How on earth do the interior trim panels fit on my '86 Dodge B250 Day Van? The cloth has become tired and tatty and we now want to recover the panels. But they seem to be screwed to the van with the screw heads UNDER the cloth. So how did they do that then? And more important, how do we get them off, recover, and get them back on again?

Any clues (to what I have a horrible feeling will be the blindingly obvious once known) will be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Richard.

That's a good question. I don't know the answer, but it'll be in the factory service manual.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

First place I looked Dan: in my trusty FSM which is now well thumbed and more than a little grubby. But, because it's a conversion (by RAM Coachworks) the interior trim panels are not covered in the FSM. They were put in as part of the conversion.

Ooog. Donno what to suggest...I imagine that conversion firm no longer exists, right?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I'd give odds that it's some kind of clip or plastic push-in rivit. Using a panel tool or a putty kinife, slip it in between the door and panel and gently pry on it while watching the space. You should be able to see what's going on. Failing that, a call to the coach builder might yield the solution.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

As Dan guessed, we're pretty sure the coach builder is no longer.

We took a window trim out yesterday so we could see behind the trim panels and it certainly looks like they're screwed to the van. But if that's the case, how on earth did they get the cloth over the screw heads? It beats me.

I'll certainly take the advice and have another look with the aid of a putty knife and torch though.

Scared me for a second... "torch" = flashlight.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.