Door alignment, flush or not?

[vince311]

I'm looking at buying a '76 Chevy Cheyenne swb. Great truck all around...except one thing that caught my suspicion. I don't have pics unfortunately, but I hope I can explain.

Both doors...at the rear edge are not flush with the rear of the cab. The doors seem to stick out just slightly, maybe a half inch.

This appeared a little odd to me....though I am no expert on this particular era of truck. The dealer went on to tell me that the truck came stock that way, and that the doors were never flush.

Is this a load of garbage? or is this just poor body alignment/door adjustment?

thanks

[SLUG]

you can fix that by ajusting the striker pin

[Captkaos]

The dealership is trying to sell you a truck, not give true facts.  Although the body fittment on these trucks were the greatest, they were NEVER that bad.  As Slug said, the strickers need adjusting.  The body panel gaps were what were not perfect, all of them fit flush..

[HAULIN IT]

Vince, Is the doors sticking out evenly top to bottom? If so, Slug is right on. If it is more on the top or bottom you may need to align it at the hinges. If it is only toward the bottom, I would be questioning a poor rocker/cab corner replacement. As the Captain said, these trucks at times had "questionable" gaps & panel fitment, however a 1/2" is way too much. Also you may be experiencing some poor fitting aftermarket parts, some fit fairly well & others are just plain poop. Look it over, the dealer is doing what dealers do to get a bad rap, tell you anything hoping to make the sale. Lorne   

[vince311]

Perfect! Thanks for the info. I trust the dealer as far as I can throw him :-)

[hotrod24]

is this what you mean i tryied every thing if you fix yours let me know

[Captkaos]

What does the top of the door look like?  How are the bushings in the hinges?  Is the whole bottom out, or just the corners?

[hotrod24]

i replaced the top hinge and just the corners stick out

[VileZambonie]

Looks like someone did a hack job replacing your rockers and cab corners once upon a time.

[HAULIN IT]

Hotrod, Is the Right door closed on "the second catch"? If you close it gently, do you hear one click & then push it again & hear another one? If the striker pin is too far in you will only get the one. Open the door & manually close the latch, see if it makes one click, push it a little more & it should click again. That door does not  seem shut to me. The Left one (from the photo) looks to fit the rocker about 10"-12" inches from the back, then wings out, mostly in the lower Blue area, is this how it is? If so, that's something in poor repair (likely the door) or just bent slightly. I could help a little more with a few more photos, some of the inside of the door, rocker/cab corner jamb & a little farther away with them closed. If you would like, Lorne

[hotrod24]

here i a couple

[HAULIN IT]

Sorry Hotrod, With the shadows & the angles, it's hard to see much. That's what is bad about talking about some things without really seeing it. The obvious my be right there for someone to help, but can't see it in a photo or have it described in such a way that it is clear. I'll gladly help if I can, just need a little better photos. Have a good one, Lorne

[ccz145a]

The right side looks like the rust in the door has allow that lower corner to bend out some. I dunno, does not look like any major repairs have been done left or right, a little primer on some other panels, but nothing looks to be done on the rockers or cab corners on either side. Bet the left door is misaligned and the right door needs to be repaired and aligned. Check for hinge wear, too.

[hotrod24]

you tell me where and i will take more pics and i will make sure that thay are no shadows

[75??? franken-trunk]

i just got done swaping doors on my truck, ok if it sags you door pins are shot but if there new put a jack under the door towards the back when open aply upward presser with the jack the tighten the hinge to door screws from top to bottom it will be close the move the striker if needed...... if the top of bottom sticks out more the the other put a jack under the door towards to center of the door, jack stands work but not as nice loosen your bolts then pull or push on the top or bottom of the door by the hinges to get it to sit right with the body... again the striker may need to be moved for this....... if the whole door shuts to far or not for enough ang every thing else lines up it only the striker.....                 -helpfull hints take a metel object and scribe where the hinges are befor you remove a door to do pins so you have a good idea on where it should go when its time to put it on, a jack can help for for instalation of a door when your by yourself, and never slam a door right after its back on always check the striker to lacth aligenment and the fender clerence... hope this helps with any door problems