Yet another door panel question

[tsedor]

I have a low mileage 94 240 SX SE. The previous owner kept it in a garage for years. While it is in great condition, there are few minor issues, the door panels and the driver's seat.

The door panels and the rear panels seems to be detaching from the door. I checked the FAQ (on this site) but I couldn't find detailed info/photos of how to fix this problem. A local shop suggested they could fix each panel (at $100 per panel ) by adding rivets and reapolstering the panels. I'm looking for a cheaper fix.

The fabric on the drivers seat is a bit loose. I would love to reapolster the both front and back seats and the panels but don't have the money to do so at the moment so... I am looking for a more affordable fix. The same shop said they can fix both seats at $250 each and $350 for new carpet (both of which are not possible at the moment... and when I have the $$$, I would prefer to go w/ leather).

If you have read this far I appreciate you taking the time. I don't expect anyone to give me detailed info (though any info would be greatly appreciated). If you could just post a link or point me in the right direction that would be a great help. I spoke w/ another 240SX SE owner in my area and he said that the door panel seperation and loose seat fabric is a common issue.

[nissanconvert]

Here is what i did for the panelsTools:Drill1/16" bitscrewdriverscrews

Go down to your local hardware and pick up 20 or so wood screws that are about 1/4" or less in thread length.

Remove the door panel via methods described on this forum somewhere..(there are two hidden screws with black caps, a screw in the bottom of the pocket handle beneath the tab, remove the lock surround by popping it out, unscrew behind the seat belt on the pillar. tug on the bottom of the panel to pop the plastic retainers working your way to the top and lift up and off taknig care not to break where the seatbelt goes in.

along the panel edge drill a pilot hole through the door panel and not the insert. Then using a regular screwdriver or drill screw the screws in and shim with washers if they are too long. I did about every 4" or so and it looks fantastic and nothing is visible.

While you have the panels off you may want to put vinyl or leather on the inserts via removing the cloth with "goof off" and applying new with "3m super 77 adhesive" (17$ a can at staples but it really works. I refelted a pool tabel with the stuff and managed to glue all my arm hair down in the process.

Also consider putting in 6-1/2" speakers using the brackets from ebay cause the door panels really are a pain in the *** to install and remove.

I have seat covers for now but from what i've read buying a leather kit is not so hard and only about 700$. you may want to look into getting more comfy s14 , or skyline seats if you can find them.

I think you can buy carpet online(search the forum for exact links) for about 200$ to do it yourself, may take a good summer weekend but worth it.Good luck!

[gp_says]

Hi Tim....welcome to nico.I bet you could find most needed info here.have fun and enjoy nico.com

I thought you said yours is 93 just like mine?

[ishkabibble]

Most of the stuff you listed is pretty easy and cheap to do yourself, it's just time consuming.

Door panel inserts (a pain to do but not difficult):-1-2 yards of vinyl from a fabric store: ~$30-3M vinyl top adhesive: $15 at Advance Auto (a lot more sticky than Super 77 or Super 90)-Screws or staples for a friends staple gun: $2 (some people say an electric staple gun doesn't work on the door panels, but my cheap Arrow TM50 works fine)

Be sure to do your glove box cover and replace the rotted stock speakers at the same time as the door panels.The 6.5" front speaker templates can be found here: zerothread/183809Glove box recovering: zerothread/212816

New molded carpet (again, a pain to do, but not difficult):-$90 + shipping at Rockauto.comInstall pics at http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/august06/240/

1995-1998 240SX seats (you only have to remove/reinstall 5 nuts and one electrical connector for each seat):-$200 on a forum or at a junkyard

So, if you do it yourself, you're looking at less than $400 for new carpet, good seats, and redone door panel inserts and glove box. If you want to replace the speakers, I recommend Lightning Audio 6.5" 3-way speakers at Wal-Mart. They are rebranded Rockford Fosgates that cost $40/pair and sound almost as good as speakers that cost $120/pair.

[tsedor]

Nope, its a 94. I have a staple gun which I plan to take to the doors. Haven't decided what to do w/ the seats just yet. To be honest, I would prefer to put the same seats that I have in my S40 Volvo in my Nissan. Thanks for all who responded.

The folks over at C&H Auto in Spokane recommended contacting Royal Appolstery if I wanted to do any interior mods.

[ishkabibble]

Not sure what you mean by "nope its a 94".

Figuring out what to do for seats in a 240 is a real pain due to the weird shape of the floor. Your best bet is to get seats out of another 240 (any year) or a Skyline. It's only 5 bolts and one connector holding the seats and the seat belt receptacle in. Very easy to swap out yourself.

I finally ended my own seat quest last week when I found seats out of an '89 240 in good shape. I had previously purchased some nice Honda Del Sol seats that I was going to fabricate rails for, but decided I didn't want to spend the time dealing with fitment. Too bad, as the Del Sol seats are comfy, very low, and very light.

[tsedor]

Check quote from GP above...

[gp_says]

Nope, its a 94. I have a staple gun which I plan to take to the doors. Haven't decided what to do w/ the seats just yet. To be honest, I would prefer to put the same seats that I have in my S40 Volvo in my Nissan. Thanks for all who responded.

The folks over at C&H Auto in Spokane recommended contacting Royal Appolstery if I wanted to do any interior mods.

DON'T go to royal...had a quote from them for reskin my front and back seat with leather:$2000.00yeap..TWO THOUSAND ...US DOLLARS!

[donmeca2020]

thanks for that carpet link, i might as well throw a new one in for the hell of it while im starting to take apart the interior