Door swap question

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JeffK10America

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Maybe a dumb question! But look . Has anyone removed and replaced a square body door without removing the fender . In other words , just by removing the door without removing the hinges . And had success lining it up .. in out adjustment. Because I really didn't want to remove another fender !
 

Rickf

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I have when using the same door after doing rust repair. If you are changing the door, plan on spending a lot of time adjusting and re-adjusting.
 

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Scribe the door, keep any shims in marked bags, no need to pull fender. Remove bolts starting from the bottom and work up.
Get help. Dem doors ain't for the faint hearted!
 

JeffK10America

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Scribe the door, keep any shims in marked bags, no need to pull fender. Remove bolts starting from the bottom and work up.
Get help. Dem doors ain't for the faint hearted!
It's actually gutted rite now , prepped and ready for paint . Maybe the easiest to hang that way . But I will put the latch back in it first . There a pain to work on or rebuild without something to hold them
 

JeffK10America

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Scribe the door, keep any shims in marked bags, no need to pull fender. Remove bolts starting from the bottom and work up.
Get help. Dem doors ain't for the faint hearted!
Ye unfortunately it is a different door , a dent free door . My other door needs a skin . Just a time thing . But I actually found a same year door and straight imagine that . Thanks
 

Snoots

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Preparing the door

Install the door hinges on the door and make sure that the lower hinge is in the closed position; this will give you a straight shot at it on installation.

Install the door latch; having the door latch installed will help with aligning the door, especially if you’ve taken on the job alone and then, install the door jamb sticker plate.


Prepare the door jambs and gap gauges

Before I mount the door I prep the rear door jambs and rocker panel with my panel gap gauge made out of pop-sickle sticks (you can use paint sticks), this will set the initial gap as well as help protect the jambs and rocker from an impact with the door edges.


Mounting and Aligning the Door

Once the door is mounted and the striker plate is adjusted so the rear of the door is aligned pretty well I move to fine tuning the door alignment.


Door Hinges 101

The body side of the hinges allow adjustments to be made: up, down and front to back.

The door side if the hinge allows adjustments to be made: up, down, inboard and outboard.


Each adjustment should be made to one hinge side at a time, tighten the bolts and then move to the next adjustment.



Problem and Solution

P: The gap between the top rear of the door and the quarter panel is too close; you need to widen the gap.

S: Make the adjustment at the top body side hinge; nudge it forward until you achieve the appropriate gap.



P: The bottom rear of the door is sticking out and is not flush with the body.

S: Make the adjustment at the top door side hinge; pull the top front of the door outward and you will see the lower rear of the door drift inward.



Top rear in or out = lower door side hinge

Bottom rear in or out = upper door side hinge

Setting gap and angle = body side hinges, up down, forward or back
 

Ricko1966

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Ye unfortunately it is a different door , a dent free door . My other door needs a skin . Just a time thing . But I actually found a same year door and straight imagine that . Thanks
I did both of mine no special prep,just used common sense,both my doors and bed were beat to piss. I bought a parts truck with good doors and bed. Unbolted and swapped nbd.Just common sense I think there may have been some tweaking on adjustments,been a long time ago. But really NBD.
 
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TotalyHucked

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Yep, I do it all the time at work. 9/16 ratcheting wrench, just take the bolts out of the door and use a jack with a block of wood to hold it up. Hinges stay on the door post.
 

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good info.. would I be safe to say that the info. above can be applied if replacing the door pins & bushings?
 

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