I am building a mildly customized 50 Studebaker Business Coupe. Currently the body is channeled over a Chassisworks frame. I am working on bodywork on the doors and fenders right now. The doors have been shaved of all locks and hardware and I intend to install Large Bearclaw latches with remotes. I am contemplating installing Autoloc Suicide hinges (HDHINS). Can anyone who has done suicide doors provide me with hints and suggestions? Does the rear of the door need to be strengthed to support the havy door? At what point should the old hinge/latch holes be filled in? Anything else I should be aware of or avoid?
not only will you need to reinforce the rear of the door, you will need to reinforce the jamb. I used '72 chevy truck hinges. They're strong as hell and take a good beating. But with the weight of that door(glass, regulator(s), speaker, etc) your gonna need some strength. Good luck.
You may want to look into using suicidedoors.com hinges in lieu of the AutoLoc hinges. I used suicidedoors.com hinges on my 1991 Chevrolet S-10 pickup and they worked great. As far as strengthening, we reinforced both the jamb and the door. If you don't place some serious reinforcing in both the jamb and the door you will be extremely sorry. Suicide door safety latches are also an extremely wise investment.
Also the top hinge needs to have a step in it so the glass will clear going down. Some kits just have hinges that will end up right in the middle of your window chanel
Also, be thinking about how you want your door to swing. Into the jamb or out. and either way, make sure it doesn't pinch your moldings! Oh the fun you're gonna have! and I second DropMod's advise on safety latches(pins).....spend the time and money on them.
I did this shit back in the 80 I lost count how many times my door popped open!! I will never do this again. My 2 cents
this is a duplicate post.. pick one and than kill the other one http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433161
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