I've got the doors apart right now doing the crash beam removal (not worth it, pain in the ***!) and was doing some reading and someone said the stock door panels weigh 15 lbs each? I've gotta get my scale out because that seems really heavy to me. Anyway, I was thinking of doing the Wolfe door panels for more weight savings if indeed the stock panels are that heavy. I kinda broke my drivers side armrest off (thought it was supposed to come off, guess not). I could fix it, but I can also fab new panels out of sheet metal very easily. I'd upholster them in dark tweed, mount the switch panel to them, and probably screw the stock armrests on them.

Any input? Are they really that heavy? Anyone have pics of something similar to what I'm talking about?

I did a search and only found a couple things.

 

I know some fast cars out there use them and whats cool is glue some Ozite to them and it qualifies for door panels for any race.

 

They definatly look super nice. Id love to know direct weight comparision. For me to buy i would have to have run out of other mods, or have a broken stocker like you, and want to replace.


Chris

 

i just put a set of 4th gen panels in my car. i had them on and off hundreds of times, literally.
they cant weigh 15 pounds. maybe 5 each at most.

 

weight reduction list in the sticky says 18 lbs for door panels so about 9 lbs each...

 

maybe they are that heavy.

 

im getting wolfe aluminum door panels ....much lighter

 

I don't know, I've about run out of mods for now. I could easily make more power but I'd rather just lighten the car and go faster without beating stuff harder. Plus its cheaper to lighten the car than make more power! I like making **** too, so thats a plus. I might make a set and just see how they look. The only thing I gotta figure out is pull handles. I thought about taking the armrest off the stock panels and installing it over the aluminum panel for a cleaner look, sort of. Or I could just cut a hole in the panel where theres no material under it for a "grab hole" instead of a handle. I'm keeping the speakers so I'll just cut holes and upholster over them so the speakers are invisible but audible. I can't think of a way to make the lock slide lever thing work though.

Someone needs to make lightweight racing speakers...

 

I dunno man, I see what they are gonna look like in my head, and I dont think its gonna turn out like what you want. BUT, we could try it. I do think putting that ozite carpet stuff will make it look If its done at all, go straight aluminum look.

I say go stock panel, and we start tearing out wiring

 

I use the wolfe panels. They weigh like nothing, definately worth it IMO.
You don't have to put door handles back on BTW, you can just pull the door from the top of the panel.

 

Well I fixed my stock panel so its on for now. I might still make a set this winter, I own a sheet metal shop and have plenty of down time at work. Maybe I could produce and sell them? Wolfe is getting $200 for them, I could do better price wise I think. The template would take me a few hours to get right but after that actually making one would take minutes.

 

I fabbed up my own panels that I think are better than the wolfe ones... and mine were free with some ingenuity. I have some pics on my photobucket of them after they were upholstered....

and when i did have my door panels off they were heavy.. along the lines of about 9-10 lbs each....

 

a couple of questions....

anyone have an idea or pic of what u did for a handle?
anyone cut speaker holes for the front corner factory location?

since im going manual windows, would i just drill a hole for the window crank?

 

You don't need a handle, you just grab the top of the panel to close the door

If you are going to keep the speakers you're defeating the purpose of the panels

Yes, you would just drill a hole for the crank

 

Make some up and PM me when you're ready to sell them.

 

well, i figure id keep the door speakers at least for some tunes...unless there is a way to relocate smaller speakers elsewhere. plus the stock door panels are still a bit heavier

thx for the help though

 

i dont have an option for speakers in the front being i have 4th gen interior in a 3rd gen. my power window motor is RIGHT in the way.
i have a set of nice 6x9's in the sail panel on the stock 4th gen cd player. sounds good. hardly any bass, but music and voice is very clear. sounds decent.

 

im not big on quality on a sound system on this build. as long as i have music for the track days, im OK

 

I just ordered some Wolfe panels. Undecided if I want to cover them in suede or carbon fiber di-noc.