early door pocket help

[edmayo]

I was able to find this photo I did years ago, used rope to show the path for the bungee. There were originally plastic sleeves to tie off the ends, if they're missing a knot will do.

[camarilla]

I'm sorry I can't give you specifics on doing it right. But that's not right. The far left tip is going to rip into the door rubber. And obviously the arm rest and pocket are not lining up like they should. Hopefully someone can give more guidance. Maybe that's not a factory door? Or the body has warped, so it won't fit right anymore?

Hey Jay thanks, I‘m aware theres a gaping hole between the handle and door pocket . Door pocket is warped and needs to get reshaped - it’s on the to-do list… just not on the top right now. Door has been closing fine… for now. I’ve had a perfectly aligned door pocket in another car rip open exactly due to scenario you described so I’m well versed in the world of door pocket problems…..

[alpenstrasse]

David -- I really like the look of the '74 pockets and armrests the way you have installed them in the '73. Are the attachment points and the opening mechanism same locations, or did you have to fiddle with all of the above to make them fit?
And the top of the driver side pull -- did you just drill a new hole in the door there, backing plate?
Thank you for any info you can provide.
Fred

Push the pocket against the door handle and see if it conforms to it, if it doesn't you'll have to fix that first.
The design of these pockets was assigned to a very junior intern at the factory by the name of R. Goldberg.

I spent ten years fiddling with these things in a hot humid climate with little enduring success. The bungee cord gives out, the pocket warps, the silver trim pops off etc.etc. I finally committed the sin of mounting 74 door pockets made of thermoplastic, (not fibreglass, those warp too), that are produced by a very innovative fellow in Florida Lincoln Interiors or something like that. Never a problem since then. Heresy I know, but practical. I think he sells on Ebay now.
Another benefit is that you gain a door handle to close the door with instead of having to pull the fixed pocket.

[RSTarga]

I did this around 40 years ago, but I don't remember having to drill additional holes except maybe at the bottom of the door pockets. I have since changed out the door cards to some from APPBIZ and changed the pockets to ABS as the originals were cardboard and not great quality. Here are pictures of my door and the cards I got from APPBIZ. Compare to your door.
Keep all your old stuff, (not like I did).

[RSTarga]

Don't forget the plastic, good time to clean out drain holes, check for rust and grease everything up.

[alpenstrasse]

David, thank you for the info. Did you go RS style? I only see RS / RSR / RSA options on Appbiz site.

[1969911T]

Check pelican BBS for a good tutorial on how to do this correctly. I can never get bungee installed and still have tension on it when door is closed.
Good Luck,
Phil

I got bungee cord from Pelican and it was too large in diameter to easily slide through the steel guides in the door handle assembly. No matter how tight you pulled the bungee cord, either the door would not stay open or when loosening the bungee cord then the door would not close as tight as it should.

I found some smaller diameter bungee cord on eBay, which helped and got the door to close (and miss the door post) plus the door would stay open when needed

I believe the remaining problem is the bungee cord hangs up going around the 90 degree turn at the steel guides in the door handle assembly. Still haven't thought of a solution, but think the answer is some way to smoothly increase the radius of the 90 degree turn. Any suggestions?
Steve

[RSTarga]

David, thank you for the info. Did you go RS style? I only see RS / RSR / RSA options on Appbiz site.

I just got the door card, which can be used in many configurations. It has many possible cutouts which are pre perfed. I covered in leather.
You have to call APPBIZ for many items not on his site.
Avoid fiberglass pockets the ABS are much better quality.

[alpenstrasse]

Gotcha. Thank you. Very helpful. I actually had Appbiz cards in a prior car, not installed by me, but those were the RSR-style, which I think are a tad too ubiquitous. ;-)