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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: moregrip on August 01, 2013, 12:34:42 pm

Title: buying used doors, how to tell origin
Post by: moregrip on August 01, 2013, 12:34:42 pm

Is there a way to tell if replacement doors are factory GM, NOS, or other when the origin is unknown?

Title: Re: buying used doors, how to tell origin
Post by: zieg85 on August 01, 2013, 01:54:17 pm

From my experience the aftermarket doors are lighter, sound tinny when you slam them and don't fit real well.  If you are looking at them check how even the lip is that the skin crimps over the door structure.  An aftermarket, at least the ones I've seen, isn't very even.

Title: Re: buying used doors, how to tell origin
Post by: moregrip on August 08, 2013, 09:15:25 am

Thanks for the advice. I ended up passing on them, did not appear to be GM.

Title: Re: buying used doors, how to tell origin
Post by: bake74 on August 11, 2013, 01:30:41 pm

     There is also a section on door differences in the tech section.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,14625.0.html

Title: Re: buying used doors, how to tell origin
Post by: Engineer on August 11, 2013, 05:46:28 pm

From now on any door, fender, or hood that I need will come from a OE 1988~1991 Blazer, or Suburban.

These had better quality dies for their stampings, meaning they match the body lines much better.

And they were galvanized, meaning that they resist rust so much better.

Sadly, the radiator supports, and inner fenders were not galvanized so any battery slobber will have the potential for carnage.

Title: Re: buying used doors, how to tell origin
Post by: Elpresidente on August 18, 2013, 12:54:47 pm

I just picked up a pair of doors and was told they were older aftermarket, but they feel like OE quality, and the guy told me they fit just fine on his truck. I've tried newer aftermarket doors, and I could easily tell the difference. Were the older aftermarket doors better quality?

Title: Re: buying used doors, how to tell origin
Post by: Captkaos on August 19, 2013, 01:21:07 pm

Older aftermarket one were worse in my opinion.  Many of them are "replacement doors"