The driver's door on my 53 has to be shut really hard stay closed. I'm sure there is a way to adjust this but I don't know how. My passenger door shuts nicely. Any help is appreciated.

 

i have to slam the passenger side door on my 53 and it still opens.
I found a newer door latch part that goes in the door jam. the star shaped part of the door latch mechanism on the door tends to wear into that latch making the door not shut tight, check that part for wear. or maybe it just needs to be adjusted? good luck.


oh and if you happen to have a service manual for that truck it should detail those fixes. I have yet to get the service manual for mine

 

I have a service manual but it didn't cover what I was looking for. The shuts fine...it just doesn't stay latched unless you really slam it. Any suggestions?

 

The latch is inside the door. The striker is attached to the door post on the body. You might try to adjust the striker out just a hair and see if that helps the latch catch better. It's likely the latch is just worn out and needs replaced.

 

I went with bear claw kit from Mid Fifties. Works Get.

 

Like 52 Merc suggests the striker adjustment would be the first place to check. Also look at the door stop bumpers. I replaced mine and they fit fine on the driver's side but on the passengers for some reason they would not fit properly and left a bow in the bumper which increased the closing effort only on that side.

Check the hinges for wear also. They are a great design but if the door sags when you open it look for movement at the hinge pins when you lift the door.

The next most likely is the door adjustment at the hinges. My hinges were tack welded in place perhaps at the St. Paul plant where it was built. If yours are not welded you may have a hinge plate that shifted or perhaps your body geometry changed? Suggest that you check your cab mounts.