The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop !@#$% SPEAKER HOLES IN DOOR !!

The PO of my '50 3100 ruined the doors by putting in the typical speaker holes on the inside
panel as shown here. I do not want to put a radio in and cannot stand these holes. What
options (besides trying to find other 50 doors) do I have. What has anyone else done ???

[img]http://www.cmaynard.com/speakerhole.jpg[/img]

Why not just replace the door panel instead of the whole door?

Relax its not that bad. I would cut a section out of a junk door and weld it in. Can you do alittle welding? I might have a door for parts. How big is the hole?

Slowrider, that is part of the door. Looks like they did a good job, at least they did not use a chisel!!!

I'll measure the holes when I get home. I believe around 4" dia. Zero welding experience, thus I would need to find someone with some scrapped doors but with good inside panels that they'd be willing to cut out.

Can anyone out there help ?

I would then try to find a local body person. Are there any articles published on how others have done this ???

Thanks

What's another shame is that I have a perfectly conditioned set of '53 doors (same color outside), but it would not be right to put '53 doors on a '50.

argh ! :mad:

If you look closely at the pic you can see the clutch head srews that hold the pannel on.Ihave had the pannels off on my 51 to replace the windows.

I think Slow Rider meant the access panels at the very bottom. Metal Man, Sounds like all I can do is find a scrap door that has a good inner panel. Will post a "wanted" ad in the swap meet section.

Thanks

Metal Man,
How would the welder support the patch piece in proper location since we wouldn't be cutting out the panel ? Hmmmmmm. Might need a beer just to figure this one out.

All you need is one door. You can easily get two patches out of one. First you could give someone the rough dimensions and they could ship you a larger panel that would include enough material to cut those two patches. Someone could easily torch out this section and UPS it for about $5 shipping.

I know because I got a new hinge through UPS today from one of our forum parts hounds. I had to laugh because not only did I receive the hinge but also the metal of the door and door frame where the bolts are attached. Instead of messing with rusty bolts he just torched around the hinge leaving chunks of door and frame metal.

Very funny.

Metal man, i wish i had my 51 here, so i could take a pic to show you, unfortanetly its being stored at my dads.Again i ask to look at the pic and you can see the screws that hold the panel in place.Ihave also removed it from a door with out the vent window like my 51 has
to remove the door hinge from that door to put in my 51.Heres a pic of my 51 in my dads driveway. [img]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid28/pf6958b8f8fad2960c7fd10b979329ea4/fdf92efb.jpg[/img]

Slow Rider, the only screws are those that hold the lower access panel. The main inside panel (where the speaker holes are), are part of the door frame (welded probably). Just like my '53 doors.

I need to find someone willing to cut out a large section of a scrap door.

The search goes on............

Heres the deal.My 51 was my first vehicle purchaced back in 1976.It was parked in my dads garage sinse 1979.It finaly came out of the garage this fall.Iwas running on memory as its benn sinse then that i worked on this truck The pic i posted was taken at chrismas this year.I found some litereture with a pic and Yes im wrong.I was thinking of the lower hinge pannel and the upper regulator pannel I sincerely apolagise for my mistake.Iwas only trying to help.If the memory isnt the first to go then i wonder what else im missing?...Ron

No big deal Slow Rider. I am wrong about stuff all the time (just ask the wife)

Contact mothertrucker through this forum. He has lots of sheetmetal and willing to UPS.

(Also, I happen to know he has a torch....)

Torch is hot & ready to go. Where should I start cuttin these doors at???

cmayna, Don't know about taking two six packs with you, if guy doing welding consumes that much he might not be able to find hole to patch

Boy,
All you guys are have just too much fun....... MotherTrucker and I are chatting about cutting a couple big pieces. Should have things wrapped up shortly. Slow Rider, glad we were able to help you with the misunderstanding. If I had a nickle for each time I made a mistake....Move over Bill Gates......

Tony, Sometime I'm going to make a road trip to Walnut Creek, or isn't there a chevy swap meet at Pleasanton fairgrounds once a year ? We can always meet there.

Craig

Yes I am going to go for sure, think it is in March.

I made patch panels for my doors that looked just like yours. Used an old pushrod as a "die" to form the bead. I had to use a couple screws on the upper portion (clamps from the access hole, lower) to hold it place while I tacked it. It was an easy panel to make, and you can't tell it was patched.

I welded in a piece of metal for a patch and then did the bodywork. Mine was difficult because if you look closely the speaker hole was cut into both grooves.

[img]http://12.246.65.154/~kevmor/adtrucks/images/beforeafterdoor.jpg[/img]

(I know its a different door, both doors had the hole cut in the same exact spot.)

cmayna, I have several doors in different need of repair and I am sure I can fix you up with what you need and I don't even drink beer:D. Give me an email and we can set up what you need. I live in Alameda and close to Pleasanton. I can probably cut out one door and send you enough material for both doors. .............g

Kevmor99 - I'm jelous !!!

Hey GM,
I already have ordered a big chunk of inner door panel from MotherTrucker. It should be here by end of the week. But I have no idea who would be a good person I could take it to for the actual welding. Do you weld ? Interested ? If not, can you recommend someone ?

Thanks
Craig

Craig, I am also about ready for a welder. My list of welding jobs is very long. Three of my fenders have a tear, my front grill has a small tear, my hood corner could use a touch up, my tailgate sides are loose and the holes in the side of the bed where the PO drilled out the welds for the side strips.

I found a mobile welder over here in Pittsburg that was advertised on some classic car website. I haven't talked to him yet, wanted to be ready first, but it might almost be worth it to drive over here the day I have my welding done. I think we are about 90 minutes apart.

If you find someone else let me know since I haven't talked to this guy yet.

P.S. GM, if you could do our welding that would be great. We could come over and Craig and I will just have to drink the beer.

Welding on Tony and Craig's trucks sponsored by Steelhead Brewing Co.

I am lucky! My brother is welding my CE (and doing a **** good job too!) I think teaming up with someone who is already paying a welder is a good idea. It might be worth the trip for you to get this done. Good luck! ..................g