Door fitment?

[PDW HOTRODS]

I am working on a 1956 Chevy. I bought the truck in peices, doors were off. I am trying to fit doors before I primer, and the pass side door opening seem to be not wide enough, or the door is too wide. Could this be factory? Could the cab have been squeezed? The door does work in the opening, but the gaps are too small that it almost touches on front of the cab, and at the back. I am thinking I might need to use a jack and spread the cab a little, about 1/8 inch to 3/16 inch. Has anyone else had to do this. Also the curve above the top hing below the windshield does not match real good. The door could be ground to fit. All these parts are factory, no repop, and I think all are original to this truck. Thanks.

[skip99]

I had a door that was too wide also, so I just drilled 1/8 in holes along the edge of the door about 1/4 in in about every 2-3 inches and only drilled through the first layer of metal (the skin) .then spot welded, then ran a grinder with a 1/4 inch blade down the gap. then welded the edge and grind it smooth and straight, . I now have nice straight 1/8 in. gaps.

there were places where I had to weld in almost 1/2 in of metal. especially where I removed the drip rails.

as far as stretching the cab, unless you cut the top and floor loose, seems like it might not bend too straight..

[dwcsr]

This can be an issue sometimes when the cab has a lot of metal work done without the proper bracing. With that said its not unusual to have a 1/8 gap on one side and a 1/2 on the other on a truck with no work done. Trimming the door is usually easier as skip99 did.

Take a look at this, http://webrodder.com/article.php?AID=540&SID=60&CID=7

[Lextech]

I have seen that on older trucks. You might try jacking against the lower rear of the jamb up to the middle front of the jamb.

Jeff

[Daze57]

good article

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Daze57

good article

Webrodder.com has a whole series of articles on panel replacement on the 55-59 truck. Some of the best step by step I've seen. I think Yogi's did the works and write up

[bamabob]

Unless there is damage from an accident that was improperly repaired, I would not try to fit gaps by altering the cab. Trim and weld as needed on the door to get the gaps right.