64 Belvedere body side moldings

[dvw]

My 64 is in the body work stage. I'm test fitting the body side moldings. The after market plastic clips will slide into the moldings but you can not clip the moldings over them. I filed one down to make it fit. There has to be a better way. Also the fenders have 4 metal clips and the rest are plastic. I'm assuming the metal clips go towards the door end of the front fender since the pins are smaller than the plastic clip pins. This would allow to adjust the molding up or down to line the molding up with the door. Has anybody faced this problem with their build?
Thanks Doug

 

[HitIt]

Hi-
The metal clips go at the ends of each section of trim, so each section should have two. If you have a long section along the quarters you might want to put one in the center.

Do the other clips look like the picture below? I am not sure which exact clip you are using, but mine has this style clip with a plastic peg that locks the fastener to the panel and then the trim snaps over. Maybe snap a pic of yours for more help. If yours is like this, then the trim only snaps on the outer peice the the thin tabs act as a spacer between the trim and body.

Also, I think you want to put all the plastic tabs on the body, then snap the trim over all of them once on the car. You'll want to do all that after the paint is done since the clips don't let go very easily.

 

[dvw]

body clips

Yes these are the clips I have. I also have some of the original clips. When I install the clips on the body for a test fit, the molding will not snap on. It will snap on the old clips. The small wedge shaped tabs on the after market clips are to large. If I file them smaller then I can snap them on. The reason I started the test fit to start with was that the holes in both fenders appear to be aprox 1/4" higher than the door holes. If I use the plastic clips pictured the moldings don't line up. I'm spending way to much time to make sure the body is straight to chance bending it installing the moldings. If I have to I'll drill new holes now. But some how I 've got to believe they should fit the way they are.
Doug

 

[HitIt]

You're certain you have the correct clips? Some of mine took some effort and a careful whack to pop over the clip.

 

[dvw]

The clips appear to be the same as yours. I'm hesitant to have to hit the molding hard. I don't want to dent the body. I'm sending both sets of clips with a friend this weekend to the Chrysler Classic swap meet in Columbus Ohio. I'm hoping someone there may have some info.
Doug

 

[HitIt]

Yeah, I hear you on not wanting to mess anything up. After you figure it out let us know, and let's see some pics of your project! Good luck.

 

[dvw]

My son does prototype work with the auto industry. He E-Mailed me today. He knows someone at Nissan. Of all places around who would believe a Japanese car company may be able to fab some as a "Goverment Project". I'll keep you posted.
Doug