Today I replaced my drivers side door panels using PUI uppers and lowers. I thought I'd share my experience, so here goes. All my parts came from the Elcaminoistore.com. I got upper and lower panels, new door carpet, new pull strap hardware (whatever you call those things), armrests, new mylar watersheilds and new jute insulation. I had my original pull straps reupholstered. The mylar shields fit pretty well, but were off far enough I ended up taping them to the door around the perimeter. I also had to trim it some where some screw holes didn't line up. The jute insulation held no suprises and went in as is. The lower panels had 2 holes to screw the armrests to the panel, but there was no way those 2 screws were going to hold over the long term, so I took a die grinder and a rotary file and cut slots to match the original panel, then reused the U nuts and screws. I also ordered the wrong panel without the hole for the remote mirror adjustment, so again I replicated the hole in the original panel with the die grinder. The upper panels come with perforated holes for the window crank and the pull strap hardware, as well as the retainer clips. These have to be trimmed out, as well as the vynil and the foam padding. The retainer holes were oversize, resulting in the retainers fallg out when trying to install them. One was out of place as well, so I drilled a new hole in the door for that one. After a couple of tries I realized the excess material on the lower edge of the upper panel needed to be trimmed back to the cardboard backing. It was a bit of a juggling act to get it all put together, but I did get it done. I'm not especially happy with the fit of the armrests, and the door carpet was a joke. It wasn't even cut straight, and when you trim it lots of fibers came out. The finished product turned out acceptably, but doesn't quite have the OE look. I posted a pic on my photobucket account in my sig. I'll do the other one tomorrow, then start to get the Regal dash installed. Stay tuned for further details.

Sounds like you had a fun filled day...good information though. Doesn't look too bad at all from the pic.

Sometimes it's almost like scratch fabbing when the "OEM Fit"........doesn't.
It sounds like you overcame it nicely. Of course when I went to your Photobucket album, I checked out the TA rear cover photo.......again.....for the 10th time. I am starting to feel like Gollum and that cover is my "Precious".
Craig

Gee was just there with my 69 , replaced a set of PUI panels form some years ago with PUI panels. This time the panel quality had the right look and design was as good and I still think it is the best in the market. BUT the FIT just plain SUCKED, off and on 4 times to realign and re cut there holes. Final result was great but the last I look none of the original holes moved on any of the factory doors of our cars it's purely bad manufacturing with no care at all to check a product for quality control. But I would rather re-fit them then look at the other really bad copyies of panels by the other so called great looking reproductions out there that don't come very close for the same price and I don't know how they fit so? If you find the guy that coined the phrase and sells stuff and says "IT BOLTS RIGHT ON" shoot him and send me the bill.

I went and set up an account with PUI at our shop just so I could get them to Make a set of '72 Monte Carlo door panels up for me with the metal top plates for an Elky installed in them so I could change all of my interior over to Monte Carlo in my '71 Elky...
I have power windows in my Elky and I did not want to cut a hole in the new panels for the vent window crank so I am changing the vent's over to power also that way I can use a 4 gang Monte window switch to run all 4 windows...
The Panels turned out great and I was very happy with them other than the price for putting in the Elky top plates...

Only thing I've used from PUI is seat upholstery for my Malibu, and it went on very good, and looks great.

I should add that the seat covers were OK in fit and finish.

Who is PUI ?

Parts Unlimited inc. Glenn they are the marker of restoration interior for all models of collector cars and other. The panels you got are from PUI, very correct looking just not fitting as good as in the past but that is true of anything that says bolts right on.

I mentioned in another post I did the seats with a THE prototype 60/40 bench seat covers from PUI. I was looking on their site but they didn't have the 60/40 listed, so I emailed them. I got reply saying they had no pattern for them, but if I would send mine in they would use them for it and give me the first set. That's them in my photobucket. I found it strange they didn't them already, seems like there thousands like mine out there. Whatever, FREEBIE!