Bottom door hinge - bottom tab angle to door?

[evan]

I'm starting bodywork on my '78 C10. The hinges (not just the bushings) were worn out so I bought replacements. The new ones don't have an angle on the bottom tab of the bottom hinge where it's supposed to attach to the door. Is it supposed to be bent to meet the door or did my original door and hinge bend that much over time?

In this picture the bottom hinge is bolted flat to the door jamb, the door is bolted flat to the top tab on the hinge and this is what the bottom tab of the hinge looks like at the door. I'm assuming there needs to be a bit of bend on the hinge tab but, on the other hand, it doesn't seem like there should be an indent in the door at that location.

[TKCR]

Mine was like that also. But your going to have to use spacers, so that bend isn’t going to matter.

[evan]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Mine was like that also. But your going to have to use spacers, so that bend isn’t going to matter.

Thanks. Where did you add spacers and what did you use?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by evan

Thanks. Where did you add spacers and what did you use?

I reused the spacers that were there from the factory. They go between the hinge and the door. I don’t think I have any pictures of them. But I can get some pics if you need.

[evan]

Originally Posted by TKCR

I reused the spacers that were there from the factory. They go between the hinge and the door. I don’t think I have any pictures of them. But I can get some pics if you need.

Interesting. My driver side didn't have any shims/spacers on either side of either hinge. It was just door directly on hinge and hinge directly on pillar. I haven't taken my passenger side off yet though.

Are they kind of like these from LMC?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by evan

Interesting. My driver side didn't have any shims/spacers on either side of either hinge. It was just door directly on hinge and hinge directly on pillar. I haven't taken my passenger side off yet though.

Are they kind of like these from LMC?

Yep looks like them.

[wazzabie]

I've only seen the spacers used for the fenders. Never from the factory have I seen spacers used for the door hinges.

[wazzabie]

Originally Posted by evan

I'm starting bodywork on my '78 C10. The hinges (not just the bushings) were worn out so I bought replacements. The new ones don't have an angle on the bottom tab of the bottom hinge where it's supposed to attach to the door. Is it supposed to be bent to meet the door or did my original door and hinge bend that much over time?

In this picture the bottom hinge is bolted flat to the door jamb, the door is bolted flat to the top tab on the hinge and this is what the bottom tab of the hinge looks like at the door. I'm assuming there needs to be a bit of bend on the hinge tab but, on the other hand, it doesn't seem like there should be an indent in the door at that location.

Why not rebuild your originals with new bushing and door pin?

[evan]

Originally Posted by wazzabie

Why not rebuild your originals with new bushing and door pin?

The bushing holes were wallowed out. It's my understanding new bushings can only help so much when the hole they're in is out of round.

[wazzabie]

Originally Posted by evan

The bushing holes were wallowed out. It's my understanding new bushings can only help so much when the hole they're in is out of round.

Maybe weld the holes and then re-drill. That might be better then trying to get the aftermarket to fit.

[wazzabie]

Originally Posted by evan

Interesting. My driver side didn't have any shims/spacers on either side of either hinge. It was just door directly on hinge and hinge directly on pillar. I haven't taken my passenger side off yet though.

Are they kind of like these from LMC?

Try to find OEM fender shims. They have a handle.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by evan

The bushing holes were wallowed out. It's my understanding new bushings can only help so much when the hole they're in is out of round.

Your right. It was best to replace the entire hinge, no harm in doing so. That’s exactly the reason why I replaced mine. I had the parts to just do the pins & bushings, and replace the S-spring. But I had one that was wallowed out, like yours. One hinge that was bent, and the drivers side S-spring, it upside down. So sometimes it’s just best to start all over.
Every truck is different. I have shims that were on the doors and fenders. When I replaced the hinges, I was hoping to not have to reuse the shims, but I did. I had to use them to help get the door fully aligned. And all that took time & patience.

[wazzabie]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Your right. It was best to replace the entire hinge, no harm in doing so. That’s exactly the reason why I replaced mine. I had the parts to just do the pins & bushings, and replace the S-spring. But I had one that was wallowed out, like yours. One hinge that was bent, and the drivers side S-spring, it upside down. So sometimes it’s just best to start all over.
Every truck is different. I have shims that were on the doors and fenders. When I replaced the hinges, I was hoping to not have to reuse the shims, but I did. I had to use them to help get the door fully aligned. And all that took time & patience.

Did you go with aftermarket hinges?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by wazzabie

Did you go with aftermarket hinges?

Got them from ClassicParts.

[44th Miss Inf]

Originally Posted by evan

The bushing holes were wallowed out. It's my understanding new bushings can only help so much when the hole they're in is out of round.

They make oversized bushings. Plus I’ve welded several up on the 88-98 body style, as those are welded to the body. Not that hard to do