THESE DOORS SUCK BAD!!!!!! Put the new passenger side door hinges on and got the door aligned close to where it would close decently. I then put the new door weatherstrip on and the back of the door below the door handle is not going in far enough. Does the weatherstrip need to break in and relax a little or is there another adjustment to get the bottom to pull in??
The door latches was probably readjusted some time ago after the weatherseal flattened out. You should check that out. BTW, who needs weatherstripping anyway in AZ, unless you are trying to keep spiders out which tend to be big and fuzzy there
I have adjusted the striker plates but its not made a difference. I will continue to mess with them until they take. Your probably right about needing this anyways. I am just thinking when I put in the AC unit it would be nice to have it actually cool the cab down!!!
Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it. Maybe she will run someday! Too funny! The passenger door is on but not right. The drivers door is on and NOT EVEN CLOSE at this point. I think the heat has me damn near crazy cause a set of $350 Bear Claw latches don't even sound unreasonable at this point Anyone else heading out to Brothers Truck show in Anaheim on July 8th? We are heading out Sat to check things out, can't wait.
My frustration is the drivers side cab is a little tweaked, but I can fix that. Did you replace your door seals? If so where did you buy them and how did they affect the doors closing? Thanks young buck!
Hi Not sure if this helps, here is a pic of my pulley setup, I got them from Street and performance, it is possible to go with a serpentine system which I think is stronger and because they are wider allow you run with less tension, therefore load on your bearings etc. I have used Aeroquip hoses and fittings they also do a series of cool fuel filters which fit inline on the supply to the carb. This stuff lasts a lifetime and looks good too. All rubber will perish eventually...
Where did you get the A/C unit? Is it aftermarket or an old system from something else? I'm thinking about cobbling together a system from various parts I have that are functional, but I would be opposed to buying a new system if I didn't have to donate a lung or limb to afford it.
The doors are a pain. One common problem is the lower hinge mounting surface on the door, it breaks and needs to be repaired on most doors. you can add a plate over the hinge, like the top hinge has, it helps a lot. You might need to elongate the holes so you can move the hinge in or out (side to side) on the door jamb. And yeah, the weatherstrip changes everything. And for the jokers, yeah, it's needed in AZ to keep the doors from rattling with the nice "smooth" roads we have.
Yea that would do it. I haven't got my seals yet but I'll probably buy them from Classic Trucks. Like Squirrel said too the bottom mounting surface usually breaks, mine were all cracked.
Don't feel too bad sqrints, you haven't seen my "hinge pockets" yet! Talk about cracked / rusted out! I am going to have to cut out all that stuff and weld in new patch panels. Illinois winters and such have destroyed most of the lower parts of the cab. BTW, my doors probably suck way more than yours do too. It will all be worth it when the truck is "done" (whatever that means)! Hang in there.
I know I whine when theres a quarter sized rust hole somewhere! hahaha guess I shouldn't compared to what you guys back east deal with!
Decided to weld up the step notch kit because I am tired of dealing with doors and weatherstrip! Also realized the radiator that I traveled to Yuma to to get will not work in the truck. Its for a 55-59 car I believe. Its too wide, bummer. Was just screwing around with my new camera phone software on this one.
I got a rear bumper, and I thought this was pretty centered until I looked online and saw it was upside down!!!!!! Should I buy used/repop bumper brackets or just knock out my own? And a Kawi Z1 that makes me feel all funny inside...
ahhhhh Jim, you have yet to meet my friend "Magneto"!!!! What about welding some up? They probably wouldn't spring like the originals but they would certainly be cheaper and really put a job on a Civic fender!!! Ok, the bumper propped up properly.........with bailing wire.
sqrlnts, here is an example of what my "hinge pockets" look like at present. I can't imagine how bad the doors are until I start grinding out the gobs of old bondo! We are talking about major surgery on the old truck, but I am committed now to do it. Maybe I should just be committed myself? Getting better every day, actually.
If you can cut them from 1/4" or 5/16" steel plate, you could probably make them yourself no problem. I might be able to trace the inner bracket on my fleetside to make a pattern for you. They drop down, that's the tricky part, otherwise you could use 2" wide strap. http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-Bumper-Brackets-Rear-Stepside/productinfo/65-326/
Whoahhh, I don't feel so bad anymore thanks! For $60, I think I will just buy em, thanks for the offer though!
Those aren't really period, because someone stole the springs out of them and put those funky wheels on them. Also in the old days those trucks were almost new, and just had the good condition original paint on them. So...find a nice completely original restored 59 truck if you want to see something "period" edit: oh, I misread, you said period as the end of the sentence. My mistake.
Just sold the unfit radiator and purchased a chineasy one off ebay. I know, I know, but all the reviews for it are good to go. Also just installed a window ac unit in the garage, waiting to see if its going to cut the mustard.
Wow Sierria Vista must be the only place in the nation not under a heat warning. Little ac unit actually took 14 degrees off the garage temp, I'll take it!
Need to shorten the step notchs' by about 2", might also have to raise the bed floor by a bit to gain some more differential clearance, not sure on this yet..... Another nice thing is I can now brace from one step notch to the other and can also mount my rear shocks on the notch side plates. I can live with this rear stance as long as the gas tank doesn't drag, all depends on how the front lands. Of course I say that now!!! Hahaha HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!