LUVTruck.com

Are there any differences in the door panels in the years before the major body style change? I think i might have a set from a Mikado, but i am unsure as to wether it would be from a Mikado or just from a specific year. Also any pics would be great.

~Aaron

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I don't think there is a difference in the physical size and holes in the years, just in the pattern in the material. The Mikado panels should have cloth inserts and the standard model should be just plain vinyl.

Besides the cloth (seat material) insert around the handle, the Mikado panels also have an added chunk at the bottom that covers the lower few inches of the door. It is usually the same carpet as is on the floor. (Carpet is also a Mikado feature) This bottom piece is held on with four screws that a non-mikado truck will not have holes for, but a drill solves that problem pretty quick. Other than that, I believe 72-80 door panels are interchangable.

Non-mikado panels are all vinyl and pretty simple looking. If it doesn't have an insert (usually bordered by a plastic chrome strip) then it is a base model panel. FYI, the base model is called a "deluxe". Sort of like places selling med large and extra large sodas, but no small I guess.

ok well then i am confused... I have a pair of door panels that are all vinyl. They are dark blue, with a lighter blue insert around the door handle with no chrome strip... Any ideas???



~Aaron

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I do have one set of mikado panels that have a non-cloth insert, it is sort of textured vinyl and matched the seat that was in the truck they came in. I guess to be precise the insert does not have to be cloth. There are some variations between years and I have not personally seen every possibility yet.

Come to think of it, the one 79 I have that is a deluxe model has two tone brown door panels. Earlier years were a single color and very plain. Sounds like that must be what you have there. Base model panels from a later year truck. Main thing on Mikado panels is that they extend all the way to the bottom of the door. I suppose it is possible to find a set of Mikado panels that someone has removed the lower portion (it is just tacked on) but in general that bottom section is a dead giveaway for Mikado panels.

If you look in the information section of the main luvtruck.com site you will find dealer brochures. You can see a 79 standard model panel on page 3 of the 79 brochure and it looks a lot like what you describe.

Yeah the ones one page 3 are exactly what i have... Thanks for all the info... I might just have them redone in different colors to match the new interior... kinda almost hate to do that tho, they are in near perfect condition.

Again thanks for the info,
~Aaron

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http://www.luvrestoration.com has the hardboard cutout for door panels available. You could get a set of those and have them done however you like.

I like those door panels!!! might grab me a pair so I cut some speaker holes into them!! also I like the Tach that they have there, and the guage pods too!!! one question though does any one know it they fit good?

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'80 Luv 4x4, 3" BL, 1.5" SL, 32/36, 2.25" exhaust...and fuzzy dice.
'95 Toyota 4Runner Limited 5-Speed.

shoot him an email and ask. His handle here on the site is 671SuperchargedLUV

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Resident lurker

me..i'd make up new ones so i didn't jack up the sweet originals

Yeah i'll prolly just do that.. Hold on to the originals...

no offense but the tach and gauge pods are a little more expensive than should be.. Jcwhitney sells that tach for $26 and for about $28 you can get a triple gauge pod at pep boys or autozone... They are still universal fit like the ones he sells--you just shape them a little bit with a hair dryer or heat gun and then cut to fit.


~Aaron

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I wasn't going to buy them, just check to see what in general they were, and then find at my local parts store.

so the guage pods are indeed universal fit ones? I was wonderinabout that.
I already have my Tach picked out, SunPro Super II

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'80 Luv 4x4, 3" BL, 1.5" SL, 32/36, 2.25" exhaust...and fuzzy dice.
'95 Toyota 4Runner Limited 5-Speed.