So, I really like the nice big plastic storage bin/pockets in the bottoms of the 01/02 (?) and up doors. I really missed having that since it's such a good place to store tall things like bottles, cleaners, even a fire extinguisher will fit there.
I recently bought a 98 and also really like the elasticy leather pockets up higher. They are great for a lot of small things like pens, gum and all that other crap that junks up your console. I thought why not have both?
Recently when I was walking around a Pull-a-Part I found some more-or-less destroyed cargo van door panels but the bottom sections were good.
First, I took a 1/2 inch drill bit and drilled out the plastic rivets holding the bottom bins on. Don't push hard. A sharp big will pop through them with almost no pressure. Then they'll pop right off leaving the divider sections on the door panel still, so with a rotozip type tool or even a jigsaw carefully cut those out. I have my cut lines drawn with a Sharpie here but no pics of after the cut. Anyway, cut the divider sections loose and reattach to the loose bin using screws, rivets or epoxy.
this is degreaser soaking on the bottom, not funk, but they were fairly funky. The good thing is they were fairly free.
The next step is optional. I've always hated how these bins gather crumbs, old french fries or anything else that gets dropped. The PO had already drilled a small drainage hole in the bottom of each section so I just expanded those and perforated the whole length of the bin. It's ugly but you'll never see it since the bins are always full of something.
I then riveted the fronts but I think epoxy holding the dividers in place would be a cleaner look. Maybe next time. This was a cheap experiment.
I used about 5 screws around the bottom of each panel to secure the bin in place and drilled pilot holes through the panel and sheet metal of the door so they are very well fixed in place now. I just have to pull those 5 screws plus the usual door panel screws to do remove a panel.
So, here's the before of a 98 door panel, I think which ran from 97-00 or 01.
And the completed ones with the bin from an 02 up. Since most Fords are gray or tan it's not too hard to wrangle up some panels from different years and match them. I think the bins were on any XLT door all the way up to the most recent vans without change.
Happy hoarding!
Silver Streak
watchtower, white whale, land yacht, big pig...
MCSporty
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