Newbie here, new project 32 ford P.U. , does anyone have any idea as to how to shim the doors, mine are dropping about 1/4" at the latch side. Attempted to shim body at hinge, but that didn't work , would bending the upper hinge help ? thanks for any help Bo
The Cowl bolts & shims adjust the doors at latch 's , No shims between frame & cowl , door raise up at the back, add shims lower the door like you are describing ,
Back in the day we would put a piece of wood (like a 2x4) between the door and frame and gradually shut the door and check the alignment. Do not go too far- check often. In your case the lower hinge area. We were working on cars of lesser value than yours but I'll bet that it will work. I guess that it all depends on the value of the car and your budget.
Before you start bending stuff you need to be damn sure thats what needs to be done. Check the pins for play first, check the existing door gaps to see just where the problem is and figure out a good plan before you even think about jumping in with both feet. Not sure about it? Get some good help! If you don't have a clear plan its pretty easy to make a simple adjustment problem FAR worse! Ya know...a few pictures would be a huge help in getting some assistance to this issue.
Having built a couple of 32 pickups I try to avoid bending the hinges if all possible,you might try removing the lower hinge from the body and use small washers behind the hinge between the body and hinge to space the door back. You will have to experiment with it but it will do the job. HRP
If they're anything like the Model A (30-31) you want to put small shims under the cab closest to the hinges. Taking into consideration you have all the rest where you want them to be, loosen the bolts closest to the firewall then the next pair at the hinges, add the shims and pull down the most forward bolts 1st, then those at the hinge or closest to them. As long as you've collapsed a lock washer they won't loosen up. I did this to my A pickup and the doors are almost dead on. I have dovetail issues yet but it's really close.
Thanks for all the .ideas, an (old timer) ? stopped by and suggested leaving the hinges alone, he suggested shimming the body as many have instructed me to do, he also mentioned "it's a truck, nothing was perfect on them" .He also had an idea of using a porta-power from back of cab at bottom to top of cab at windshield racking body, His reasoning was the body was so racked ,it may need to be re-aligned to start with ,,,,,he was correct, body was totally out of square , now its close ! Thanks again
i know it is a truck, and i have heard people say they were never perfect. but i found with proper repair adjusting and shimming all the seams can be made nice. vehicle should be sitting on its four wheels and or level jack stands. i like to adjust body panels without the door latches or dove tails that might influence the swing of the doors. start by tightening all the body bolts with all the same cushions/webbing in place and as said check hinges/pins for wear. look at the gaps along the front edge of the door, if these are not even and pins are tight the hinges need to be shimmed of bent as stated above. in your case the back of the door is down so raising the hinge post with a shim will cure it. put a shim in then tighten ALL the bolts you loosened to get the shims in, to check. this needs to be done because you are flexing the body sills by tightening the bolts. keep going you can get it perfect.