Driver side door adjustment

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

bigcountry78

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Posts
3,678
Reaction score
8,806
Location
Hickory, North Carolina
First Name
James
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Does anyone have any tips on getting my driver door to line up any better? I think I’ve gotten as much adjustment out of the hinge that I can get, but I still have a gap at the top that is allowing rain to leak in. The door is also dragging just a little bit, making it hard to close. Hinge pins and hinges are in good shape. I have seen body shops use a tool to pry up on the door to line everything up after replacing hinge pins. Is that a good idea, or just a temporary fix?

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 
Last edited:

73c20jim

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2018
Posts
2,282
Reaction score
2,926
Location
Tombstone, AZ
First Name
Jim
Truck Year
1973, 1973
Truck Model
C20 2WD Custom Deluxe. C10 2WD Base Model
Engine Size
350 CID 195/260 HP Goodwrench crate, 400 CID 2bbl
My mechanic wold do it with a length of wood as a prybar.
 

WFO

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Posts
3,675
Reaction score
5,017
Location
Texas Panhandle
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Have you checked the hinge pin bushings?
Plus, that striker would need to be adjusted up.
 

bigcountry78

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Posts
3,678
Reaction score
8,806
Location
Hickory, North Carolina
First Name
James
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Have you checked the hinge pin bushings?
Plus, that striker would need to be adjusted up.
Hinge pins were done not very long ago. There is zero play in the hinge area. I think the striker will be ok, it’s barely latching as is. Plenty of room for the door to come up before the striker would need to be moved I think.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,407
Reaction score
28,201
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
If the rear door gap is even the whole way, then the door needs to slide up, whether it be from moving the door on the hinges or the hinges on the cab.

If the rear door gap is tight at the top, then the top hinge needs moved forward on the cab.

You can use a bar to tweak the door up at the back, but in my experience, that doesn't last at all with these doors because they will just settle back in place from the weight of the door. The front of the door shell could stand to be a little more beefy.
 

bigcountry78

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Posts
3,678
Reaction score
8,806
Location
Hickory, North Carolina
First Name
James
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Can the hinges be adjusted? I was thinking they are welded in place, but maybe that’s not the case? I was thinking about trying some big flat washers on the bottom hinge, but I’d rather fix it right.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,407
Reaction score
28,201
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Can the hinges be adjusted? I was thinking they are welded in place, but maybe that’s not the case? I was thinking about trying some big flat washers on the bottom hinge, but I’d rather fix it right.

Yeah, there's room for adjustment where they bolt to the body. You can use flat washers at the bottom, but only if the rear gap is wide enough at the bottom to allow for it.
 

bigcountry78

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Posts
3,678
Reaction score
8,806
Location
Hickory, North Carolina
First Name
James
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Yeah, there's room for adjustment where they bolt to the body. You can use flat washers at the bottom, but only if the rear gap is wide enough at the bottom to allow for it.
Ok so I can loosen the hinge bolt and slide it forward then. I think I have enough gap to at least improve the situation. Then I guess I’ll have to readjust the fender gap too.
 

disenough

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2011
Posts
66
Reaction score
129
Location
Rock Hill SC
First Name
brice
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
You can adjust the fender when you put it back on. I don't think you can get to all the bolts without taking the fender off.
Also there is 1 bolt on the inside of the cab above the parking brake that is hard to get to.
 

trukman1

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2018
Posts
340
Reaction score
138
Location
USA
First Name
Gary
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
K5 Blazer
Engine Size
5.7 L (350)
You can adjust the fender when you put it back on. I don't think you can get to all the bolts without taking the fender off.
Also there is 1 bolt on the inside of the cab above the parking brake that is hard to get to.

There is at least one video on You Tube that show where the inside bolts are located. Sure fooled me when I watched one! There is a plastic plug over it if someone hasn't done it before without replacing it.
 

bigcountry78

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Posts
3,678
Reaction score
8,806
Location
Hickory, North Carolina
First Name
James
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
I was able to adjust the hinge without removing the fender, but I did have to remove the door. It was a lot easier to do that by myself, but it still wasn’t much fun. The door now seals better, and the boxy line is closer. Still not perfect, but it will do. The door doesn’t drag either. And I don’t know what dope smoking wing nut decided to put that one bolt in from the inside but that dude is a moron. It did have a cap over it. Anyway it’s where I can live with it now. Thanks for the help guys, this place is a life saver.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,081
Posts
949,016
Members
36,159
Latest member
KrazyKustoms
Top