I need the rear side panels for my K5. Is this an aftermarket item I can buy? Im interested in seeing pics of what other members have done with there side panels.
Thanks for the help in advance.
As I said in the other thread, I used my used factory panels to make templates.
I basically laid the whole thing out over a sheet of thin (1/4") plywood, and traced the whole thing. The factory panels were covered in vinyl, with padding underneath that, so it wasn't an exact trace. I lined up one straight edge of the plywood with the top edge of the panel, so at least one side was square to the body of the truck. With the rest roughly traced, I started fitting it in the K5, and trimming where necessary. I eventually got what I felt was a really good fit. The plan was to make an exact duplicate of that panel, then cover both with foam and vinyl. I just never got around to it.
The factory panels that I bought were constructed with that cheap fiberboard stuff. I believe the plywood would last longer, especially if clear-coated or protected. My brother has a hookup on 4'x8' sheets of ABS plastic. I've thought of using that stuff for panels. It'd be indestructible for the most part, and cheap to replace. It's available pretty thick, like 1/4" and 1/2", and even thicker. To make a good thing even better, it's textured on one side, similar to the texture on the factory instrument/dash panel. So it'd basically match part of the factory interior. Use it raw or cover it with foam and vinyl.
If you're interested, I can probably send you a small sample to see if it's a material you'd be interested in working with.
