Several years ago I changed the doors on my truck. They have never been properly aligned. I will soon give the alignment another try, and was wondering if there is an accepted system or series of steps to align each door.
I also noticed that LMC has a tool just for this purpose. Is that tool worthwhile or a waste of $?

 

These are probably the easiest rigs I've ever set the gaps on. in general, they were made very well.

Remove the striker, adjust the door starting at the rear gap. replace the striker and set the depth. adjust the fender to fit the door. adjust the hood if needed.

 

Thanks 440. That was the bit of info I lacked: 'adjust the fender to the door.' Of course.

 

I've read others say that removing the fenders is sometimes necessary to get at and loosen the door hinge bolts which also affect alignment.

 

It's easier with the fenders off but you don't have to remove them.

 

Or get creative with your1/2" wrench cutting and welding skills ... using some cheapies from a flea market.

 

I use flex head ratchet wrenches

 

I think that the rule of thumb is to start at the back of the cab and move forward from there. Thus, step one is to get the top, bottom and rearmost gaps of the door just right and locked down securely. Step two is to get the fenders to line up with the door without the hood being attached. This is especially easy with the dent or bump being used as a guideline. The fenders have a lot of bolts to loosen or remove so are the most flexible item in this chain. Don't forget that the radiator support structure to which the inner fenders attach. It can be adjusted with washers that can be slotted out to act as shims. The three slotted bolts in the firewall mounted inner fender bracket are also very important in adjusting the inner fenders to which the outer fenders attach. Then there is that sneaky little bolt that links the fender to the fresh air part of the firewall (flexible ratchet is best here inserted through half open door). Finally, the big bolt that is only visible from underneath. It secures the fender to the rocker panel.
Then and only then can you properly install and adjust the hood. There a few tricks to that as well. Good luck with this juggling act.

 

I tried flex ratchets, but they would not get me to all three bolts at the front of each hinge, but a tape wrapped extension with a wobble tip got me in through the gap of the open door / fender with a crow foot .... but in the end, I didn't have to adjust there. My needed adjusting was in / out using just the bolts in the hinges at the door front, and the striker. I was testing to make sure I had all bolts covered before loosening my bolts.