How to Add a Door?

I stumbled onto a post recently describing how to add a door to a solid body. I stupidly neglected to bookmark the page. I think the post was by Ted, and it showed adding hinges and bracing before cutting out the door opening. Anyone know where this is located, or alternately, any other good write-ups on adding a door from scratch?

Jack

 

I have some scans from a 1966 Hot Rod Mag article by Tex Smith and George Barris showing how to do some simple doors in a glass T body. See the attached link to my photobucket album:
http://s985.photobucket.com/user/btgriffin/library/T Bucket Doors

 

Ron Pope did one some time ago. He made he frame and door work, then glassed the whole thing in then cut out the glass. Genius to me. Contact him to see if he still has the link. John

 

Ron did the best system I've ever seen.

 

I found the thread I was thinking about. It was posted by Ron at NTBA. During the search, I discovered the same thread also exists here on these forums. Thanks for the JPGs Ben. Those three pages are very informative.

 

ben, how do you print out those pages on photobucket?

 

Yes, it is.

Sorry, but those posts are not going to be available.

 

Mike did I mess up?

 

Mike- this is why I linked it to my photonucket acct and did not post it. Is this kosher?

 

Same Ron.....Probably....

 

Absolutely! You done good. And I appreciate it.

 

Yeah, we cannot post pages from a magazine, without permission.

 

Sorry it won't happen again

 

I'm about to install a top on my bucket (purchased the soft top kit from Spirit). The more I look at this, the more I realize how important it will be to have a passenger-side door as soon as possible. What I don't quite understand yet is what the advantage would be to buying a kit from Speedway (comes with door, hinges and latches) instead of cutting a door out of the body, using Model T-style triangular hinges, and buying latches. If I wait until next spring to do this, I'll probably just pay someone to do the bodywork. However, if it turns out that I need to do it sooner, I might tackle it myself. I don't mind driving the car a short while with it looking "under construction," but I'm not sure which approach has the best chance of success as a home shop project.

Here's the link to the DIY thread I found earlier:

http://www.nationaltbucketalliance.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1088&hilit=doors?

And here's the Speedway package:

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1923-1925-Model-T-Optional-Door-Kits,1422.html

Any and all advice will be appreciated!

Jack

 

Jack I cut a door in my bucket last year. It was not as long as the one Ron shows just used the raised outline on the body as a reference to make the cut. Two things I did not do before I made the cut were; I did not reinforce the body just behind the door, not much there and it will move also did not build up the door panel first. Once it is cut out it will distort slightly and be a bear to get back into shape. Learned a lot when I did mine and would follow these steps first. It sure does make getting in and out easier with a top on.

 

Thanks, that's a good tip. I also read somewhere that the hinges should be mounted before cutting out the door. I guess I still don't understand the purpose of the Speedway kit. If the door can be made by cutting it out of the existing body, why would someone buy a kit that includes a door?

Jack

 

When you get your body already with a door, the door and body have a reinforced lip about 2"s around the door and body for support already. If you cut it out yourself you have to reinforce door and body before you can cut it out. Just keeps you from having to do a lot of fitment yourself. Although the way Ron did it makes it look easier than a prefab door! By the time you cut the door out, the hard stuff is done and perfectly aligned.

 

What is the reinforcement made of? Is it a metal or wood frame that's embedded in the body, or is it just a built-up area of fiberglass? Anyone have a photo of this reinforcement they could post? It would really help to see what it looks like on the inside of the body.

Jack

 

This is the way the stretch body from RPM comes and I think they are all pretty much the same. This one comes with just a skin on the inside of the door frame you have to cut out when you hang your door. It just helps keep the body from tweeting and gives it temporary support till your body is bolted down, then you can hang the door. It is JUST a fiberglass lip around the door and the door frame. This lip that comes when you get a body with a door, and I don't think it would not be an easy piece to duplicate without some good skills. IMHO. With that said, I like the way Ron did his because when you cut the door out, it's ready to shut and latch! But you have a lot of "finish" work to do to make it look all purdy'. You are just paying a little moor for the convenience of having a lot of the work done for you with a prefab door. I'm no body man nor a great fiberglass guy, so I was happy to spend a little more. I would have been happy with NO DOORS AT ALL! The wife is 4'10" and INSISTED she have a door!