After some time off from the resto, I am finally gettin back into it. I am getting the interior back together and have some questions:

1. Does anyone have any suggestions on the install procedures for the rear interior panels, and upper seat side panel?
2. For the Kick Panel install, carpet first or kick panels first?
3. Door panels - I have OEM and need that KED that has been talked about. Really, any input on the install.
4. Dash Pad - again OEM (I know I never learn). Any recommendations for the fastening at the lower sides to the dash. The fastners don't actually match the original hole in shape, etc.

By the way, I think my interior kit was one of those camaro/firebird one size fits all sets!

Thanks!

Bob

I'll give it a shot but you are asking for a lot of info
1.The rear panels are the most basic. They practically just sit there.
2.It does not matter which you install first.
3.Carefully take your old ones off and save everything. If you have to use the old chrome strips drill holes for the tabs rather than trying to push them through the panels. Don't be afraid to use a few trim screws to hold down the bottom edge. Make sure you pull the panels way down onto the doors before fastening. Make sure the panels don't stop the door from closing correctly before you decide the location of the panels.
4.Here's a trick I thought of for the bottom of the dash pad when the clips are missing or don't work; Fasten a piece of wire to the tabs that are there to fasten down the dash. You can do this by making a loop in the end of the wire. Feed the wire through the hole in the dash. Pull the wire tight and fasten it up under the dash. This will hold the dash pad tight against the dash. Sounds like a cobble but if you do it right it will work nicely.
Jim

recently (this summer) having redone the entire interior and upholstery i will give you my two cents

1. Does anyone have any suggestions on the install procedures for the rear interior panels, and upper seat side panel?

a good suggestion, if you are down to the metal interior, metal brush everything off, sand, then prime with something like POM15 or whatever its called (this just nicely water seals stuff

you should have your water seal paper things now, so you want to lightly rubber seal that into place over top of the newly painted / primed metal

next is the rear panel (the one with the chrome bits on it), this one goes down the rear window slot

now the armrest, it screws through the panel into the body sheet metal, very easy

lastly is the metal corner bit ( has 4 or 5 screw holes into it. line up the upper and the lower... ...some pressing and squeezing will be required.

repeat this process for the other side.

now since you have the seat out as well, before doing the above, maybe replaace your truck seperator thing


2. For the Kick Panel install, carpet first or kick panels first?

on this, i would probably have to say carpet carpet carpet, this way when you are installing the kick panels, they will overlap your carpet slightly and basically hold it down in the front area. when doing the drivers side (this is the pain in the *** one) loosen your parking brake so you can swivel out the arm to get in there

3. Door panels - I have OEM and need that KED that has been talked about. Really, any input on the install.

okay, the doors panels are actually quite easy, the biggest pain was that my snap holes did not line up properly (there are 3 in the front part and 3 in the rear part of the door)

do any and all window / window chanel, door handle, locks and inner door nonsense now, it will be easier than later. like adjusting upper window tensioner

install your splash shield thingy

slide your snap clips onto the door panel and snap into place, if they don't line up, grab a sharpy or other marker, color around the door snap holes and press the panel onto them thus rubbing some markings onto the backside of the panel, thats where your snaps should be adhered

the bottom carpet bit is really simple, just screw the trim screws through


4. Dash Pad - again OEM (I know I never learn). Any recommendations for the fastening at the lower sides to the dash. The fastners don't actually match the original hole in shape, etc.

thats okay, i have an OEM one as well, can't really afford the vinyl one... ...but that was my lesson, i ended up getting a 69 instead of a 68 delivered to me, so it had that weird indent around the drivers side for the 69 dash cluster... ...i made some crazy custom wood finishings for it heres a pic



anyway, i digress, if you have the dash dissassebled (like center console off, and glove box out) it makes installing loads easier, put the bolts that are part of the pad through their holes in the dash metal and speed nut them from the underside. the glove box and second from right are the easiest, second from left is just to the left of the radio beside the instrument cluster, and the drivers side one (most left) is left of the instrument cluster. it should be somewhere above the fuse box.

good luck with you installation

heres my progress and more information about installs and such

http://myfirstgenbird.com

Just wanted to add that you can easily tuck the carpet under the edge of the kick panel.

I noticed that 32 teeth also said that the door panels were easy. Well that's easy to say since he bought pre-assembled STANDARD panels and the question was asked about DELUXE panels which are trickier. I just finished installing some on a 68 with deluxe and they are not simple especially if they are not pre-assembled.
Jim

ya, sorry about that
i have never even seen the custom interior, nor know what it looks like.

just thought i would post some installation tips.
square peg round hole then! :rolleyes:

Didn't want to discourage you. It's all good when you try to help!
Jim

32Teeth and Fbody69 - great input. My biggest issue is getting the snap holes to line up. Got an 18 year old son with some testosterone and magically it seems to work. Who needs a KED when you have a kid!

Good idea on the dash pad also! What no one sees doesn't hurt them. Kinda like the black duct tape thing I read a while ago!

Great Bob! You must have used the wire trick. It will get you out of a pinch.
Jim