Butchering up NICE 79 door panel yeah or neah

ponixpress · Jan 30, 2025

In the search for weight savings I have decided to go with manual crank windows .I was on the hunt for 79-80 door panels for my 1990 mustang.. My question has anyone installed the 79-80 door panels with success in later model ? I know the the armrest/pull doesn't line up and I would have to cut a new hole for lock switch and door handle .. Unfortunately these door panels are extremely nice and so are quarter plastics I couldn't leave them behind but damn there almost to nice to butcher up .My dilemma sell everything and continue the search or butcher up the door panels ... Thoughts and opinions

limp · Jan 31, 2025

Just recently there were some people desperately searching for these..... Seem a shame to butcher them up...

Bullitt347 · Jan 31, 2025

I did some comparisons on weight savings between power and manual windows on my racecar.
I found that there was 1 lb difference per door. (89 Mustang)
I left the power windows in. I relocated the power window switches because the door bars were interfering with the door pull/arm rest.
The convenience is worth 2 lbs total.
I can find 2 lbs elsewhere.
I replaced the stock door panels with Scott Rod aluminum panels.

AeroCoupe · Jan 31, 2025

Why not just put 87-93 manual crank window door panels on it? Might take a little searching but you can find them.

ponixpress · Jan 31, 2025

limp said:
Just recently there were some people desperately searching for these..... Seem a shame to butcher them up...

Yeah that's the debate I am having cut em up or just turn around and sell them ..I really was hoping for a set that was in worse shape that I could just recover with four way stretch vinyl..But the armrest/ pulls are made unatanium & good luck finding them let alone a extremely nice panel..

Noobz347 · Jan 31, 2025

Something like this might be an option:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/968517892/73-79-ford-truck-78-79-ford-bronco

This one is for a Bronco but a lot of times, you can contact them with a simple template and they'll just make you one.

ponixpress · Jan 31, 2025

AeroCoupe said:
Why not just put 87-93 manual crank window door panels on it? Might take a little searching but you can find them.

Honestly I am looking for ways to save weight in a more tasteful way . Yes I could go aluminum panels but for this build with a black interior aluminum panels just not for me . The weight difference between the 1979 door panel and my 1990 panel with the he armrest is four pounds per door .So eight pounds weight savings just indoor panels. And trying to find manual BLACK panels in great shape $$$

AeroCoupe · Jan 31, 2025

Aluminum powder coated black?

Noobz347 · Jan 31, 2025

Sheet of ABS that you can cut and bend into any shape you want?

ponixpress · Jan 31, 2025

Bullitt347 said:
I did some comparisons on weight savings between power and manual windows on my racecar.
I found that there was 1 lb difference per door. (89 Mustang)
I left the power windows in. I relocated the power window switches because the door bars were interfering with the door pull/arm rest.
The convenience is worth 2 lbs total.
I can find 2 lbs elsewhere.
I replaced the stock door panels with Scott Rod aluminum panels.

It's not for everyone but I am personally willing to live without power windows,door locks but I draw the line at power mirrors.I

Bullitt347 · Feb 1, 2025

Remove the crash bar from inside the door. On my 89, it was worth 15 lbs per door.
Those things were shaped like a guard rail.
My buddies 93 vert has just a round tube, he only saved like 3 lbs per door.
Obviously, if this is a street car, you probably want to keep them in place.
If you have a roll bar with swing outs, then you can remove them with no worries.

Butchering up NICE 79 door panel yeah or neah

ponixpress

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Attachments

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

ponixpress

Member

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

ponixpress

Member

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

ponixpress

Member

Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time

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Butchering up NICE 79 door panel yeah or neah

Member

Attachments

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

I have been doing it wrong this whole time

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Member

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Member

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Member

I have been doing it wrong this whole time

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