Author Topic: Door alignment  (Read 1756 times)

Offline Mario

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Door alignment
« on: June 05, 2018, 07:17:52 PM »
I have an all original cab, doors, and front fenders.  Both fenders have been in collisions, so I know they've been shoved rearward.  I need to replace the rocker panels and cab corners.  I figured I would align the original doors to use them to match the rocker to door gap.  My issue is that the rear gap in the door is about 9/32", and the front gap is 0.  The door was sagging by almost a 1/4", so I adjusted the bottom hinge rearward and the top hinge forward.  It fixed the sag, but did nothing for the rear or front gaps.  My question is this:  Is it possible that the door shell is bent?  Like the area around the bottom hinge pushed inward, and the area around the top hinge pulled out?  Thank you!
Mario
Santa Cruz, NM
1972 C10 4x4 350 350TH NP205
1981 K20 355 NV4500 NP208 GM14SF GM10
2005 3500 Duramax Allison 5spd

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Door alignment
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2018, 06:08:04 AM »
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Mario

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Re: Door alignment
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2018, 09:51:41 AM »
That was a good read.  Thank you Vile!

Should I not waste my time with the original doors, and just install my factory replacement doors to use as a rocker panel fitment guide?  Many years ago I acquired doors from a surburban with power windows and locks.  I stripped them down to the shells, and the body work has already been done on them.  I wanted to paint the jambs and interior so that it would look and feel original before I reassembled them and installed.

That link also got me thinking about the cab mounts.  Are they going to play a role in how the fenders match up to the doors?
Mario
Santa Cruz, NM
1972 C10 4x4 350 350TH NP205
1981 K20 355 NV4500 NP208 GM14SF GM10
2005 3500 Duramax Allison 5spd

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Door alignment
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2018, 05:21:41 PM »
Use the doors that will be on the truck. Fit them first before you do any body work, get the proper alignment then get the fenders fit. Fender to door gaps usually need some persuasion. If you need body mounts, now would be the time.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10