If you've invested any time at the rear of the wheel of the New Edge, you've probably noticed that will 99 04 mustang door panels aren't exactly identified for their long term durability. They appeared great back in the showroom in 2002, but after two decades of sun exposure, temperature cycles, and thousands of times being slammed shut, a lot of them are starting to display some serious use. Whether it's the particular dreaded vinyl sag or those frustrating rattles that appear to come from almost everywhere at once, taking care of your door panels is one associated with the best methods to make your Mustang feel like the new car again.
Why These types of Panels Always Seem to Fall Apart
It's no secret that Ford used a great deal of plastics within the late 90s and early 2000s. While the New Edge Mustang is a traditional in its own perfect, the interior materials had been definitely built in order to a price stage. The most common issue you'll work into with 99 04 mustang door panels is the adhesive failure on the middle put. You know the one—that piece of vinyl or fabric right above the armrest that begins to bubble and sag until this eventually just peels right off.
The problem will be the foam support. Over time, the particular foam disintegrates into a sticky, orange dirt, and once that will happens, no qualtity associated with prayer will maintain that vinyl stuck to the plastic. Then you've obtained the plastic clips and mounting tab. They get frail with age. When you've ever tried to pop the panel off to fix a home window motor and heard a loud crack , you know specifically what I'm speaking about.
The Between the Many years
While the particular 1999 through 2004 Mustangs share the same basic entire body style, there had been some subtle adjustments in the inside colors and textures. In the earlier years, like 1999 and 2000, a person saw many Medium Graphite and Parchment interiors. When 2001 rolled around, Ford shifted things a bit, eventually inclined heavily into Black Charcoal for the Mach 1 plus SVT Cobra models.
If you're looking for replacement 99 04 mustang door panels at the junkyard or online, you've have got to end up being careful about the color match. "Black" isn't always dark; usually, it's Black Charcoal, which offers a slight greyish tint under sunlight. Putting a 1999 Medium Graphite -panel into a 2005 interior is heading to look just a little funky, even if the bolt holes line up flawlessly.
Fixing the particular Infamous Insert Sag
If your panels are still in decent shape but the inserts are sagging, you don't necessarily have to buy an entire new set. A lot of men within the Mustang community have had luck peeling the old vinyl back, scraping off that nasty old polyurethane foam, and re-gluing it.
The particular trick is definitely a high-quality headliner adhesive. Don't go for the cheap stuff at the craft store; you need something that are designed for the particular 140-degree temperatures within a car throughout the summer. Some individuals even take this opportunity to improve the look. Rather of the share vinyl, you may wrap those inserts in Alcantara, buckskin, or perhaps a different color to give the interior a custom "two-tone" look that actually pops.
Coping with the Door Pulls and Switches
Another weak point on these types of panels may be the door pull cup—the small plastic "pocket" a person grab to pull the particular door shut. On 99 04 mustang door panels, these are often held in by plastic material tabs that love to snap. Once they break, the entire cup wiggles every time you touch it, making the car feel cheap.
While you're with it, the window switch bezels usually get scratched upward too. The "soft touch" coating Ford producer used back after that didn't age properly. It gets gummy and starts in order to peel. Luckily, these types of are some associated with the easiest components to replace. You could find reproduction bezels that will look factory-fresh plus snap right directly into your existing 99 04 mustang door panels without any drama.
Step-by-Step: Removing the Panels Safely
When you're going to work on your doors, you've gotta learn how to get the panels off without destroying them. It's not hard, but you can't just yank on them.
- Pop the cruise panel: That's the little triangle piece near the mirror. This usually just pulls off having a firm tug.
- Remove the windowpane switch bezel: Use a trim tool (or a flathead screwdriver if you're getting careful) to pry up from the particular front. Disconnect the wiring harnesses.
- Get the hidden screws: There's usually a screw behind the door handle lever and another hidden away behind the particular red reflector lens at the base corner of the door.
- Lift, don't pull: This is the almost all important part. 99 04 mustang door panels aren't kept on entirely simply by those "Christmas tree" push-pins. They in fact hook into the particular door frame. You need to raise the whole section upright toward the sky to unhook it. If you pull it toward you, you're heading to break the plastic hooks on the back.
Audio Deadening: A Worthwhile Detour
Considering that you're already getting the time to mess with your door panels, do your self a favor plus throw some sound-deadening material within the door skin. New Edge Mustangs aren't exactly known for becoming quiet inside. Adding a bit associated with butyl rubber matting (like Dynamat or similar brands) at the rear of the 99 04 mustang door panels can make a massive difference.
It stops the metal through ringing, which can make your speakers good way better and gives the door a much more solid "thud" when you close it. It's one of those "while I'm in here" careers that you'll end up being glad you do every time you're cruising on the highway.
Locating Quality Replacements
If your present panels are totally trashed—maybe the plastic material is cracked or even the mounting factors are gone—you've obtained a couple of options. You may scour eBay or local forums for used 99 04 mustang door panels, but remember that many used ones will have the exact same issues yours perform.
The better (though more expensive) route is searching at aftermarket reproductions. Companies like TMI and Late Model Restoration have performed an excellent job associated with recreating these panels. Some of the newer substitutes are actually built a bit better than the particular originals, using enhanced materials that won't peel as very easily. Plus, you get that "new car smell" back, which usually is a great bonus for the car that's almost old enough to drink.
Maintaining Them Clean
Once you've obtained your panels looking right, you want to keep them that method. Avoid using super oily "shiny" protectants. They tend to attract dust and can really accelerate the breakdown of some plastic materials if they're as well harsh. A simple interior quick detailer along with UV protection will be usually all you need. It maintains the Dark Charcoal looking deep and matte rather than greasy and reflective.
At the end of the day, the 99 04 mustang door panels are a huge component of your driving experience. You observe them every time you get in, and a person touch them every single time you keep. Spending a weekend tightening them upward, fixing the sags, or just replacing the worn-out videos goes a lengthy way for making your own Mustang feel as if the legendary pony car it is. It's a relatively basic DIY project that will yields some of the most noticeable results for your own interior.