Door panel fitment

[gm muscle]

I am having lots of difficulty getting my door panels, driver's side in particular, mounted. I have the original panels and I thought I could use them as reference but they are in rough shape. Every interior piece that is original to the car goes back together perfectly but any aftermarket stuff is a real PIA! On to my exact dilemma...
The lower panels on my '77 T/A are original but the upper panels are repros. I cannot seem to align the metal tabs correctly on to the door. I have spent many hours making adjustments to the upper panel but still no success.  In fact, I don't think the doors will close with the panels on!
I need help...what have others done?

[FormTA]

Any pictures if what you are experiencing?

[gm muscle]

Of me attempting to place the panel on the door? No, I don't. My T/A is 30 minutes away in my parent's garage. Let me snap a few pics of the driver's side door panel, if that helps any.

[Wallington]

What a you adjusting? Are the retainer holes in the backing board large enough that they can swivel around and slide to suit hole positions? You have the correct retainers? I've never had a pre-78 so can't comment much.

[b_hill_86]

Some pictures would help (me at least) understand what’s going on. I’ve had my panels on and off probably half a dozen times recently for window adjustments so I might have something to offer if I know what’s going on.

[gm muscle]

What a you adjusting? Are the retainer holes in the backing board large enough that they can swivel around and slide to suit hole positions? You have the correct retainers? I've never had a pre-78 so can't comment much.

I've had to make adjustments to the slots on the backing board. I can get close to where they need to be but I fear removing too much material. It's not quite lining up with the holes on the door.

[Wallington]

The backboard holes are simply in the wrong locations compared to original?

[gm muscle]

What a you adjusting? Are the retainer holes in the backing board large enough that they can swivel around and slide to suit hole positions? You have the correct retainers? I've never had a pre-78 so can't comment much.

I do have the correct retainers/ fasteners. I am adjusting the holes on the backing board so that retainer lines up with the hole on the door.  The only solution that has occurred to me is to place the lower panel in place, since it lines up perfectly,  and adjust each retainer one at a time.  I just need to get some pictures to you fellas. Unfortunately, that will not occur until the week of the 20th.

[silver78]

I've had good luck removing the metal tabs and using industrial strength Velcro. Cleaned to surfaces real good so adhesive will stick. Use a flat scrapper to remove and pry them apart for removal.