How to Hang a Door Question

[kent_goins]

Another question for the forum...
Was installing the trunk lid and doors on my 1970 Dodge Challenger yesterday and having a hell of a time getting gaps and lining the door properly. Looks like it will take a day per door to get them correct by trial and error . Is there a better way to install doors or some kind of fixture to hold the door in place in the closed position while I install the hinges??? Any ideas or tips?

KG

[RUNCHARGER]

I generally use a floor jack however next time I want to hang them using an engine hoist. I wrap rags around them to protect against damage. You are doing it before fenders I trust. I think 1 to 2 hours per door should be lots, remember to place about 40lbs in the doors if they are bare when lining them up.

[kent_goins]

yes, I am accounting for the window glass weight and regulators. I am using a special jack for holding the door but was thinking it would be much quicker to hold the door in place in the closed position and then install the hinges and let them fall into place automatically. Seems to me the problem is we try to adjust the door hinges in the door open configuration and then close it to check gaps. Why not hold the door in the closed position right where we want it, then install hinges, in which case the hinges should locate right where they need to be?

KG

[RUNCHARGER]

For sure: I think you can get universal sockets in there to do it that way. Bolt it in roughly, latch the door, loosen the bolts and line up the front and tighten. You still have to monkey with the latch as you correct the height and in-out of course. Honestly the trial and trial again method doesn't take that long though, maybe 4 times max.

[Cuda Cody]

Two guys makes it a bit easier, but it takes a little bit of time to figure out what happens when you move each hinge.  If everything was lined up doing metal work with the gaskets it should all line up again.  Try leaving one hinge with one bolt (fairly snug) and pivot off of it to make small changes.  I use a pencil and mark where things are and then I know where I need them to go.  For example, if the lower bottom of the door corner near the rear quarter is sticking out, then I know the top hinge needs to go in. 

[RUNCHARGER]

Yes: I only snug one bolt per location. I use masking tape near the hinges as a reference. Sometimes my eyes go buggy and I put masking tape on the rear of the door and quarter to help line them up as well.

[Cuda Cody]

Also, if you are hanging them without all the regulator you will want to put about 52 pounds of weight in them.  If you don't put some weight in them as soon as you put the regulators and glass in the doors will need to be adjusted again because they will sag about 3/8" and not catch on the latch anymore.   It's an easy adjustment to get the door back up, but some weight in there now will solve it.

[shawge]

I used an engine hoist, a leveler, and some straps (+ lots of towels) to hold the door in position while I bolted the hinges to the body.  I had to bolt the doors to what looked to be a little high while it was on the hoist to account for the glass/regulator load as Cody mentioned.

[kent_goins]

thanks for all the advice and comments. We spent 5 hours playing with the doors and still cant get the gaps right. Yes, we installed them during metal work pre paint and it all looked good. Not sure why things are different now.

[LinceCuda]

Another little tip as I always found it easier to remove the door striker when lining up my doors. Once the door is lined up with the rear quarter and rocker then install the striker. Push the door in slowly one click then the second click and watch the movement and the feel to make your final adjustment on the striker.

[fc7cuda]

Another little tip as I always found it easier to remove the door striker when lining up my doors. Once the door is lined up with the rear quarter and rocker then install the striker. Push the door in slowly one click then the second click and watch the movement and the feel to make your final adjustment on the striker.

  stricker just gets in the way, install it last and