How to adjust door so I don't have to slam it to shut it?

[G-NUT]

I've searched the internet and searched this forum for days now and have not found just what I'm looking for.  How, or what, can I adjust to get my drivers side door to latch without having to slam it?

I recently bought a 1985 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 3+3 from the second owner.  All of the doors shut fine except the drivers side door.  If I shut it normally it latches once, but not in the fully closed position.  To get it to fully latch, I have to slam it, close it excessively hard.  I do not want to keep doing this.  The weather stripping looks decent as well as the door hinges.  The door doesn't sag or anything.

Thanks in advance for any assistance,

G

[BADAZ chevy guy]

To do it right, you need to R&R the front fender. The main bolts for door adjustment are back where you can't get to them. There's also one bolt you need to access from under the dash. There's a rubber plug inside a hole that lines up with bolts. You can see which one once you gat the fender off.
Now, Take off the striker bolt from the door jamb being careful not to lose the threaded backing plate. This is so you can align the door without it latching all the time.
You align the door up so you have an even gap top and bottom and along the back edge. I used a paint stur stick between the door and the bottom of the opening just to hold the door up a bit. I only tightened one bolt at a time on each hinge until I got it close.

[CipherLogic]

This may be stating the obvious, but check the striker bolt, door hinge and door hinge bushings and door latch for excessive wear.

[BADAZ chevy guy]

I'd also check the bushing in the striker bolt itself.

[bake74]

This may be stating the obvious, but check the striker bolt, door hinge and door hinge bushings and door latch for excessive wear.

      Always start with the easiest first.  If you door bushings are gone, then go back to what BADAZ chevy guy said.  And by the way, welcome to the site.

[velojym]

While I did buy a couple striker bolts for my truck, I tried the PEX trick, and it worked like a charm.

[BADAZ chevy guy]

I was looking for a vid that shows door alignment and I found this. It's not for the alignment, but it does show that one backward bolt I was talking about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Je6I4EVjJo

[G-NUT]

Thanks for the comments.  I'll check it out today or tomorrow and see what I come up with.

[pholliday1]

I'm confused on the "pex" trick what is it?

[VileZambonie]

When you are too cheap to spend $6.00 on a new striker bolt you can cut a piece of pex or the like and put it over the bolt if the bushing is gone.

[bd]

When you are too cheap to spend $6.00 on a new striker bolt you can cut a piece of pex or the like and put it over the bolt if the bushing is gone.

Hey!  $6 is a sandwich!!   

[VileZambonie]

and almost a cup of keg beer at any event lol

[bd]

Priorities...   

[BADAZ chevy guy]

Priorities...   

Agreed!!

[pholliday1]

I'm still confused are you putting me in a position where I have to choose between beer and latching door?😄