adamlinn13

I was going to get an inspection sticker for my 1984 Camaro and they told me right away that it wouldn't pass because of the rot on the bottom of my passenger-side door. I don't know how to fix it and my easiest alternative is to get another door. I went to a local junk yard and found a trans-am (at least it says trans-am on the side door) that looks like a third-gen Camaro/Firebird. I know that Firebird doors will fit on Camaros (I had to do it earlier this year for driver-side door) but will a trans-am door fit on a Camaro?

Not sure if I can use the passenger-side Firebird door since there's a dent in it and some rot on the bottom/inside of the door.

The alternative is to attempt to bondo the door and any other rot areas, just to get the sticker.



ANY help is greatly appreciated.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

I don't see why you couldn't. To my knowledge all those doors are the same and interchangeable.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Yes. Camaro & Firebird doors are a bolt-on swap. Just possible differences between the ground fx, manual vs power windows/locks/mirrors and the arm rests (GTAs had different arm rests but that is a simple fix).

Lakerman62

iTrader: (3)

wow, where do you live? Never heard of rusted doors being an inspection issue?!?!?!?

Restrorob

iTrader: (7)

Sounds like to me unless you can stick your head through it.....

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

Rot would be an issue if there is penetration into the cabin. Someone explained it to me once. It has to do with that pesky carbon-monoxide thing. Although, I don't get it. The thing that is called a window is above it, and Jeeps can remove their doors.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Jreeps have steel frames. F-bodies sheetmetal bodies are the frames. Take out a door & see how floppy the car becomes. Basically a piece of the "frame" has been removed. Jeeps remain stiff without their doors.

Barlow8869

iTrader: (1)

saw a gm guy talking in a video (about worn door hinges) about how important it is to have a well fitting door on the uni-body cars for structural support

timberjake

Cant the door be interchangeable ?

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Read everything in threads before you ask something. I already answered that in Post #3.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

The doors themselves are interchangeable. What you really need to be careful of is the holes for the GFX. I bought a door from a TA of some type, and the GFX holes were up above where the Camaro GFX would cover. Had to have my body guy weld up and fill where they were, then drilled new holes.

adamlinn13

I'm in Massachusetts and the bottom of the door is pretty much rotted through. The previous owners didn't take care of the car and I'm doing what I can to keep it on the road.

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

And they only failed for the door rot? Did they put it on a lift? If you're in mass and one dour is visibly rotted, I am certain there is much worse rot somewhere else. Don't want you to spend time finding a door just to then find out it won't pass because of the rotten floor boards, shock towers, radiator support and rear chassis.
Definitely get this car on a lift before you go any further.

adamlinn13

He walked out and said right away that it would fail because of the rot on the passenger-side door. He didn't jack it up or anything like that.

Yeah, there's rot in the spare-tire area (only visible if car is jacked up) and a couple spots on the driver-side rear tire well. I am afraid of that too, that it will cost more to fix it than the car is worth.

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

Ok, stop looking for a door, you have bigger problems.
First of all, the holes in the rear will fail you too. But again, I'm sure that's not all there is. Before you spend one dime of this car, get it up on a lift and I would also pull the carpets.
There are good third gen bodies in New England, but there are also many more rot boxes that are just parts cars. I'm certain yours is a parts car now. I know, I know, you can't accept that I can be so certain without seeing the car, but I promise you that car will never be legally on the road again. The sooner you accept it and find a better one, the happier you will be. Yes, anything is restorable, but you won't be doing the work yourself so it will cost way more than another body in good shape.

irocwagon

Times like this,glad we have no vehicle inspection here.we just put a bird door on a rs,yep gfx weren't happy

adamlinn13

In Mass, at least, cars considered antique (25+ years old) are exempt from the emissions part of inspection.

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

As Stealth said. I would not be worrying about that they dont have to check emissions. With the amount of rot, and in some important structural areas of your car, I would be worried to drive it and get in an accident. Your car might turn to dust. What rust cant you see?

adamlinn13

I'm not worried about the emissions. I will take and post pictures tonight of the rot areas.

nr82ta

have any of you guys tried the lower door skin replacement panel? I repaired the bottom of my door with my own patch but I want to know if the replacement lower door skin is any good?