The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop suicide doors

My friend down the street came over today and asked if Him and I could suicide his doors this winter.He has a 49-3100 lots mods, small block,custom everything.Has anyone here done it and could you tell me what kit you used?He's real big in the local shows.

Pete

Don't think anyone has a kit for this. This kind of custom work is 1 off.
90% of the job is the hinges. The rear door pillar is too small and too weak for the job so it will have to be cut out and a new structure boxed in. Then choose or design a pair of hinges that allows the door to swing and clear the body.
Moving the latch to the front is easy in comparison.

Muscle Cars on Splke tv recently did a show on suicide doors on a 1950 Ford car,very informative. Shouldn't be to difficult to do. I have watched this show and others on the net for free.

I can't even take off a perfectly fitting stock mounted door, then reinstall it and line it back up in less than half a day.
Suicide door on an AD? Now that is suicide!
Carl

A quick google search showed tons of kits. When it comes to door hinges and latches, you seem to get what you pay for. The more expensive kits are usually easier to install, better thought out, and more durable. Here's a sampling, but search google. I'm not sure of either of your expertise level, so I will say please be aware that suicide door install, with or without a kit, is not a beginner job. And if you're able to do it successfully, make sure to install the safety pins on the doors so they can't open at speed.

Door Kit 1
Rocky Hinge
Air Bag It Kits
Thor Bros.
Hagan
Summit Racing

If my wife's suicide door flies open as I am going around a corner, will the door catch her, or will it just wedge her in and drag her down the road?
I guess I could try one on her side first and see how it works out.
Carl

That's why they make suicide locks, Carl

When I was in college my 1956 SAAB had suicide doors. The latch mechanism would freeze in a New England ice storm.
I installed screen door hook and eye latches inside for bad weather backup, never lost a girl friend on a tight turn.

Not one you didn't want to lose anyways, right?

Thanks,I've been away on vacation.I've seen most of the ones you listed 46gmcpu also looked at the autoloc sets the best one I could see was from door kit 1.That kit seems to include the most parts just for that truck.

Again Thanks,Pete

We have done a number of suicide doors, too darn many in my opinion, and if one can get only one tip it is this: run a rod through both the upper and lower hinge to tack them into place. This assures a nice free moving no bind door. The rod will be trapped in place but is then cut into short sections so it can be removed and regular hinge pins installed. Use the auxiliary locks and what we do on some (kids involved) is to run the ignition wire through push button switches mounted like courtesy light buttons so the doors have to be completely shut for the engine to start. One soon learns that opening the door kills the engine but worth it.

Thanks,Evan sounds like a good idea on the rod it would keep the hinges in line,no kids involved.He's been showing his truck for about 10 years now all local and always wanted his doors done so he asked me if we could do it over this winter in my garage.

Thanks, Pete

Anyone got any pics of a suicide door install on an AD?

Evan,what kit did You use?


Thanks,Pete

After looking at all the kits I bought the Autoloc set #393899. Going to start on it in about 2 or 3 weeks I'll take pictures during the build.

Pete

Pete,
Couldn't locate a photo of an AD but did find a 40 which has a cab of the same general shape. We often use Hagan Auto Parts for hinges and vent window eliminator kits.

http://s32.photobucket.com/user/coilover/media/StudeJustins40CougarCat004-1.jpg.html

Thanks,Evan looked thru the pics and saw a few suicide doors.

Pete

Got started, stripped the doors down but kept them on the the hinges for now later today going to start on the right door.I'm going to take alot of pics on this build .


Pete

Please do Pete. We want to hear all about it. Please be very adamant on taking pics of everything. Its not hard to stop every now and then and write down what you did. Its not something I would do with my truck, but that NEVER means its a bad idea. Keep us posted!

I smell a future tech tip!!!

First door is in and adjusted,today I'm going to work on the latch set. The instructions that came in the kit were not to good and it could be that I did not fully understand how they were going to work ,but the other side will go MUCH better. Turns out the door hinge pocket needs to be as deep as the door edge is long so it will clear the body ,the instructions state to keep the hinge pin 1 inch from the door jam not so it had to go one and a half inches deeper so as the door opens it will move away from the body to clear. Now I got it.

Pete

The door latch is in and the door is working great.Now I got to start on the other side but it's going well.I think I'll post some pics later this week.


Pete

Pete;

Hooah. Keep at it and keep us posted.

My secret wish for years has been to make a 'space cab' with my 49 3/4 ton chevy, affectionately known as Zip. The suicide 2nd door is half the size of the front door. I am getting to old to do it by now, I guess I would use lots of patch panels to get it. Has this been done yet?

So you want to make an extended cab with rear doors like a newer pickup.

I've seen several old trucks done this way, I don't know if any were 47-53 Chevy's, but I'm sure I've seen one at some time.

All done He took his truck home and is going to start on the body work ,both doors worked and are adjusted.The poppet door latches were installed and worked.Lots of fabrication lots of time.I'll post some pics later.


Pete

You've been promising us pictures for two weeks, we need pictures!

Here are some pics,forgot to take pics of the latches and the door poppets,but next time I go to his house I will.We did not reinstall the gas tank till we were done with the welding.

http://s559.photobucket.com/user/sparky52/library/finished%20truck/suicide%20doors

Pete

Thanks for sharing that Pete!