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Trying to hang the passenger door on my 53. It is to
o close at the front to corner, it is actually hitting metal to metal. We have tried adjusting the hinges several times. It also has little to much gap at lower front corner between the door edge and body. On top of that the nuts in the door are stripped except two on the top.
Rethreaded the holes and got all the bolts tight. But now it gaps out more on the lower rear corner then it did last night. I think the door twisted in at the top front corner and out at the opposite lower corner. Or is it still in the hinge adjustment.
I had the doors fitting a lot closer before it went to the body shop to be painted.
On top of that the nuts in the door are stripped except two on the top.
This seems to be the first thing you need to address. If you can't tighten the bolts, you'll never get the door adjusted, or keep its adjustment. Fix the thread issue then we'll come back to the rest.
He said he rethreaded the bolts.
Looks like you need a shim plate on the door part of the top hinge. That will move the front top out and the bottom in a bit.
He said he rethreaded the bolts.
Looks like you need a shim plate on the door part of the top hinge. That will move the front top out and the bottom in a bit.
tried putting in shims Could only get one in on the single bolt farthest from the door pillar. How to you get the others in?
On my 55 when I was doing the fitting before paint I did several things, 53-55 are the same so maybe it will help
1) I used 5/16" Grade 8 washers behind each hole of the hinge (between the hinge & the door post) which moved everything out (away from the door post) about 1/16"
2) I enlarged the holes on all the hinges slightly (both the sides)
3) I switched to Altman latches
Installing the washers behind the hinge was a PITA to do, but between that and enlarging the holes in the hinges slightly I bought myself more adjustment which paid immensely to provide really good gaps.
I put the Altman latches on first, then slid the door on to the hinge bars, then carefully closed the doors so they latched and then used two punches on each the top & the botton hinge holes in the door to get the bolts started and from there I snugged up the bolts and I could work the hinge side and adjust the gap accordingly. It was a teadious process but worked out well working by myself.
It worked out so well, I almost left the doors on when I painted the cab, but in the end I decided to take them off to get everything properly painted, so I get to do it all over again, but I should be able to rinse & repeat the process However being painted and then doing it will always be nerve wracking.
On my 55 when I was doing the fitting before paint I did several things, 53-55 are the same so maybe it will help
1) I used 5/16" Grade 8 washers behind each hole of the hinge (between the hinge & the door post) which moved everything out (away from the door post) about 1/16"
2) I enlarged the holes on all the hinges slightly (both the sides)
3) I switched to Altman latches
Installing the washers behind the hinge was a PITA to do, but between that and enlarging the holes in the hinges slightly I bought myself more adjustment which paid immensely to provide really good gaps.
I put the Altman latches on first, then slid the door on to the hinge bars, then carefully closed the doors so they latched and then used two punches on each the top & the botton hinge holes in the door to get the bolts started and from there I snugged up the bolts and I could work the hinge side and adjust the gap accordingly. It was a teadious process but worked out well working by myself.
It worked out so well, I almost left the doors on when I painted the cab, but in the end I decided to take them off to get everything properly painted, so I get to do it all over again, but I should be able to rinse & repeat the process However being painted and then doing it will always be nerve wracking.
Jim
if I put washers behind the hinges and door post, won't that open the gap at the door post? I have that gap set. My problem is it is in too tight at the top right corner which I believe is pushing it out at lower left corner. I could only get one shim in between the top hinge an the door. Not sure if that will resolve my issue enough. Yes it is difficult being painted. Already have small chips. Thought I had the doors adjusted when I sent it to be painted. Even had them drill pilot holes to be able to line them back up. But it is like starting all over. Don't know what changed. Very frustrating.
tried putting in shims Could only get one in on the single bolt farthest from the door pillar. How to you get the others in?
I think Marten is right. If you front edge is aligned and gapped and vertically straight ,then his suggestion is your next step. Are you using those body shop style horseshoe type shims? They indeed help.
How are your door hinges? If the door side leaf has any play, you will have a hard time getting good alignment so you should remove the hinges and rebuild them by installing new hinge pins. While they are out drill and tap 3, 1/4 to 5/16 holes and thread bolts with a lock nut thru them. Now you just made adjustable shims for your hinge leafs and it could help adjustment a lot. Another thing that might help came from a Tri-Five Chevy forum. Use pieces of 5/16 rubber hose. Slit them and put them over the door edges as spacers. Leave the door loose enough to move it around a little, carefully and slowly shut the door, check the spacing, move it around some more if needed for even spacing. Tighten the hinge leafs inside the door, then test again. On your final tightening make sure you put those spacers back on. It will keep the door from closing the nice gaps you just made while tightening the leaf bolts. Hopefully it will get you real close.
if I put washers behind the hinges and door post, won't that open the gap at the door post? I have that gap set. My problem is it is in too tight at the top right corner which I believe is pushing it out at lower left corner. I could only get one shim in between the top hinge an the door. Not sure if that will resolve my issue enough. Yes it is difficult being painted. Already have small chips. Thought I had the doors adjusted when I sent it to be painted. Even had them drill pilot holes to be able to line them back up. But it is like starting all over. Don't know what changed. Very frustrating.
Sorry, I misinterpreted where your trouble area was. Enlarging the holes in the hinges on the post side would allow you some additional outward movement on top and inward movement on the bottom
Thank you all for the help. Got another shim in top hinge in the door. It helped a lot. After making a little more adjustment and getting the latch set the door shuts great an latches with good gaps. On to the drivers side.
