1955 (2nd gen) first timer..

[ptc]

Before you get the 2x4 out just make sure that your hinges are set properly, and they are tight.... there is some room for adjustment there. Once all that adjustment is used up then go to the "bending/shaping" process to get it dialed in. also you should have your front fenders on also to check that gap and fit all at the same time.... its one long surface that needs to all fit together.

Good luck to ya! make a plan and work the plan....

[Clarance J]

Hello samples45. I like what you are doing here with your truck. The door fitting can be very frustrating. I don't know if this part of your door fitting problem but this what I ran into on my doors. The inside bottom door replacement sheet metal has a bow in it. I had to slice the panel on the bottom, put straight edge on it and tack back together. This was on the drivers side. I didn't see this until I had tacked it all together (inner and outer)and tried to fit the door on the cab. Here are some pictures to show what I am referring to. If your door bottom is bowed it will show on the step of cab bottom. Good luck on your build.

[samples45]

Originally Posted by bajabob

Samples
In no way am I trying to tell you how to build your truck, but before you finish, do yourself a favor and look through Bam's build if you haven't already.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?t=440079/


You clearly have some awesome skills, like ol Bam does.... but look at some of the subtle things he did to the cab to clean it up. The square notch on the doors just below the windows, rounded, the rain cutters cleaned up... on and on and on.... you are headed in the right direction with the cowl vent and smoothing the dash (me likes a lot). If I had that kind of skill I would rip what ever I could from BAM's build.... he might even let you call it yours !!!!! lol !!!

Nice work.
ps
you make me feel bad for not getting more done on mine, no more excuses!!!

First off i hope Bam doesnt find out you put me and him in the same skill boat!! lol I met bam back on another fourm, ive been following his stuff for awhile he does awesome work! And hey my truck is not in primer yet you dont know what im goin to do next! lol but really i like the rain gutters mine are not rusted so im thinking about keeping them. i also like the one on the firewall. ive thought about rounding the door corners and still might do it..the more i look at them the more i just like them the way they are.. ive still got a lot to do before i get the truck in primer so no telling what ill do lol

[samples45]

Originally Posted by Nut Case

Samples45. Just a good ole boy's approach to your issue. Imagine you are standing about 3 feet on the out side of the passengers door. The top left is in to far and the left bottom is to far out. If that is the issue it can be fixed. I watched a body man in the mid 60's, take a 2X4 placed it at 45 degrees across the upper left door, blocking the door from closing, it's bridged between the rain gutter across the top and the body approximately the same place as the gas filler is on the drivers side. With the block in place, you start pushing in on the bottom of the door. Torquing the door to better fit the cab. Keep pushing on the bottom, checking often, sneaking up on the final fit. Sounds nutty, I truly watched a body man, man handle the door in this manner to get the door to better fit the cab. It's not rocket surgery, but it works. I have no pride to bruise if you opt not to use this method or think I'm a "Nut Case" LOL Good luck.

Originally Posted by Kim57

This is similar to how I fixed the problems with my doors.
I just used a long 2x4 to bend the top out. An experienced body man told me to do it that way.
Kim

nut case and kim, thanks guys! ill be giving this a try for sure because i have been trying to fix the problem with hinges for a soild week now and just cant get it.. im gonna get a 2x4 and go to work

[samples45]

Originally Posted by ptc

Before you get the 2x4 out just make sure that your hinges are set properly, and they are tight.... there is some room for adjustment there. Once all that adjustment is used up then go to the "bending/shaping" process to get it dialed in. also you should have your front fenders on also to check that gap and fit all at the same time.... its one long surface that needs to all fit together.

Good luck to ya! make a plan and work the plan....

Ive been adjusting the hinges all week and still cant get it.. i even thought about making all the holes a bit bigger to get more movement in the hinges but i didnt.. i will put the fenders on when im really trying to make the body lines straight.. I did have it on and it was really really close.. im just trying to get the door even with the cab right now

[samples45]

Originally Posted by Clarance J

Hello samples45. I like what you are doing here with your truck. The door fitting can be very frustrating. I don't know if this part of your door fitting problem but this what I ran into on my doors. The inside bottom door replacement sheet metal has a bow in it. I had to slice the panel on the bottom, put straight edge on it and tack back together. This was on the drivers side. I didn't see this until I had tacked it all together (inner and outer)and tried to fit the door on the cab. Here are some pictures to show what I am referring to. If your door bottom is bowed it will show on the step of cab bottom. Good luck on your build.

hey man thanks!

I wanna say i did see a bow in my new inner bottom.. I wonder why they were made like that? Im gonna have to check it out more, I have not welded on the new outer bottom yet because im not sure how im gonna weld it on and keep the shape of the door. thanks alot! ill update you on this

[Clarance J]

Cameron, I noticed in your post #144 that you did not have the lower door hinge bracket in place yet. That should be welded in before you put the outer skin on. Just makes it easier to get to the welds. Question. Do you have a new hinge pocket replacement part or maybe saving the old one? What are your plans for locating the pocket. Just asking because if you don't I can show you how I did mine. Its easy and accurate.

Earl

[samples45]

Originally Posted by Clarance J

Cameron, I noticed in your post #144 that you did not have the lower door hinge bracket in place yet. That should be welded in before you put the outer skin on. Just makes it easier to get to the welds. Question. Do you have a new hinge pocket replacement part or maybe saving the old one? What are your plans for locating the pocket. Just asking because if you don't I can show you how I did mine. Its easy and accurate.

Earl

I did get the hinge pocket in the door and I have new hinge pockets already in place! I gave up on fixing the door though.. I'm just gonna buy a new one I guess!

[murd969]

Hey man. Any updates on the build?

[samples45]

Originally Posted by murd969

Hey man. Any updates on the build?

Yeah I've got a lot done, just haven't been updating on here. I was planning on getting everyone caught back up soon. I'll get some pics up!
Posted via Mobile Device