Hi I need some info on the best way to reinforce the door jambs in order to install suicide hinges. I realize I also have to reinforce the doors > stretch the cab eight inches over the summer so the doors have expanded! Any help with this would be greatly appreciated THANKS
If you are going to stretch the cab then chances are you will be cutting the cab behind the door jamb. At that time you can get access to and reinforce the backside of the B-pillar (door jamb) and add hinges. Make a mock-up hinge assembly to be sure the door skin is going to clear the body as it rotates open. Use bear claw latches on the A-pillar. Good luck.
Making doors hinge on the back was a fad that streetrodders went thru many years ago. Its kinda like hanging a sign on your car that it was built in the 1990s and is not a traditional hotrodding procedure
You forgot the 40's thru the 80's, it's been around a long time. At least they are not Lambo or Gull wing........
Maybe so,,but why would you want to,,these old trucks just don't lend themselves to the custom look. IMHO! Case in point,,check out the truck Chris built,,simple but has the unmistakable look of a truck built to look traditional. HRP
Didn't say I was in favor of it HRPbut to say it is a 90's thing is a little misleading to say the least.....for me suicide doors belong on cars that came with them, very little gain for a lot of hidden work...plus it's harder for my fat ass to get in and out of the rascal And yes I agree that Chris's truck is spot on.
I can’t argue your point for most! Except that I have taken my truck and stretched it 8" took a couple off the top and well you will have to wait till I post more photos before you decide if its going to have the look of custom! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> Have a Great Ride!<o></o>
ChefMike, you might be able to gain some insight from this thread. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=451530 If you have not already started the change, I would suggest that you simply let it be. we spent a shitload of time doing our 2 doors and jams. It's nice but the time and effort vs wow-factor simply is not worth it. If I can be of any help with more pics, drop me a PM........I have a bunch
did one door on my 53 dodge truck and hated it so much I put it back stock. Not worth the effort in my (humble) opinion......
Hey Mike, Any chance you can swap the possition of the A Post to where it becomes the B Post ,just @ the hinge areas, leaving the above & below areas of the posts intact? This method would help keep the hinge alignment & latch location from becomming an issue. The above method works best when the A & B posts are almost vertical from the cowl & floor. " Humpty Dumpty was pushed "
Thanks for all the impute… however I'm knee deep into it! I took a look at the photos and there a great help thank you will post some photos as I progress<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> Thanks <o></o>
Mine was done in 1981 before it became a fad. And it will be done on the next build street roddy or not. It's been part of the truck's character for 30 years. My usual response is that "Well, It's a three window". Although there are some people in the world who think that they saw a special edition Australian truck that was designed so that a farmer or sheepman could get out and open gates into the paddocks easier. Chiefmike I'd be thinking about putting in some extra bracing for the door jamb so that it didn't move around. The jamb it's self is probably strong enough but you don't want the cab flexing with the extra weight hanging on the jamb.
Thanks for the reply ! I love the Law of Mechanical Repair I think that the extra bracing is a smart move and for all the work it is worth it !
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