Red thumbscrew vs black thumbscrew

[Marlin]

I have had my hands on 4 different rear door covers in the last few years, 2 with black, and two with red thumbscrews. I found that almost all of the red thumbscrews failed during removal, the plastic is more brittle than the black. I currently have red ones in my truck, since I was afraid to try and remove them to swap em.
Just trying to get a feel for the failure rate.

[tom4bren]

AFAIK all 4 of my black ones are original. None have failed.

[samneil2000]

Get the cheap replacement set of metal tabs and metal screws from SBC (or fab up yourself - simple, but his kit is worth it imho).

I don't think I'll ever have a failure now.

[Marlin]

Get the cheap replacement set of metal tabs and metal screws from SBC (or fab up yourself - simple, but his kit is worth it imho).

I don't think I'll ever have a failure now.

Strange enough, I just had someone ask me today for the square receiver portion of the assembly. The first I had heard of that failing.

[VXR]

i do not know if you can after starting a poll but how bout adding:

red none have failed

black none have failed

i have four red that have not failed but only used them a few times

[Marlin]

i do not know if you can after starting a poll but how bout adding:

red none have failed

black none have failed

i have four red that have not failed but only used them a few times

I understand what you are saying, but I only care about the ones that failed, not the ones that didn't fail. I guess the next step would be to get off my *** and look at what the ratio of red to black interior is. That way I can make sure the failure distribution is significant. Just from comparing the parts I have here, the red screws are different than the black, they feel more brittle. Even the marks where the retaining clip sits are more significant on the red than the black.

[gletom]

Strange enough, I just had someone ask me today for the square receiver portion of the assembly. The first I had heard of that failing.

I had the square part fail and then ordered two from Merlin just in case.

[VXorado]

Three of my red thumbscrews failed, I made my own replacements the second week I owned the VX.

I should still have the one good thumbscrew somewhere... if anyone needs one just let me know.

[Skydoo]

Hi, I need a red thumbscrew. How much do you want for it? I also need a bump stop for the rear door and the head liner lamp. Thank you.

[VXorado]

Hi, I need a red thumbscrew. How much do you want for it? I also need a bump stop for the rear door and the head liner lamp. Thank you.

Let me look for it tomorrow and i'll let ya know. You should post the other stuff you need in the wanted section.

Sorry for the thread hijack Marlin, looks like you're on to something- total of 11 red vs. 6 black so far.

[Marlin]

Let me look for it tomorrow and i'll let ya know. You should post the other stuff you need in the wanted section.

Sorry for the thread hijack Marlin, looks like you're on to something- total of 11 red vs. 6 black so far.

By my count, its 15 to 6, but someone may have voted since you posted. This is kind of what I expected comparing them side by side. For those that have red, and use their rear door for storage and whatnot, I would try to get ahold of Merlin and see about switching to black ones, they are only like 5 bucks new, if he still has them. I have extras, but not willing to part with the black ones
I know there are some aluminum alternatives as well.
I am just babying my reds pending failure and the swap back to black (I have the black/gray interior anyway)

[vt_maverick]

FYI... ratio of red interiors to black interiors is only roughly 3:2, so it looks like you may be on to something.

[Scott Harness]

I glued a wooden dowl inside the screws...super strong now

[Marlin]

I glued a wooden dowl inside the screws...super strong now

I have heard of that mod.
I was surprised at the number of red interiors. For those that have it, bless your hearts. It is the most garish, hideous thing I have ever seen....LOL. I can't even stand to sit in the one at the junkyard. WAYYYY to much red. Red belongs in a super sports car, not a SUV.

[VXorado]

I have heard of that mod.
I was surprised at the number of red interiors. For those that have it, bless your hearts. It is the most garish, hideous thing I have ever seen....LOL. I can't even stand to sit in the one at the junkyard. WAYYYY to much red. Red belongs in a super sports car, not a SUV.

I have the red/black interior and....completely agree. Its way too much red for me & the seats seem to show more wear.