New to older cars/trks ( pre-65) and would like opinions on what is acceptable for door gaps on kustoms and rat rods? I have yrs of experience in late model collision repair, but realize those tollerances are not realistic for the average rat rod. Also know what I see on 'show cars' and that is sometimes scary.
Uh oh! He said the "R" word! Better get back in there and edit your post before it becomes hard to sit on your freshly reamed bung hole. This is why they suggest in the beginning to lurk for a while before posting. As for the door gaps, go for the best job you can possibly do. 3/16" all the way around would be ideal. Don't settle for what is acceptable on a *cough* "R" rod. Be better than that.
If you are doing a R?? Rod you can over lap 2" or have a 2" gap, workmanship or safety is not important. On this sight things are done with pride and style.
What is it? A general lack of respect? Ignorance? Dare I say stupidity? But they keep joining up thinking we are all Rat Rod builders! Just sickening.
Non of the above. I have a great amount of respect for what everybody strives for, other wise would not be here. Craftsmanship is what I am striving for as well, whatever way you want to describe the project as. Respect all around will only educate and continue the true meaning of the traditional hot rod.
WTF? Then why call it a rat rod? There is no bigger insult to a traditional car. Dude, spend a few months reading only. Then start asking, IF you are in the right place.
get serious, when are you guys going to realise that RAT ROD is not some terrible insult. you act like someone just called your sister a ****, get over it.
3/16" coupes and sedans, 1/4" roadsters ( fingers pinched in door gap, not good! ). rat was probably not the right word to use. lots of people on here that have nothing better to do than bash on others. long as your bumping metal around on something old, i've got no problem. don't take the ***holes on here personal, their actually trying to help in their own SPECIAL WAY.
You can call my sister what ever the hell you want, you need her phone number? I care, I have pride in my cars. Tradition is something few people seem to understand fully these days. Ther are 4 things I will stand up for these days. My Service. My Mates. My Country, and The pride I have in my TRADITIONAL car. Lame? Yeah probably, but I spent enough time upholding others ideals at gunpoint that Im going to uphold mine now. Doc.
Tradtional cars,3/16" all around, Customs 3/16"-1/4" all around, Rat Rods 1/2" at the front of the door, 2 1/4" at the bottom, 1/32" at the top of the rear edge, 3/4" at the bottom rear edge. These are standard gaps adhered to by most!!!
I keep it simple. First would be is the gap the same all the way around. Sometimes thats as good as it gets. Second would be, hey look, the door closes and latches which for us safety nuts--its the cats ****. The gap may be a little more or less each way. Then you paint the car a dark color and no one notices.
From the ones I have seen there is no "acceptable door gap" they either weld them up to keep the door on the car or overlap them to run a threw bolt.
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