Just finished a RCU redo. It turned out well. Bought all new parts. Fit well. 

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Sorry two subjects in one post - 

The radio I repaired myself, I was an Electronic Tech for a living before retiring. Ya know, TV's, Radios, then Digital Movie Theater Cinema Tech.... I fix stuff for people, one of my many hobbies now....

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

The rear compartment doors look really good.

Are the lower sides of the doors flat?  They look smarter that way than the original items.   

It's a job I've been tempted to tackle as min e are very fragile and have a few cracks in the frame work.  But it is such a pain getting there!😄  I just have to be super careful when loading in the suitcase, tools etc for our excursions!😱

I'll be interested to see the finished result, all installed.👍

We tend to use soft side bags in our compartment area. They tend to conform better, allow compression and eliminate the "Bump factor" when loading to not break the frame. 

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We have a "softish" case, but it tends to be heavy for a week or so away.  We tried soft bags, but it's hard to lay the T-tops on top - the case is stable enough for the tops to be strapped on top, with a short extension that I made for the hold down strap!    I just have to be careful sliding it in to ensure that the weight is not all placed on one compartment lid as it slides over.     

My seats were out of the car so working back there is a bit easier, but then it's still some difficulty for an old guy.

The 3 plastic door frames and the main frame were all cracked like everyone has experienced. The new replacements seem to be even a bit thinner and the screw hole locations and screw size was different than the original GM.  The new fiber boards were the solution for reworking all this. The finished assembly is quite fragile and I'll need to be really careful re-installing it - after the underlayment insulation and new carpet. The door over the battery has a foam seal to keep fumes out of the passenger compartment -yet to be installed - after it is back in the car - the screws go under the seal. Then all 3 doors will sit perfectly flush. 

If you did not do it twice, you did not do it right. I had trouble getting the new carpet to stay put on the new fiberboards. I had to pull it back off and spray adhesive twice both sides and let dry a few minutes to make it stick. Then sit a 40lb bag on top for a few hours. The first time I came back the next day and the carpet puckered up and look horrible. 

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

While I had all that out on my 72 the approx. 4' angle iron under the body that the hinges are attached to, I had to replace and re-rivet it was about 75% gone.

Also did not renew the fiberboard doors filled in the old screw holes with glue and where the board had expanded glued and clamped to return to new condition. 

Also don't forget the 1/4-20 x 1" bolt that holds the rear of the center parking brake console, the last person that was in there never put it back.

Have fun

Hello, As long as your real close, also check the battery hold down tab. A piece on the bottom of the body also gets rather ratty and corroded. 

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Thanks, did that one, another thing that was missing on mine, ending up replacing all the battery hold down parts.

Thanks for the information guys.

The metal strip reinforcement for the hinges is pretty bad shape - I have a replacement on hand for that and is the very next step in the process. I'll cut out the rivets and install new strip. BTW, I know from others that the carpet needs to be installed first, and then drill new holes for the frame so when it goes back in it all fits correctly. I am told GM did it this way from the factory, the replacement strip only has holes for the 4 rivets, and no holes for the hinge screws. The rear end is up on jack stands and wheels are off, so I can get to these pieces easily. 

Also, while I was back there I did replace all the battery hold down and also the jack hold down pieces - same condition of rusted ugly. Then cleaned up and painted the compartments. 

I don't think there are any more parts to take off now back there , so moving in the right direction finally..... 

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

Yes ur right the carpet has to be in place,

I bought the strip from Keen I believe, and it had the pilot hole drilled just has to open them up for the 3/16 rivets.