What makes the doors shut funny?

[Skunksmash]

What exactly is it that makes the doors on these old trucks shut in that way? You know, that "old" way that they shut. My dad had an 87 Silverado back in 87 and i know for a fact the doors did not shut anything like what mine do on my 87. On his (back then) they shut like a 2008 truck's would shut these days. I would like to return my trucks doors to that state. Is it only the striker bolt that catches the door and holds it in place when it shuts? Cause if it is, i really can not tell why just by looking at it. Mine don't really appear any worse for wear. What would a person have to do to make the doors on one of these old trucks shut as if the truck were new again?

[ccz145a]

hinge pins, striker, door gaskets, window felt and beltline gaskets all wear with time. Replace all of that, and realign.

[78 Chevyrado]

hinge pins, striker, door gaskets, window felt and beltline gaskets all wear with time. Replace all of that, and realign.

What he said...

  The easiest thing to fix if you only want them to shut better but don't care about aligning them is to reposition the striker bolt.  If your hinges are sagging and the striker has never been readjusted, then the door will have to go up-and-over the striker to close.  reposition the striker until nothing contacts it as the door shuts except the moving part of the latch.  Also if the plastic bushing is gone from your striker, buy a new striker, (it's like 5-10 bucks) and then line it up.  I had a chevy dealer redo my hinge pins (I don't care for messing with em)  and it was $250 for one door. 

[jefferias]

Dont forget the striker latch in the door.  I just did mine and was pretty easy and made a world of difference.

[Bitzer!]

dont forget the lube