Couple of door questions

[TIM86]

First question: Im having some issues closing my drivers door. If I dont give it a good slam it will only catch part of the way and allows for the door to open partially. I have adjust the post multiple times and it adjusts for a little then goes right back to what it was doing. Is it time for a new catch or post?

Second: I wanted to change the light switch in the door the turns the cab light on when the door is open (old one was broke). Took the old one out and on of the wires fell in the hole. Do I need to pull the fender in order to get this wire out?

Thanks

[VegasBruce]

What shape is the striker in? Is the nylon bushing in good shape? I had to replace mine a couple of days ago, for that reason.

[TIM86]

HA! Thank you for the reply! I had no idea there was a bushing on there because mine was missing! Looked at the passneger side and it was still attached. Can you just pick them @ an auto parts store?

[VegasBruce]

I don't know if an auto parts store has them, you could try. As I recall the dealer still has them. I get mine from the classic truck place here in town.

[motornut]

Originally Posted by TIM86

First question: Im having some issues closing my drivers door. If I dont give it a good slam it will only catch part of the way and allows for the door to open partially. I have adjust the post multiple times and it adjusts for a little then goes right back to what it was doing. Is it time for a new catch or post?

Second: I wanted to change the light switch in the door the turns the cab light on when the door is open (old one was broke). Took the old one out and on of the wires fell in the hole. Do I need to pull the fender in order to get this wire out?

Thanks

there is under the dash, above the ebrake, a rubber plug, wire should be going threw that

[tucsonjwt]

Door striker bolt and bushing are available from any auto parts store. Aftermarket part is made by Dorman - often packaged as HELP products. Dorman merged with Motormite, so that could be another brand.
The door striker is secured by a large nut plate behind the door frame. You need to hold that nut plate when removing/installing the striker - easy to see when you look behind the frame.
The striker has a large TORX head bolt - so you should get a matching size TORX head bit for your 3/8" rachet. The auto parts stores often sell a cheap kit which works fine, or better yet, try Harbor Freight.
Once you adjust your new striker correctly you could find that you have one of two more problems, or both.
One, your door hinge pins may be worn, which could cause your door to "drop" when you open it and not close easily or keep proper alignment. See other posts to find out how to replace those, if you need to. Check these by holding the door along the outside edge when it is open and try to wiggle the door up and down. If it moves up and down at all you should replace the bushings and pins.
Two, you could have worn out or aftermarket door seals. If you use cheap door seals (like I did) then your door will not close correctly. The best seals reported here are from SoftSeal - about $100 a pair delivered, but I would spend the extra dollars if I had to do it again.