Fitting Pro-plates to Fiat Ducato 2015 model (1 Viewer)

[Riverbankannie]

Promised description from husband. It will probably take a few posts to add the photos.


Fitting Pro-Plates to Fiat Ducati doors

I have just finished fitting Pro-Plates with studs to the manual locking doors (driver’s door and rear “barn” door) of a FIAT Ducato.

Although it wasn’t a difficult job technically, it was fiddly and frustrating especially the driver’s door because I was not familiar with the fitting of the door trim panels and how the door furniture was assembled. In both cases the plates fit under the door handle & lock mechanism which therefore has to be removed from the door.

You will need a set of trim removal tools, 10mm spanner I used a ring spanner and a socket on a ratchet extension, screwdriver(s) with pozidrive and Starr ends, and a 10mm clearance drill.

I’ll post separately for the two doors with photos.


FIAT Ducato Rear door

Remove the upholstered interior panel

(photo), how this is secured will depend on your van converter. In my van they were attached by self tapping screws

(photo), other manufacturers may vary. The FIAT door trim panel

(photo) was still underneath attached to the metal door by the original plastic clips. These are removed by levering out using a trim removal tool

(photo). These clips can be reused

(photo), but new replacements are available for purchase. I was able to reuse all of the clips I removed.

 

[Riverbankannie]

With the trim removed the mechanism is accessible through apertures in the inner door skin.

The handle mechanism is secured by 4 x 10 mm nuts on studs, one at each corner. Release a cranked rod attached to a lever near the lock barrel

(photo). The end of the rod fits into a Bush on the lever and is held in place by a clip which if pinched a bit will swing clear of the rod, releasing it. You then have access to all of the 10mm nuts. The handle unit can now be taken off the door.

In order to mount the Pro-Plate on the door, you have to drill two extra holes in the door to receive the studs on the lower edge of the apron of the plate just below the lock barrel. I made up a template

(photo) out of stiff cardboard to make sure I drilled in the correct place. These Pro-Plate studs are also 10mm. I decided that although the positions of these holes should be reasonably accurate the size of the hole is not so critical. Spend time at this point ensuring that the Pro-Plate fits closely to the outer surface of the door. I had to fiddle the newly drilled holes to achieve the fit I wanted.

Finally put it all together and refit to the door in reverse order. The Pro-Plate included a tube of white sealer, which I spread sparingly between the plate and the door, and the handle and plate. Refit the assembly and secure with the now 6 x 10mm nuts.

The Pro-Plate kit I bought included an additional “box” which fits on the lower studs of the handle and sits close to the lock barrel.

It acts as extra protection for the cranked rod and lock lever.

Finally, check the door locks and remote locking still work before replacing the trim panels.

 

[Riverbankannie]

FIAT Ducato Drivers door

Dismantling this was a lot more frustrating as it is more complicated than the back door and the attachment points are not all obvious.

First the REMIS blinds, actually a lot easier when you know. Put a finger behind the REMIS logo in the top right corner (RHD vehicle) and push out the insert. Behind it there is a small screw, remove it and the blind assembly can now be lifted off. In the corner blow the screw the there is a U-shaped piece on the blind which slots into a correspondingly shaped cup on the door (see photos)

. The rest of the blind is held in place by several clips but they have enough movement to lift the U-shaped piece out of the cup. Then just pull on the clips and they pop out. Put the blind in a safe place.

Now remove the lower door pocket (photo)

which is secured by five Starr head screws, all are clearly visible.

Next remove the arm rest, this is where you have to start being a little brutal. Using the trim removal tools prise off a cover in the top right hand corner, at least partially, until you can get a screwdriver on a hidden Starr head screw. Prise off a plastic cover behind the door pull lever to expose two more screws, and then prise out the window winder switch panel

and unclip the wiring harness plugs on the back of the panel. Then prise off the cover from the door radio speaker and remove the three pozidrive screws (photo)

holding the speaker in situ and disconnect the wiring plug. It should now be possible to rattle the arm rest moulding free of its mountings and rotate it upwards out the way of the door trim panel (photo)

. A wiring harness spur (central locking connection) remains in the top right corner which prevents complete removal.

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[Riverbankannie]

Now using a suitable removal tool lever the trim panel off the door. This panel comprises a hardboard sheet with a number of slots spaced apart around the edge. The clips holding the panel have a banana like head that engages one of the slots. As far as I discovered you have to force the panel to disengage the heads of these clips. Although a small amount of damage is caused to the panel it doesn’t seem to cause a problem refitting the panel. Once the panel is off, prise the clips out of the door and refit them into the slots in the trim panel in readiness for refitting.

Finally, you can gain access to the inside of the door lock assembly.

Essentially this is the same as the rear door but is secured by three studs and nuts.

Using the cardboard template again I located and marked the position of the holes to be drilled for the Pro-Plate studs.

I had to carry out a considerable amount of fettling to get the plate to fit close to the door panel, that was probably just my bad luck. I found a satisfactory fit after three attempts.

On the inside of the handle assembly the two studs either side of the lock barrel are not parallel, they are splayed outwards (see photo)

.The inner box is secured on these two studs

and to help achieve the good fit on the plate I had to slightly bend the “ears” on the box on the red line in the photos.

I also switched to a black sealer, Sikaflex from Screwfix, which gives a much better look on a non-white van.

Check everything works before reassembling the panels etc.

 

[Stealaway]

Crikey. Thanks for that but what a game. Not sure I want to tackle it now.

 

[Riverbankannie]

@skylinersi Hope this helps! Good luck

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[TCG]

Crikey. Thanks for that but what a game. Not sure I want to tackle it now.

nor me, think i will go for the set that does not have a requirement for drilling extra holes

 

[Basildog]

Still struggling with what you are trying to acheive ?
This is our door after a sustained crow bar attack !

 

[Stroppy Bird]

Still struggling with what you are trying to acheive ?

The fiat ducato door lock can be relatively easily and quietly 'popped' open using a slim screwdriver type device inserted under the plastic handle housing - the proplate prevents this.

Here's a thread showing one that's been attacked and opened.
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...issing-from-your-ducato-look-for-this.172178/

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[Basildog]

The fiat ducato door lock can be relatively easily and quietly 'popped' open using a slim screwdriver type device inserted under the plastic handle housing - the proplate prevents this.

Here's a thread showing one that's been attacked and opened.
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...issing-from-your-ducato-look-for-this.172178/

I would rather they didn't do the 8.5 k of damage
In fact we seldom lock our van now we just set the alarm as if someone is trying the door they are coming in .

 

[mikebeaches]

Well done Riverbankannie and husband for tackling, illustrating and describing so thoroughly how to fit Pro-plates to the Ducato. Glad you were able to complete what looks a slightly challenging procedure (to those of us not so technically competent)

Thanks also for sharing with the Funster community.

Must say, it makes me believe there is a handy business opportunity for some enterprising individual to supply and fit the enhanced security feature on Ducatos.

It also makes me think, why the hell didn't Fiat design their vans to be more secure in the first place!

 

[skylinersi]

View attachment 227521 View attachment 227522 Still struggling with what you are trying to acheive ?
This is our door after a sustained crow bar attack !

what the hell happened there bud????

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[skylinersi]

@skylinersi Hope this helps! Good luck

it most certainly does, and i have to say a great many thanks to you both for doing the tutorial

and...............

have you done the sliding side door?

sorry just reread and youve done rear and drivers doors - just ignore me lol, many do..........

 

[skylinersi]

now lets hope the rain holds of enough to at least get some done!

 

[Geo]

I would rather they didn't do the 8.5 k of damage
In fact we seldom lock our van now we just set the alarm as if someone is trying the door they are coming in .

With No forced entry your insurers will have a few questions,like was his Rolex really on the dash

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[hilldweller]

It also makes me think, why the hell didn't Fiat design their vans to be more secure in the first place!

This is the firm that cannot even light up it's instrument panel satisfactorily.

And whatever you do, don't mention EGR plumbing.

 

[Wissel]

Great job and a nice guide for anyone else wanting to fit the same

 

[skylinersi]

It also makes me think, why the hell didn't Fiat design their vans to be more secure in the first place!


like ford do?

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[Basildog]

what the hell happened there bud????

Door toast !
We had to get the angle grinder on the door and frame just to shut it enough to drive it for repair !
They got the door open but scarpered pretty quickly when the alarm went off .

 

[Basildog]

With No forced entry your insurers will have a few questions,like was his Rolex really on the dash

Plenty of break ins without any damage, we were broken into in France they didn't do any damage but again the alarm scared them off , all they got was and empty bag and my trousers !

 

[Riverbankannie]

nor me, think i will go for the set that does not have a requirement for drilling extra holes

That’s one of the easiest parts of the job.

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[Riverbankannie]

it most certainly does, and i have to say a great many thanks to you both for doing the tutorial

and...............

have you done the sliding side door?

sorry just reread and youve done rear and drivers doors - just ignore me lol, many do..........

It would be difficult to do the sliding door as obviously cannot do it with the door open. With the door closed the fitted sink and cooker units obstruct half the doorway and so will not be able to remove the internal trim.

 

[Chris]

I am going to have a go at that.

Once I know what pro plates are and what they do.

 

[Riverbankannie]

View attachment 227521 View attachment 227522 Still struggling with what you are trying to acheive ?
This is our door after a sustained crow bar attack !

Yes I completely understand your point of view. We also struggled with the concept that we are just encouraging more damage if someone wants to get in.
However, we had already sustained some damage to the door, you can see it in the photo showing the door taped up ready for hole drilling, and fitting the plates is both a way of covering the damage and maybe making an opportunist thief think twice.

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[Riverbankannie]

I would rather they didn't do the 8.5 k of damage
In fact we seldom lock our van now we just set the alarm as if someone is trying the door they are coming in .

We have a friend who uses a van for his kitchen fitting business. He never leaves tools in it and just leaves it unlocked to save any damage.

 

[Riverbankannie]

I am going to have a go at that.

Once I know what pro plates are and what they do.

We had an opportunist thief break in whilst we were asleep in van at Sitges. They pushed a thin metal rod or screwdriver up under the driver’s door handle and popped the lock. The proplate prevents this.

 

[gus-lopez]

Promised description from husband. It will probably take a few posts to add the photos.


Fitting Pro-Plates to Fiat Ducati doors

I have just finished fitting Pro-Plates with studs to the manual locking doors (driver’s door and rear “barn” door) of a FIAT Ducato.
View attachment 227490
Although it wasn’t a difficult job technically, it was fiddly and frustrating especially the driver’s door because I was not familiar with the fitting of the door trim panels and how the door furniture was assembled. In both cases the plates fit under the door handle & lock mechanism which therefore has to be removed from the door.
View attachment 227482

You will need a set of trim removal tools, 10mm spanner I used a ring spanner and a socket on a ratchet extension, screwdriver(s) with pozidrive and Starr ends, and a 10mm clearance drill.
View attachment 227481

I’ll post separately for the two doors with photos.


FIAT Ducato Rear door

Remove the upholstered interior panel
View attachment 227483
(photo), how this is secured will depend on your van converter. In my van they were attached by self tapping screws
View attachment 227484
(photo), other manufacturers may vary. The FIAT door trim panel
View attachment 227485
(photo) was still underneath attached to the metal door by the original plastic clips. These are removed by levering out using a trim removal tool
View attachment 227486
(photo). These clips can be reused
View attachment 227487
(photo), but new replacements are available for purchase. I was able to reuse all of the clips I removed.

Excellent tutorial but I am amazed that there is no insulation in the rear doors ?

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[Riverbankannie]

Excellent tutorial but I am amazed that there is no insulation in the rear doors ?

To be honest, I thought that too when I saw the photos!
It never feels cold at the back though and the only time we have had a problem was recently in Spain when we had our back to the very strong cold wind and we just hung up a blanket to stop the draught through the centre of the door which insulation would not have helped.

 

[skylinersi]

It would be difficult to do the sliding door as obviously cannot do it with the door open. With the door closed the fitted sink and cooker units obstruct half the doorway and so will not be able to remove the internal trim.

well i got a plate to do it, so will have a go............

 

[Drexxer]

Excellent tutorial but I am amazed that there is no insulation in the rear doors ?

Exactly what I thought, think I'd add some whilst door all apart, also they never removed original panel so what about the others?

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