Upgrading door panels from 1988 to the 1998 ones!

[Mrbrown510]

If i wanted to upgrade fthe door panels to the 1998 ones how do i do it? I also want to wire in the electric adjustable sideview mirrors.do i get the entire both doors with the cbles from a donor truck n just splice the cables in ? Or is it more work involved? Ive seen trucks done n they look nice with tje old dash plus it adds electric sidevie mirror controls but i want to ask before doin it

 

[88GMCtruck]

Easiest way would be to get the entire door harness, and re-wire the plug in the door jamb/kick panel area to work with your existing PWDL wiring.

The mirrors will pose a problem, as the harness is behind the dash. You'll likely have to make your own.

 

[Mrbrown510]

Crap dats too much work i guess ill just leave it alone

 

[gstubbz]

Another problem you will run into is the newer door panels would crush against the old style dash.

If you really want the power mirrors, check out the 92-94 Suburban/Blazer trucks. Those had the older style door panels with wiring and switches for power mirrors.

 

[Mrbrown510]

Oh snap i didnt even know about this! Would i just have to get the door panel and switches with wiring from a donor truck or would i have to get the entire door?

 

[gstubbz]

Yup! That's all you need if you already have power windows. If you have hand crank windows you'll need the entire inner door skin with the window motor.

 

[88GMCtruck]

Another problem you will run into is the newer door panels would crush against the old style dash.

If you really want the power mirrors, check out the 92-94 Suburban/Blazer trucks. Those had the older style door panels with wiring and switches for power mirrors.

That isn't true at all, they are actually spaced farther and require a spacer to make the dome light switch turn off.

Oh snap i didnt even know about this! Would i just have to get the door panel and switches with wiring from a donor truck or would i have to get the entire door?

Yup! That's all you need if you already have power windows. If you have hand crank windows you'll need the entire inner door skin with the window motor.

If you are trying to gain power mirrors out of this you'll have to get all the wiring from the doors and add it to your dash as well. Easiest option if going to be making your own harness.

 

[ccreddell]

Ive done this. Easiest way is to get the cartridge out of a newer truck door. The new panels wont mount on your cartridge. There are wiring tutorials all over the forums. The mirror wiring isnt too bad, you just need to get 4-5 wires (cant remember exactly at the moment), wrap them in electrical tape, and run them across to the passenger side mirror. Its really not too bad. The other wiring though, is a pain. It took me 8 hours per door to pull them apart, change out the cartridge, dynamat the inner door skin, put the new cartridge together and figure out the wiring. and yes, you need a spacer to hit the door button. An adhesive 3/4x3/4 rubber bumper/foot works well. I actually have blue ones in there now....

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[Chevy man 88]

Oh snap i didnt even know about this! Would i just have to get the door panel and switches with wiring from a donor truck or would i have to get the entire door?

i used the entire doors from a 98 for an 88 just rewired at switches no problems crushing against 88 dash

 

[Mrbrown510]

i used the entire doors from a 98 for an 88 just rewired at switches no problems crushing against 88 dash

Ah ok thats good to know itll cruss agaisnt 88 dash no problem