5th Gen Full Door Skins?

ElkyDori · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject: 5th Gen Full Door Skins?

I've seen people asking about them a while ago on this forum, but I wanted to see if anyone had an update on a supplier that has actually come through with these.
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Proud owner of his own 5th gen junkyard.

1984 El Camino

2007 Impreza WRX

87ElCamino · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject:

Have you read this thread?

http://elcaminocentral.com/ftopict-2581.html
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Ernie
87 El Camino
Rolling Eyes

"To be Old and Wise, you must first be Young and Stupid"

elcam84 · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

To add to the other thread...

We will most likely see full doors available VS skins for the 5th gens. The reason I say that is because the inside panel usually fails first. It has lots of stress points and it's uncommon to find a door without lots of cracks in it. The worst part is right above the upper hinge.

When you enxounter any cracks in the sheet metal drill a stop hole at the end of the crack to stop it then put a little paint on it.

I'd like a see a door built like the f-bod door.
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Robert Adams
http://gparts.freeyellow.com
84 Conquista

theelcaminofactory · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject:

elcam84 · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:34 pm Post subject:

For the debrie issus... Pop all those plastic plugs out of the bottom of the door. That will help immensely. I have no idea why GM plugged up those perfectly good drain holes.

The problem with the stress cracks on the inner panel is mainly caused by the length of the door and the door hinges. The detent roller puts allot of force ont he door and actually twists it. You can easily see this on the car with the weatherstrip off. It bends allot.

I'll try to get some pics of where they crack. Many of the cracks are around the openenings of the inner panel but the worst ones are at the top of the door above the upper hinge and hidden by the weatherstrip. These are major structural cracks that go unseen for years until the door starts twisting allot when moved. I have seen many of them with over 1" cracks 1/4" apart in a row.

This is part of why they went away from the hinge roller especially on the lighter built doors. I'm working on figuring out another way to do a detent or shock on the doors.
I really hate the hinge detents as they aren't in the right place cause the hinge was designed for 4 dr cars with shorter doors so the door is never where you want it. It also tears up the doors like I said.

One other issue is the span of the inner panel lets it flex allot when even putting mild pressure on the inner door handle. A piece of thin gauge angle iron or sheet metal riveted inside the door easily stiffens this up and makes it feel much more solid.
_________________
Robert Adams
http://gparts.freeyellow.com
84 Conquista