The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts How to close doors?

Just got the doors and windows all done, and mounted on my bigbolt. How did GM intend for you to close the doors from the inside, with the windows up, when armrests were deleted? Roll the window down every time?

guess you've discovered why most of the door or window handles on these old trucks are toasted .... doubt GM had any 'intentions' other than making everything possible an extra cost option - install some armrests

Bill

In Alabama, you can tell the trucks that did not have the interior arm-rests/door-closers: when you drive with the windows open, you close the door by grabbing the door in the middle of the lower window opening (look for paint worn off that area of interior/exterior window surrounds/reveals in southern trucks).

Paint wears off from riding with your arm in the window opening, no air conditioning... I've done it, it'll get nice and polished.

Yep, I already noticed the wear/rust on the lower window opening, and the toasted door handle.
Good thing I saved the scrap material from having the seat covered. I can use it on some armrests.
I already have my panels painted 2-tone. Will I have to find different panels that came with armrests?
How are they secured to the panel?

the armrests mount screws go thru to the door shell, you'll need to drill the panels to attach the armrests to existing weldnuts behind it - if you get new repro ones they usually come with a template to position the holes

Bill

Oh. So my shell will have existing weld nuts in it?
I did not notice when painting it.
This is such fun. You squeeze in the small door opening (on an LCF) you get your butt situated on the seat, so the big steering wheel don't rub your belly, then you notice you have nothing to close the door with.
I think this is great! The young generation would never believe you could buy a truck with no armrests, passenger sunvisor, rear view mirror, radio, signal lights, cig lighter, or heater.

Don't forget the power windows and door locks!

Or power brakes, power steering, a/c, passenger side wiper...

Back then trucks were steel and men were men.

Or second tail light ...

Or a second windshield wiper.....

All this makes me remember as a kid in the early 50's, I would read the used car ads, and they made a big thing, by saying it has a "radio & heater".
I don't mean to get off topic here, but there is more to owning an antique stovebolt than just the truck. It's the stories and a way of life that is gone forever.