56 Door fitment
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 5
56 Door fitment
I am having trouble getting a door to fit my 56 truck. I have tried 3 different doors with no success. It looks as if I had more adjustability where the hinges fasten to the door it would work. Since the thread plates (the part that the bolts thread into) are captured in a frame that keeps them from falling out I don't seem to have enough adjustment. Has anybody ever removed these frames so the thread plates could be moved around more to give the door more movement. With no hinges on the truck at all the door fits the opening with a pretty good gap all the way around. What is a good plan.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 774
Likes: 11
From: Simsbury, Connecticut
I had the door fitment problem on my '56 F500 but that was after welding in both inner and outer patch panels as well as the entire floor board and rocker.
Here's what worked for me:
You can widen the bolt holes on the hinges both where the hinge mounts to the door and where the hinge mounts to the cab. That will give you a little extra wiggle room. Use a slightly larger drill bit than what the holes are and go very slow so you don't burn out your bit but more importantly so you don't wander away from center.
Depending on your fitment problem, you can do both. But I'd start with where it mounts to the cab first and see if that helps.
Edit: USE WASHERS!
Here's what worked for me:
You can widen the bolt holes on the hinges both where the hinge mounts to the door and where the hinge mounts to the cab. That will give you a little extra wiggle room. Use a slightly larger drill bit than what the holes are and go very slow so you don't burn out your bit but more importantly so you don't wander away from center.
Depending on your fitment problem, you can do both. But I'd start with where it mounts to the cab first and see if that helps.
Edit: USE WASHERS!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 806
Likes: 95
From: Madera Ranchos
The first thing I would do would be to verify the cab is sitting correctly on the frame. All cab mounts in good condition, the rear are notorious for being out of whack. Than go to the doors using washers or spacers between the hinge and pillars. I usually tape 7/16 washers to the hinge, cut the hole out and install. If the doors came on this truck and nothing has changed the doors will go back on , if changes have occurred more work is required.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 5
I have replaced the rear cab arms and the front mounts at the cowl post (under the floor). my door seems to be high at the top rear and too close at the front bottom. I haven't tried to shim anything yet. If I shim the top hinge out to hopefully roll the door clockwise to lower the top rear I am afraid it will just make the lower front that much tighter, just saying.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Note bolts in post end of hinges are used to adjust up- down and in - out. Bolts in door end of hinges adjusts rotation and centering in the opening. Remove latch striker, covers over hinges on door. hang door in opening with bolts in both portion of hinges just snug. equip helper inside truck with socket wrench that fits bolts. Trace around hinges on door post and on door so you can keep track of adjustments. Adjust post end of hinges until top gap is about 1/4" at top, door is flush with outside of truck when closed (allow for weather strip if deteriorated or missing) Don't be concerned with front or rear gap yet. Tighten hinge bolts at post end. loosen all but one bolt on door end of hinges. loosen last bolt on one hinge only and rotate door as needed. Tighten hinge in door. Adjust other hinge as necessary to square door in opening. Readjust hinges as required until door hangs evenly in opening. When satisfied tighten all hinge bolts. Finally replace and adjust latch striker until door latches fully. Unless there is something drastically wrong: floor and/or rocker panels replaced without bracing/squaring opening, accident damage, there should be plenty of adjustment available without shimming.
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