Door removal tips - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**FL71C10** · 02-12-2012, 12:32 PM

I am getting ready to start doing the bodywork on my cab, and I want to take the doors off. Should I unbolt the hinge at the door, or at the pillar?

Any preferences? Does it matter?

Sammy · 02-12-2012, 12:44 PM

Your choice. If your hinges don't have slop and needing rebuilt it is a toss up. Keep in mind two things..first is to keep the bolts seperate as they are fine threaded and easily lost or worst yet you end up putting a normal threaded by accident in and it will strip threads. Next is inside the pillar once you remove the bolts the nut plate can drop down causing you some difficulty. If you are removing them try to keep one bolt in the plate so all of them are not removed at the same time. Hope this helps you..

**FL71C10** · 02-12-2012, 12:47 PM

good advice, thanks!

pat 70/71 · 02-12-2012, 12:49 PM

I have always removed them at the pillar because you get a straight shot at the mounting bolts. Make sure your doors are in alignment before removal if not adjust to proper fit& drill 1/8" holes at the hinge to body/hinges to door and use the same drill bit to line it all back up for easy install when you reinstall your doors. cheers, Pat

02-12-2012, 12:32 PM	#1
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,508	Door removal tips I am getting ready to start doing the bodywork on my cab, and I want to take the doors off. Should I unbolt the hinge at the door, or at the pillar? Any preferences? Does it matter? __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.

02-12-2012, 12:44 PM	#2
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Door removal tips Your choice. If your hinges don't have slop and needing rebuilt it is a toss up. Keep in mind two things..first is to keep the bolts seperate as they are fine threaded and easily lost or worst yet you end up putting a normal threaded by accident in and it will strip threads. Next is inside the pillar once you remove the bolts the nut plate can drop down causing you some difficulty. If you are removing them try to keep one bolt in the plate so all of them are not removed at the same time. Hope this helps you.. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

02-12-2012, 12:47 PM	#3
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,508	Re: Door removal tips good advice, thanks! __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.

02-12-2012, 12:49 PM	#4
pat 70/71 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: newbury park california Posts: 1,038	Re: Door removal tips I have always removed them at the pillar because you get a straight shot at the mounting bolts. Make sure your doors are in alignment before removal if not adjust to proper fit& drill 1/8" holes at the hinge to body/hinges to door and use the same drill bit to line it all back up for easy install when you reinstall your doors. cheers, Pat

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