Hello all, I am currently trying to build a 1938 ford truck and it is kicking my a$$. I am in over my head but learning everyday. Any advice or shops in the area that might want some work let me know. Thanks for taking the time to read.
What is it that you don't know how to do. try reading as much as you can here and asking pertinent questions. maybe you can learn to do everythingtat doesn't require more tools than are within your grasp.
Do a specific-key word search,(In the upper left corner) good luck! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/faq.php http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185601
Thanks for the advice. The doors are not lining up right. Very hard to shut. I know it is a 38 and they are "door slammers' but mine is really hard. This is the part that scares me the most.
I would check the latches first,if they're OK --then the cab is probably not square,check the gap between the doors & body,(Old age everything sags)if they're off canter then take the cab loose & square it up then try to shout the doors,did you weld anything in or on the cab? floors/rockers if so you might have cut em loose first? you must have the right body mounts installed first before welding everything up again.
I am located in Camden NC. I did weld the floor pan in and was thinking that was the problem. I bought the truck cab chopped(not a very good job, but I didnt know better). I will take the cab back off and cut the floor pan and square it up. I am still looking for a shop or individuals near by that want to make a few dollars either helping or getting me past this step. Thanks to all for the quick responses. I may get through this after all.
these trucks are NOT 'doorslammers'!! The doors on the 39 Ford pickup that I have driven every day for 17 years close with a very nice click click with pressure applied with two fingers. Look at the latch, maybe mark the door jambs with chalk and align the door with the body
The door alignment is the part that i am stuck on. I have very little, ok no, expierence with body work. I know the "guide" hits a little below the notch then has to lift its way into the slot. I guess I will have to take it back off the frame and cut the floor pan push it out and reweld. If there is anyone in the local area that wants the work, let me know.
OK.....STOP-- check the gaps around the doors first! if their ok,then the striker or pin will need adjustment are you door hinges good?(no slop or droop),if ya have to cut the floor you may be able to get away with just some relief cuts,but do slowly (1 cut at time)with body mounts in place..
Do you have pictures of what going on with your build? it would be easier to see what happening instead of guessing,i know your frustrated & you wanna get it done but you could be hurting it instead of helping-chuck (Trust me been there & did that!& didn't get a T-shirt either )
There are WAY too many factors pertaining to why your doors don't close well. I've always found that alot of 30's cabs are racked and that needs to be addressed before anything INCLUDING body mods such as chopping. If it is a bit racked even a little bit by chopping and welding it back together has locked it into things not aligning (doors not shutting correctly). The only advice is to take your time and do things correctly before taking the next step or it'll come back to bite you as you can already see. The plus side is that once you have corrected your cab everything will seem to become easier as your knowledge of what to look for and remedying it becomes second nature.
Thanks for the advice. i will get some pictures taken tomorrow. The door alignment is off. Bottom rear (drivers side) is rubbing while bottom front is gapped. Like I said I will get pictures out and stop for the day. i am getting tired and will probable make it a whole lot worse if I keep going.
Picture attached. Sorry for the long delay, I dont have a camera. any help would be greatly appreciated.
If your hinges are in sound condition then most of you alignment issues can be corrected by shimming your body mounting points. For example , if your hinges are tight , good pins , and your door is too low at the rear then shimming the cowl up will raise the door. You'll be amazed what you can do by shimming the body mounts. There was little to no adjustment built into the doors / hinges. Get ya some body shims. Study your door gaps. Shim accordingly. Remove your dovetails and latches and make it fit the opening.then reinstall the dovetails and latches and adjust. Do this before you start cutting floors. Best of luck. RS59
Sorry but confused by what you mesn. My body mounts to the frame? i am new to this. The hinges are tight and there is NO play in them. as you can see in the pics, the door gap is tight at the bottom back and open around.
Yeah they mount to the frame. Probably two mounts in front of the door. Under the cowl. And another near cab corner area. I'm guessing. Look underneath. You should be able to find them
your cab mounts on a piece of angled wood (oak) your toe boards are steel but your floor boards are wood. your truck has a 39 grille and hood latch.
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