Door measurement

[bretto]

I have got hinges on.  They don't have the cool 4 spot weld dimples but they are solid.  Thanks for all your help.  Now on with the door project.........

[athawk11]

Bretto,

Those look great.  Nice plug welds. 

If you want to give it the official look with the 4 little dimples, you could fake us out by drilling 4 small 1/6" holes.  No one would ever know.

Tim
   

[bretto]

Sometimes my ambition gets ahead of me.  "This will only take a few hours".  Started at 8am just got done at 6pm.  Had to tweak the heck out of the frames this way and that before I got them just right.  I don't really see how anyone or company can make certain parts (door frames).  Too many factors to be lucky enough to just have them fit right in.  I think they fit pretty good now.  I was able to use my new bender for the 1st time in making new upper hinge pins.  This is as good as its going to get in my garage.

Ready for canvas......I think.













Parts waiting to be installed.

[1955CJ-5]

Those look great!!

I had to do some considerable "tweaking" to the frames I bought from Beachwood....

I really think they were designed to allow fitting(bending) to each individual jeep, as they all would have been a little different.

Nicely done!

[bretto]

Bent me out another set of frames copied from the ones I got.

I kind of did this just to see how hard it may be and to use my bender.  It wasn't too bad.  The hardest part was actually making the bracket the handles attaches to.  I wish I had another CJ around to see how well these would fit.  From twisted window frames, bent mounts, crooked tubs....etc, I'm sure, across the board, there would have to be some tweaking done from one Jeep to the next.  It's really not that hard to bend to fit though.

I think I could bust out a few more someone was interested.  One would have to supply their own handles and escutcheons.  I got mine from Midwest Military.  I don't have the means to make those plates.  I would be able muddle thru making handles but don't really want to.

[bretto]

Here's the progress thus far.  Instead of using the pricey common sense fasteners, I opted to just use some snaps.  I now have to work on the handle detail. 
There is a great sense of accomplishment in doing stuff yourself but with that, let it be know that the price you pay for someone else making these door skins is a bargain.

















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[Kirkski]

Really nice work

[athawk11]

You've done some very nice work there.  Of course, I would expect nothing less from you at this point.

Beautiful!

Tim

[bretto]

Doors project completed.
Although they look good, I have to admit, I am not a big fan of them as it really closes things up.  There are a lot of blind spots and driving with them on in today' traffic is an adventure.  No wind is nice but I was actually getting hot and wish I had a vent of sorts.  Its the season though to having them off, just had to try them out.

Here are some pics of the handles.  I ended up not using the handles I bought from MWM and used stock ones (on the exterior), made the interior ones and the striker plates.  I still don't know how the the stock set-up ever works.  Its seems everything is too thick for the stock distance between the handles.  By the time I had all the plates on and the fabric, there was no way that pin was going to reach between the handles.  I also welded about a 3/4" of tube to the door frame bracket as a bushing for the handle connection.  I then used carriage bolt for the connecting pin, that's the head you see on the exterior.  Then I have fiber washers between everything, its really smooth and firm.

[PhilipS]

I am having a devil of a time finding doors frames for my M38. I was wondering if someone out there could trace a left and right door frame on a large piece of paper and send it to me so I could maybe make my own. i some one would do this let me know and I will give you my address. Much thanks.