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Door Vinyl Install

bobbysjeep

bobbysjeep

Legacy Registered User
City
Charlotte
State
NC
Before Putting the vinyl on I replaced the door glass and all the window seals, cleaned and greased everything on the doors. I didn't bother taking many pictures because Jeff did a great write-up on this not to long ago.

https://www.cj-8.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22240&highlight=door&page=66

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I finally got around to replacing my door vinyl. I bought them from Austin Jeeps almost a year ago. When I held them up against the door I realized that they didn't line up very good. In the first couple photos you can see that if I line up around the door handle then the front edge was off by a 1/4 inch. I did talk to Mike the owner of Austin Jeeps and he's stand-up guy and offered to refund my money. He told me that they will cover if you take your time and work them into place. First I heated the vinyl and worked left to right pulling as I went. Then I had to cheat the black metal surround all the way to one side and it covers by about 1/16th of an inch. After I put the new paddle handles on everything looks fine.



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How is the rubber that the window fits into held in the door frame? It is the u shaped rubber that is in the outside edge of the door and when the window is up it seals around the window.

Karl
 
Looks nice and clean!
What kind of quality are the reproduction handles?
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Thanks... The overall look and feel are close, good reproductions (appearance). From what I have heard they vary quite a bit and some of them don't come with the rubber gasket. When I got mine, they looked identical on the exterior and had the gaskets, but the mechanisms were different. The one on the left was thin and just looked weak. I sent it back and got another one that had the heavier mechanism. After putting them in, the door wouldn't open. It needed just a little bit more travel, so I used a small sanding disk and removed some material where the mechanism contacts the stop. I also had to grind down the shims that hold the handles in place. They were a little to tall to fit into the new handles. Now they work and look great.



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How is the rubber that the window fits into held in the door frame? It is the u shaped rubber that is in the outside edge of the door and when the window is up it seals around the window.

Karl
Reply With Quote
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Yep. You just fold it into a U shape and push it into the channel. It has a small ridge that locks into place and keeps it from moving or coming out.
 
I've been wondering. My 83 CJ-7 has factory full steel doors with adjustable side vent windows. My 81 CJ-8 has full steel doors without vent windows. Would it be possible for me to install vent windows in my Scrambler somehow without having to replace the entire doors? Is so, is this fairly easily doable?
 
Jeepers 1940- Yes it is possible to replace the fixed vents with opening vent window. They are the same size & come out & install the same. I have a pair of opening vents off my 91 YJ I am thinking of putting in the doors of the Resurrection Scrambler rebuild. I replaced with NOS for about $150 as I remember- nice score that was Normally I see them start at $100 per side! Getting them in/out is a little of a pain but not too bad. FOr the right price I might be willing to part with the opening set. I will have to check them over when I get home next week end & see what shape the weather stripping is in. PM me if you are interested. The driver channel got a little tweaked getting it out since it was the first one I pulled so was the learning curve but I think it is still useable. :cheers:
 
No you can't change out non vent door windows for later vent windows. I tried, only to find the earlier doors have a different design in the metal thats at the bottom of the vent window. you could probably modify the doors by cutting some metal to make them work.
 
bobbysjeep said:
I finally got around to replacing my door vinyl. I bought them from Austin Jeeps almost a year ago. When I held them up against the door I realized that they didn't line up very good. In the first couple photos you can see that if I line up around the door handle then the front edge was off by a 1/4 inch. I did talk to Mike the owner of Austin Jeeps and he's stand-up guy and offered to refund my money. He told me that they will cover if you take your time and work them into place. First I heated the vinyl and worked left to right pulling as I went. Then I had to cheat the black metal surround all the way to one side and it covers by about 1/16th of an inch. After I put the new paddle handles on everything looks fine.


Are all the hard doors suppose to have the black metal surround? The piece behind the paddle. Can this be bought aftermarket?

Karl
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No, was standard on Laredo. I have seen them on a lot of renagdes too, but l am not sure that they were standard. But with everything AMC they could have been on any Jeep probably. Personally I prefer the look with the lines. As for the small black alumium trim ring that goes between the handle and vinyl. It is tough to find and no one reproduces it. If you need detail pics let me know.
 
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pm'd

Nice work and report on the install.

What were the differences in the quality and size of the two companies. ? thanks
z
 
From my experience Austin is the only one who makes the real ones from the actual textured material from back in the day. His black ones from experience are exactly like NOS and after personally meeting him and seeing the process I am convinced. Other ones sold are not as textured, cheaper feeling and not as thick, and the colored ones the color is not correct.
 
I like the aluminum trim ring. If anybody has them I would like to buy a set.
Bobby, any pics you have would help also.

Karl
 
Are all the hard doors suppose to have the black metal surround? The piece behind the paddle. Can this be bought aftermarket?

Karl
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Sorry, I didn't understand your question about the metal surround earlier. Only the doors that came with vinyl have the additional trim surround. You must have it to cover the gap between the handles and vinyl. It is very thin stamped aluminum and usually get dented or bent up over the years. May be tough to locate.

zero2wow said:
pm'd

Nice work and report on the install.

What were the differences in the quality and size of the two companies. ? thanks
z
Click to expand...

I agree with JJ about the texture of Austins being closer to original. I wasn't sure at first so I bought both and ended up using Austin's. Like I mentioned earlier though, once aligned with the front radius, the handle hole was off. I also talked to Mike the owner of Austin Jeeps and he was aware of the issue but assured me that they would cover. The metal trim ended up barely covering the problem.

Collins had no texture and looked like a black sticker, but the dimensions were perfect. I called them reporting the poor texture and feel and they were shocked stating that I was the first person to ever complain and that they were identical to NOS. Rather than push the issue I just sold the Collins ones on eBay.

I hope this helps!
 
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Here is what they look like. The one on the right is NOS and the pair on left is decent used. They are as bobbys says very fragile made from very thin alum it's hard to find them. Karl I can sell you a used pair ill PM you.
 
This pic gives you an idea of how fragile they are. This one was in the wrapper and it appears wavy. The front side has factory black finish back side bare alum.


ImageUploadedByTapatalk1389742687.647148.jpg
 
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