I'm working to get my door gaps and alignment looking good but don't quite know how to attack one significant problem. The p***enger door fits good at the top and bottom but sticks out between the upper and lower hinges (this is a 5-window original body car), pictures attached. I have measured both sides and it appears to be the door, not the cowl, and the p***enger door does have more of an arch in it than the driver door which is producing the misalignment. If I try moving the door in to match the cowl it hits on the top and won't close properly. One important point is that this car has been chopped 4" so many things have changed in both the A-pillar and the door frame. This was done before I purchased the body and ch***is. I'm looking for suggestions from anyone experienced in repairing this type of misalignment and appreciate your feedback. My only thought right now is to cut the door vertically between the hinges on the end of the door (where it faces the A-pillar) so I can pull it in the necessary amount and reweld it. I have no experience with that so I need some guidance. Thank you!
Doors are like houses you build them from the base plate up. Get the door cap at the rocker panel and shim the body to get the alignment. A shim under the B pillar will raise the front of the door up. As long as you have a good gap on the 1/4 to the door you should be able to use shims between the body and frame to get the lines you are after.
It sounds like you are saying the door is bent outward in the middle, or inward at the top and/or bottom. Maybe when it was chopped it was welded back together just a little off. If so, maybe cut and re-weld it.
If you can make the middle of the door fit by moving it in, but the top hits. Move the top out. Old body men hated to have the customer around during these manipulations. Many times involved a BFH and a 2X4. First putthe 2X4 in the upper door gap and force the door close. Might need the use of the hammer, place the 2X4 against the inner upper door and hammer out. The door should have been fit better before welding the chop.
Sounds like when it was chopped the door top was leaned in too much. You may need to cut and reweld it.
The belt line looks low on the door as well. That’s adjusted at the cowl foot and creative shim work. If out to far in the middle then it’s a chop or body damage issue.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate your feedback on this. I'm going to see how close I can get it in the middle and then likely cut the door frame and move it out slightly. It makes sense that it is most likely something that was done during the chop process. At least I know know not to "slice" the door to pull the outer panel in . I would probably just create bigger problems. I don't think shimming is my problem just because where the body line is off (top to bottom), I would need to move/adjust the hinges, which I will do as needed. Thanks again!!!
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