The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Lower Hinge Cover

Hello all,
I have a 1950 Chevy 3100 pickup and on the inside of the door there is a lower hinge cover. I am wondering if there is a left and right for this part. I have 3 that have an L on them and it looks like they should not be identical L to R. I cannot find one that has an R in the parts I have. If someone has an extra R cover would they want to trade?

Thanks, Jerry

Yes, they are stamped "L" or "R"..

If you enlarge the center hole slightly, they will fit either side. And since you live thousands of miles from Jarvisburg, NC, no one will ever know the difference.

Is the L or R on the outer side (viewable from inside the cab)?

Can you post a photo? Thanks

1954/55st are somehow/someway different from 47-53.
Master Parts Catalog
Does anyone know how they differ?

I have one 1953 driver's side hinge cover and three 1954 hinge covers (one driver's side and two passenger sides). Each shape, 53 to 54, appears to be the same with the exception of the intentions in the panels for the fasteners. The 53 panel uses machine screws with a larger head and the 54 panels are attached with smaller head sheet metal screws. Therefore, the recesses in the panels for the fasteners are less on the 54 panels and greater on the 53 panels. As for the fit, left to right, I tried placing the incorrect side of one of the panels on a door and while it may fasten with some massaging of the holes, I found that the reveal on the hinge side would be incorrect. However, you may be able to make the reveal and the hole(s) work with a little sheet metal work.

Thanks for the clear report, SmithLakeChevy. YOu have refreshed my dimming memory.

If there a R or L marking on any/all of the panels?
If yes, where are they?

Tim,

I found no stamps or metal intentions on the panels. If the stamps were in ink, the ink may have come off when I soaked them in evapo-rust.

Maybe Jerry M. can expound on this.

One thing is for sure, the panels are slightly different.

I thought about the terminology I used or "reveal" last night. Clear to me be maybe not so clear for everyone else. In other words the panel would not fit down into the door recess correctly and overlapped onto the upper part of the door. This created an odd look between the outer door edge and the hinge panel.

My panels actually have an R and an L stamped into the inside of each. Still visible after blasting and painting. John

Thanks, Johnny N
1949 1-ton wheels (presumably)

Each stamp must not have been deep/hard enough to show through to the outer surface?

What I find a little confusing is why GM would make 2 different panels at the factory. One would think they would have designed them to be interchangeable. side to side

Here is a picture with the panel on the driver door. There is a slight curve coming down the front edge of the door and putting it on the other side will go on, but not fit right. If anyone has a spare R I would like to trade an L.

Jerry

You can actually see the “L” in your picture. I will check again but I saw no stamping on mine last night.

I only have the 1953 left side hinge panel and the others are 1954.

You may want to try posting in the “Truck Parts Wanted” forum.

Good luck with your project.

I checked my panels again this evening and you are correct, they are stamped "L" and "R". I guess it helped knowing where to look. My good panels still have the original paint along with some other colors that made it a little hard to find. The stamping on the other two panels is very light and you could barely make out the stamping, even knowing where to look. One thing that I noticed is that the "L" is on the right side of the center hole and the "R" is on the left side of the center hole.

I am always learning something on this site.

Thanks

....my panel had mismatched doors when I got it....so I got two from Utah. They looked the same and I didn't notice the difference until i bought new screws for both sides....you guessed it, big screw vs little screw. Well, I "adjusted" and moved on. The new owner of my panel will probably never know the difference!!

I wonder if they did that at the factory as well?? Maybe that is why my truck had L's on both doors.

Jerry,
did you get the Right panel or are you using the ones you have?

I cleaned up a second left one, but still do not have a right(R) one. I am still a ways away from putting the interior together, so I hope someone has a spare R.

Jerry

Jerry,
Check your PM.
I found a Right in my stash of parts.
Todd