question on suicide drs on 54 CHEVY TRK

[51 68CHEVY]

Has anybody done a suicide door conversion on any 47-54 chevy trucks. If so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks gary

[robin58]

Did it on my 53. Specifically what are you looking for? I used Autoloc hinges on mine, however had I known about them sooner I would have used a different manufacturer or simply swapped original hinges around. Not because of the quality I hasten to add, but because the Autoloc hinges I used (along with most others I've seen) tend to be too wide for easy use. There are a few manufacturers that make a narrower set which makes it easier to install the hinges aligned vertically and at the same time set them far enough apart. Hagen Street Rods is one supplier who sells the narrower ones (the receiver tube is 2" instead of the more common 3" to which you have to add the 1/2" taken up by the pin it swings on) but I am sure there are plenty of others. If you use the wider ones about the furthest apart you can get the hinges is 14.5" which isn't much. If it's your first time suiciding doors, I'd stay away from cheaping out and making original hinges work. It's far easier to leave the door on its original hinges while tack welding everything in place for your new hinges. At least doing it this way, you'll know everything is squared up.

The basics of suicide doors really don't vary so the generic guide at suicidedoors can really be followed. Like stressed there, additional door support should be done to stop them from sagging. I also added support to the pillar for the hinges.

I also installed a selflocking deadbolt setup (again from Autoloc item DL2550) that automatically engages once the vehicle is put in drive. I'd recommend putting something similar in just for safety's sake. A manual setup is just as easily accomplished.

[mr48chev]

I cut most of the post (s) out of a junk cab and then swapped them into my cab side for side.
That was the easy part. Getting the hinges to fit in the doors right is the pain. I almost think it would have been easier to cut the top portion off the doors and swap the doors side to side and weld them back together.
I did this in 1982 I think.

[fleetsidefive8]

great topic! not to steal post...but does anyone have pictures of work in progress, or used original hinges. told their best for door weight.?? advice appreciated.1956 good luck with your doors.

[robin58]

I used to have a bookmark to someone who'd done it with a 56 but his site seems to be gone. This thread shows how to do it on a 53-55 Fawd:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=11640

Same principles apply. This would be the method I assume mr48chev used.

[51 68CHEVY]

Mr 48 chevy thats not a bad idea all the hinge pockets would be all stock for the hinge and alot stronger. Thanks anybody else have an ideas plese post i"m taken it all in. Thanks gary 54

[fleetsidefive8]

after some time to clean up parts.....looks like I can use stock 56 hinge with slight upper hinge mods for the Suicide. BUTT....the doors only openstock angle about 70 degrees. I think this is Ok. welcome imput before the surgery.

[ratrodmiller]

hello ,i swapped door pillars on my 1950 ad to make my truck suicide doors .I have pics on my profile, It worked out great i used bear claw latches to complete the conversion.

[chevygurly]

Autoloc does make a hinge that they recommend for minitrucks. The hinge is smaller. They call it the hidden hinge.

http://www.thehoffmangroup.com/autol...d=hdhin&r=5010

[fuzzyman]

I saw some the other day the doors look cool as hell on any 50's chevy truck, I am thinking about putting it on my 51