Sorry, didn't know it would be so big ... I didn't want to lose any detail. I think we could safely go a little thicker. 1/8 should be okay.

 

Yea I wouldn't see that being a problem. If I were to replace the panel totally I think I could probably get away with 1/4" if I really wanted to. I think that would look really out of place, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. If it wouldn't be so plane, I could even replace the panel totally with a 1/8" MDF board wrapped with fabric placing all of the panel inserts on after I wrap the board. Just some ideas to throw around.

 

Just be careful ... depending on how you attach it to the door, you don't want weight to be an issue in dragging the panel down.

 

What do you mean? I was planning on using the stock mounting points if reusing the stock panel, or bolting a new panel to the door if I choose that route. I'm not afraid of "over bolting" the new panel to the door. Doing so won't hurt it, and I could probably come up with a pretty neat looking arrangement. It's a Jeep. Bolts and screws look good on a Jeep lol. I'm not worried about the job being show quality and perfect, but I am putting my name on it as my work. As with everything I've done to the jeep, it is an experiment and a true test of my talents and abilities. I want everything on it to look presentable and to show the pride I have of the Jeep and the pride the Jeep shows naturally as a true american legend. I'm still not happy with the cutting I did on my fenders, but everybody that looks at the jeep tells me they look great. It's a lot easier to see imperfections in your work when you did it yourself and know at what points something didn't go as planned.

 

Never stated why the interior panels where getting wet. If it's rain coming in by the windows, replace the outside weather stripping there. (there about $12 ea.). Or your doors are going to rust out from the inside.

 

The door seals themselves are bad (Not the window wipes you suggested) which isn't a huge problem. My doors only really leak from the top front corner in very heavy rain or when parked certain ways on hills. From what I've been told, the door seals very commonly leaked in that location on '96 and lower Xj's. My door panels got wet because I got stuck offroading and filled the interior up to the shift bezel with muddy water. If you've ever seen what a cardboard box does in the rain, you know the position I'm in. The front door panels are completely detatched from the door on the bottom, and the rear panels only have a few clips pulled through the cardboard. I think the panels are ugly and pretty beat up, so replacing them wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

I had the same problem with my 72 Chevelle convertable. I used 1/8 MDF with the bright white coating towards the inside of the door. After cutting all the edges and holes, I applied spar varnish on all the exposed edges to seal the wood.

Let us know how they turn out and include some pictures.

 

I wanna see some before and after pics.

 

Ok, I'm definitely leaning towards the fabric wrapped MDF board. I need to build up some spare funds and find a fabric I like, but once that's done I will definitely make a nice write-up on it.


Figuring I will need:

- Two cans of Duplicolor Vinyl and Fabric paint to change the panel inserts from tan to black
- Four yards of chosen fabric
- One can of spray on adhesive
- One 4x8 sheet of 1/8" MDF
- One can of varnish or similiar sealer (Whatever I find on sale)
- A truck load of screws with whatever style head I find fitting
- A new saw blade or two
- A lot of patience
- Good camera man/woman for write-up pics
- Someone to remind the camera man/woman and I to take pictures.
- Private jet, just incase things get a little out of hand....



Anything I am missing??

 

Hmm, I can't seem to find any MDF online from local stores like Home Depot and Lowes, much less 1/8". I'm trying to price out what I will need, but I have never bought MDF before, it's always been left overs from friends and family. Anybody aware of a place I can purchase some reasonably priced?

 

Try looking in the paneling section. That's where you find it in the store.

 

Is anybody here knowledgeable in fabrics? I'd like to find a fabric similiar to the design on these shoes, but I haven't shopped for fabric a day in my life and am kinda lost. http://www.robertwayne.com/products2...3&nav_chooser= Me in a fabric store is like grandma in autozone

 

I tried looking but there is only decorative panelling there made from MDF. I work at Home Depot on the weekends as an appliance and bulk items loader. I don't spend much time in the store other than to clock in and out, but I have a general idea of where things are. I believe I've seen it there, but I can't seem to find it online.

 

Ok, so I'm pricing some things out and going to get some supplies tomorrow. Can anyone enlighten me as to how I can pay this and make it firm, not fluffy? I want the fabric to be stiff but with some cushion.

 

It is almost impervios to water and is only 1/8" thick . Mind you,you cannot staple it but it weighs next to nothing and is realtively cheap.