'56 Cab Wind Noise

[ford37502]

Picked up a really sweet '56 pickup a couple of months ago for an incredible price. It was built with all the right stuff, but I have an incredible issue with wind noise around the doors. The cab has all new weatherstripping installed and the latches seem to be set right ... the back of the doors are flush to the cab openings. I took a dollar bill and closed it in the door in several places and it slid out with zero resistance, so the seals aren't touching. Have no idea the manufacturer of the seals but they appear to be good quality. Any thoughts for next steps to take?? I REALLY do not want to drive a vehicle with that kond of noise. Thanks for any suggestions

[Highsider]

So, I just had the door gap aligned as close to perfect as a 1957 truck could be. Add that I had new Steele brand (premium) door rubber installed.
I can see daylight at the point I marked as well as wind noise.
I just added some premium closed-cell foam on the upper/forward corner, just inside and parallel to the Steele rubber. It isn't noticeable and has reduced noise, somewhat. I will start over and use a longer piece and see if that helps.

[Daze57]

Not to sound like a jerk but is the rubber around the door faceing the right way ?

[Highsider]

Originally Posted by Daze57

Not to sound like a jerk but is the rubber around the door faceing the right way ?

Good point.
For mine anyway, yes, it is and I think it was the new recently self-installed Steele on the rear barn doors was found to be azz-backwards, when it went to the body shop.

[butchp]

Put wd 40 on cab and black silcone to rubber and shut door. Try dollar bill again add silcone till there is drag. Door should be inside of wind line on front or door even or out in the back. Add silcone where needed and WD to body so it wont stick.

[ford37502]

Originally Posted by butchp

Put wd 40 on cab and black silcone to rubber and shut door. Try dollar bill again add silcone till there is drag. Door should be inside of wind line on front or door even or out in the back. Add silcone where needed and WD to body so it wont stick.

Thanks Butch.... sounds like a good way to get where I need to be. Would you suggest that I work the front side first since that gets the most wind pressure?

I had considered installing a small profile/ Soffseal seal on the body side matching the door seal, but wasn't happy with seeing the seal on the body.

[ford37502]

Originally Posted by Daze57

Not to sound like a jerk but is the rubber around the door faceing the right way ?

OK....good question, but I haven't a clue which would be the proper orientation of the seal. I've searched the web for pictures, but can't find anything. Could you either describe the right way to face the seal or attach a picture to a reply, please?

[Daze57]

type in 'direction of door seal ' in the search box and you;ll find a 59 apache blog - it has door picts ; he has his on the wrong way - the ''shoulder '' or higher part of the seal should be facing the cab .
see if yours is like the pict - if it is you need to reverse it

hope this makes sense !

[ford37502]

Daze57...just checked out the search you suggested and sure enough, the seals are in bass-ackwards, and I completely understand how it happened.... the seal is a perfect fit with the long side tucked nicely against the outer door lip !!!!!

Thanks for all the replies. I'll let you know how it turns out

[1project2many]

OP: I'd expect noise to be from the upper forward corners. Those old cabs weren't built with the same quality as today's vehicles and you may end up setting the door more than factory spec'ed 1/8" inside the cab opening at the front to get the gasket tight. I've used the silicone trick but it's a last resort.

[solidaxel]

As a last resort, I have used a block of wood and a come-a -long (before glass installed) to force the door into its final position. We used several different doors to finish up our stretch 53...........................................Ben Franklin bills are much thicker, at least they feel that way, when I have them in my wallet!!!

[_Ogre]

i installed the weather strip on my doors backwards when i first built it
just recently turned it around, i still have wind noise at 80mph but not near what i had before
now when i go thru the carwash the cab does not flood
if it looks right, it's probably wrong. this is the correct way to orientate the weather stripping

[Highsider]

Here is the Steele door seal, purchased in December.
Completely different design.
Cost was about three times the typical seals.

[ford37502]

Originally Posted by Highsider

Here is the Steele door seal, purchased in December.
Completely different design.
Cost was about three times the typical seals.

Hey Highsider... thanks for this picture..does this seal work??? I found the Steele site and they have 2 different seals, one larger in profile for "hard to seal" doors, but there were no pictures. I'm not so concerned about the appearance as I am about getting rid of the NOISE !!!!

[Daze57]

hmmmmmmmm not too crazy about that seal

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Daze57

hmmmmmmmm not too crazy about that seal

Why? You spend a lot of time with the door open examining it? Showing it off? Seems that if it works well, who cares what it looks like?

[1project2many]

Cost was about three times the typical seals.

Gaaa-ron-teeed to stop wind noise and water entry, eh?

[Daze57]

if the seal works - thats what matters (to me)
and i guess i am too used to the original style of seal .
but if it works for whomever - so be it !!!!!
i dont spend time examining seals - all i care about is quality - and that it does what it is supposed too. other than that ..................well thats it !
no prob sir -