you're suggesting. I would think with the right 2-sided tape, adhering some angle aluminum would be a piece of cake and very secure.
Not just the generic stuff you would find at the home store though. I mean the real stuff that glues aircraft fuselage panels together! Tough stuff that!

Pretty sure Dave just used Velcro all the way around though, and didn't bother with either the lower angle braces OR the MDF backing. His is captured pretty well by the roll-cage though, so maybe he was thinking it wouldn't need much in the way of extra strength.

I'll check in with him to see what he did and get back to you.

Paul

 

[Ol'Blue]

I love those things. A friend and I both went for the parchment versions.
I haven't installed them yet, but I'm pretty sure he did just what you're suggesting. I would think with the right 2-sided tape, adhering some angle aluminum would be a piece of cake and very secure.
Not just the generic stuff you would find at the home store though. I mean the real stuff that glues aircraft fuselage panels together! Tough stuff that!

Pretty sure Dave just used Velcro all the way around though, and didn't bother with either the lower angle braces OR the MDF backing. His is captured pretty well by the roll-cage though, so maybe he was thinking it wouldn't need much in the way of extra strength.

I'll check in with him to see what he did and get back to you.

Paul

Thanks Paul, any idea where I can get that stuff?

 

[73azbronco]

It's called JB weld, the aircraft version just costs more. BUTTTT, be real sure you want to do that. Glue on paint sometimes pulls the paint off and now you are back where you started. Next, do you really want to permanently glue it? Maybe some well placed small pop rivets?

 

[Ol'Blue]

It's called JB weld, the aircraft version just costs more. BUTTTT, be real sure you want to do that. Glue on paint sometimes pulls the paint off and now you are back where you started. Next, do you really want to permanently glue it? Maybe some well placed small pop rivets?

Ya, I hear you. I think Im going to test just the adhesive that comes with the Velco and not go glue crazy. As for the angle metal, I think I can live with some rivets or small screws. Thanks,

 

[DirtDonk]

For the heavy duty stuff, we're only talking about for the angle aluminum strips to act as bolting flanges for the areas around the wheel well. Where Ford welded similar things for the later Ranger side panels.
The stuff I'm talking about might not peel the paint off, but it's not going to come off willingly either. If you leave the angle brackets on however, that will never be an issue.

For the panels around the body, Velcro is a hit-or-miss proposition. Here's what my friend said about this:

"Paul, I used small sections of Velcro everywhere but the lowers and wheel wells. They seem pretty secure with no attachment there.
If I was going to do it again I might consider the panel clips like the some of the door panels use. The bent up ones that push into holes in the sheet metal. Reason being is that the Velcro is about 1/8” thick with both sides and the panel sits off the body just a bit.

If you are advising someone… You need to make sure you do not secure it too close to a roll bar as it will be difficult to remove when the time comes.

Dave"

Here's a pic of his parchment panels installed.

Not much detail on the panels, but you can see what he's dealing with and why he recommends only putting the Velcro where you can pull the panels off away from the tubes.
And the nice way they highlight the interior. Really finishes it off.

Paul

 

[Ol'Blue]

Thanks Paul and 73. I mocked up some sacrificial panels out of MDF to test fit as I am cutting speaker holes etc. and dont want to jack up my new vinyl ones.

Also got some Velcro and yes its about 1/8" thick but I think I can live with that gap between the body and the panel.

I couldn't figure out a way to use the same fasteners they use on the door panels. The fasteners would have to be glued on creating the same gap the Velcro would.

Will try and finish Saturday with some pics.

Thanks for the tips, very helpful.