Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by gdavis

I like the two tone colors on your truck. I have a question. What can I do on the backing plate nuts for the lower hinge on the driver side? I only have one bolts holding. I stripped two and I already have my truck painted and both door back on the truck. I can planning on getting a set of speaker kick panels for the inside of the truck. Is it easier to cut a hole in the metal kick panel and weld new nuts where the old ones were. I don't like the idea of removing the door again. But plus to shove I will. It took me 2 hours to adjust the door. How about larger bolts tapped in the old nut. Or weld the hinge. I really don't care for welding the hinge in place. Just looking for a ideas. George from Florida

Hey George.
The tapped holes the hinge bolts thread into should be in a flat plate, they're not welded nuts. The plate is held captive inside the door pillar with a spot welded cage around it to provide additional adjustment. Depending on which holes are stripped, you might be able to access them with the door open. I'd first attempt to tap them the next size up from the outside. Use a taper length (long) drill bit to open the stripped hole and an 8 point socket to thread the tap in with an extension and a ratchet. That has the thinnest profile and would give you the least chance of boogering up your paint. If the fender/door edges are too much in the way, going thru the kick panel is probably your next best option. If you do one hole at a time, you won't lose your adjustment. Good luck! Vic