door/body gaps

[my56chevytruck]

I've not posted many pics on this forum about my 56 truck, but I've accomplished a goal I've had for months closing up the gaps on the doors to the body and hood to fender. As far as the doors to body, I had purchased SOFFSEAL door weatherstripping and although I was able to close the door, I still couldn't get it close enough for my desires so I went to work. I drilled out the cab spot welds, then opened the back of the cab (to the back of the door), filled in the opening after making the body match the doors and welded in the opening I made. As far as the hood, I've tried new and old hinges but still couldnt' get the very front edge of the hood and front edge of the driver's door to line up. Bondo came to mind so I worked it well enough to make the 2 edges to match perfectly. as some has said, you have to be a fabricator as much as a machinist on these old trucks. it's time to fire up and hit the road. thanks for your review.

[_Ogre]

admiral amount of fabrication work, but... i see a lot of chipped paint in your future
these trucks move a lot, even with factory oversized gaps i have chipped paint at most corners of the doors
though i do drive my 58 a lot over rough michigan roads

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

admiral amount of fabrication work, but... i see a lot of chipped paint in your future
these trucks move a lot, even with factory oversized gaps i have chipped paint at most corners of the doors
though i do drive my 58 a lot over rough michigan roads

that may happen but that's one of the reasons I went with the paint I did so we'll have to see down the road. it's easy to fix and repair. take care!!

[OrrieG]

The old school body man I learned from said never run the plastic to the edge of a panel, always leave a little metal to act like a screed because it will take the abuse the plastic will not. These truck came with pretty large gaps from the factory to account for a lot of body and door movement.

[Coupeguy2001]

Gotta tell you, you did great work.
But,
Just to let you know, the door seals will flatten out in a few months, not totally, but will assume their new "squish".
On my 57, I had to ease the door striker adjustment for a while, and then return it to it's original position once the seals started to flatten a little.

Patience my man!!

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by Coupeguy2001

Gotta tell you, you did great work.
But,
Just to let you know, the door seals will flatten out in a few months, not totally, but will assume their new "squish".
On my 57, I had to ease the door striker adjustment for a while, and then return it to it's original position once the seals started to flatten a little.

Patience my man!!

Thanks Coupeguy, I do appreciate the heads up. I'll keep an eye on that. Wouldn't that be a nice problem to have!! Thank you