Suicide 101

[biohazardbill]

After searching and searching there isnt a ton of info or tutorials on how to suicide the doors on these trucks. So I figure that I would post step by step the steps I am taking to suicide my Suburban. Keep in mind I am a computer nerd by trade that used to dabble alot on 4x4 stuff that it didnt matter what it looked like in the end. This is completely new to me and I am open to suggestions as I progress.

First things first, align the door exactly where you want it:


Once aligned remove the door catch so you can open and close freely:

[biohazardbill]

From there time to prepare the inside of the jamb:



Being a suburban there is an access panel that needs to be removed for reinfocing, trucks wont need to do this:


8 screws and 21 spot welds later

[biohazardbill]

I am using jeep wagoneer pocket hinges($30 at a local junkyard) so I am testing an at home brake to see if I need to go to the Steel supply for some c-channel.

1/8" x 6" cutting a 20" pieces to keep all the bends the same for all four I will need


The press:


Piece aligned:


Voila:

[biohazardbill]

So I then made a posterboard template of the jamb and cut a piece of steel for it:


I plan on placing one of the hinges about where the catch is on the cab jamb so time to make it flat:



Cut out the catch area:



Test new jamb piece:



from this angle you can see there is a pretty big gap:

[biohazardbill]

Time to fill the gap, I marked visible are and cut a piece to fill in:




Retest the fit, here you can see no I have enough filled to weld the jamb to the cab:



Here is the backside:



I will weld on the backside edges as well as drill a couple holes in the jamb face to weld the jamb in place. from there I will do the rest of the fill where i cut out the catch. That will be in the next couple days. Hopfully pending no issues will have this side done this weekend.

[nhtc33d]

Looking good! Looks like your brake worked really well for making your c-channel. Can't wait to see more!

[idreama300]

Looking like a great write up so far.

[jonzcustomshop]

can't wait to see more, this might be a solution to some problems I am having w/ a build...
what year range/body jeep were those from?


*** oh! and save those templates! I might want to buy a copy!***

[biohazardbill]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

can't wait to see more, this might be a solution to some problems I am having w/ a build...
what year range/body jeep were those from?


*** oh! and save those templates! I might want to buy a copy!***

I dont think there is a specific year. The hinges I believe can be obtained from either the fullsize Cherokee or the Wagoneer. Also I suggest getting them from the two door versions as they open the full 90 degrees, the four door versions do not open quite as far.

I will take pics of the hinges as I install them.

[biohazardbill]

Was able to get a little bit more done today.

I almost hate to post the next pics as my sheet metal work lacks in comparison to alot of you on here.... but here we go.

Looking at the door jamb and the existing depression etc, i didnt like it because it didnt look like it would flow right. so I cut out more of the top of the depression for the catch.



From the back you can see i spot welded the fabricated jamb piece.



Fabricated a new cover. Mind you a cover was needed regardless since the new fabricated jamb sat behind the original jamb. This left 1/16 left to fill in to bring it out flush with the factory jamb. Hope that comment made sense

(crappy fab pic number 1)


Test Fit cover:

[biohazardbill]

From there I spot welded in the new cover to make sure the door still closed.



See how much more room I had to play with



I have 1/4 inch to play with. With the outside of the burban being gray and the door line green, looks deceiving.

From there finishd welding her up filling in any of the gaps.

(crappy fab pic 2)



Its not perfect... didnt expect it to be but nothing a body guy or a better sheetmetal worker cant fix.

Next step, hinges... coming soon.

[chad64chevy]

cool write up, cant wait to see it finished!!

[LowDown]

Cool !

[kc0kfg]

Originally Posted by biohazardbill

Next step, hinges... coming soon.

Any updates on this? I cant wait to see the hinges.

[biohazardbill]

Ran into some issues with the door itself flexing... then I had to start rewiring my Dad's house before it gets too hot outside so havent had much time to put towards it lately.

[kc0kfg]

Originally Posted by biohazardbill

Ran into some issues with the door itself flexing... then I had to start rewiring my Dad's house before it gets too hot outside so havent had much time to put towards it lately.

Thats cool, at least we know you are still out there.

I think we all wish we could work only on what we "want" to, more likely we end up working on things that "have" to be done,,,,now Im back to the bathroom tile job that the wife wants done. LOL

[biohazardbill]

Yeah mean while i am grabbing a buttload of parts. Air ride is in, sway bar, brake stuff and steering stuff ordered, radiator in, gas tank in, ordering wire harness, steering column and new guage cluster sometime in the next week or so. Trying my darndest to get this thing going by summer but life seems to be slowing me down lol.