Body General body information and techniques for restoration, repairs, and modifications.

Fix this or replace the door?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-28-2016, 07:58 PM
  #1  
TGO Supporter

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
omnipotentgoku's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 2,480
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1987 IROC Z
Engine: 350 TPI L98 block
Transmission: 700R4
Fix this or replace the door?

Hey guys it's been a long time but I'm getting my IROC back in order. Some years ago someone broke into my car and in the process they bent the outer door skin on the passenger side. Since then rolling up my window will not follow the guides and will end up outside the t-top. I don't know much about body work and I'm trying to figure out whether this can be fixed or if I should just look for a replacement door at a boneyard?

a bone yard


Old 07-28-2016, 08:09 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (58)
 
Drew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Salina, KS
Posts: 20,309
Received 1,052 Likes on 748 Posts
Re: Fix this or replace the door?

Do a search, or pull out the GM Service Manual. Look for the process to adjust the windows. Get the window adjusted right, then tackle the wrinkled door skin. Chances are it looks worse than it really is. Not like you have anything to lose, since your alternate plan is replacing the door, in which case you'll probably have to adjust the window in the new door anyway.
Old 07-29-2016, 12:00 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (15)
 
Tibo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Desert
Posts: 5,025
Received 76 Likes on 66 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Fix this or replace the door?

If you admit that you don't know much about body work I would just get a door from a yard. That will be enough of a learning experience to start with. You'll learn how to remove/install a door. You'll be able to sand the door, apply filler for small dents, prep the door for paint and bring it to a body shop for paint (If you don't have a decent air compressor and $15 harbor freight HVLP gun). You may have to adjust the glass and you may not.
Old 07-29-2016, 02:32 PM
  #4  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (9)
 
84 1LE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oyth
Posts: 6,181
Received 316 Likes on 259 Posts
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Fix this or replace the door?

It's not badly damaged it can't be fixed, but for the amount of time itll take to fix.About the same amount of time will be required to replace.There's a brace that runs the length of the door along the top which would probably hinder repairs a bit.I'd look for a nice cherry door that maybe just needs paint as my least hassle option.

Nice to see you back in the game btw.
Old 07-29-2016, 11:47 PM
  #5  
TGO Supporter

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
omnipotentgoku's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 2,480
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1987 IROC Z
Engine: 350 TPI L98 block
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Fix this or replace the door?

Originally Posted by 84 1LE
It's not badly damaged it can't be fixed, but for the amount of time itll take to fix.About the same amount of time will be required to replace.There's a brace that runs the length of the door along the top which would probably hinder repairs a bit.I'd look for a nice cherry door that maybe just needs paint as my least hassle option.

Nice to see you back in the game btw.
I think im going to hit the boneyards tomorrow to see if I can score a good door. Thankfully, I live in the southwest where rust is only a color.

I figure the door adjustments are probably whats most needed, but that door skin is going to bother me to death.

Thanks , good to be back. Fired her up after 4 years for the first time, and remembered why I loved it
Old 07-30-2016, 12:09 PM
  #6  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (167)
 
John in RI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: RI
Posts: 5,018
Received 348 Likes on 263 Posts
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: Fix this or replace the door?

I don't know much about body work and I'm trying to figure out whether this can be fixed or if I should just look for a replacement door at a boneyard?
Gonna' keep the car ??? Do yourself a favor & get another door and put that one in the scrap pile. The metal brackets and bracket mounting points inside that door are all bent out of shape and getting it back to 'normal' is a waste of time and effort. ( been there-done that, I'd buy a replacement door if I had to do it again ! )

When your looking for a replacement door be sure that the top hinge is nice and tight with as little 'slack' as possible. If the upper hinge is - even just a little - 'questionable' on the replacement door that you find, forget you ever saw it and find another one,..... with a GOOD upper hinge !


Old 08-30-2016, 10:59 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
heavy hauler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Fix this or replace the door?

is the door from a trans am the same as camaro?
Old 08-31-2016, 09:56 AM
  #8  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (15)
 
Tibo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Desert
Posts: 5,025
Received 76 Likes on 66 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Fix this or replace the door?

Originally Posted by heavy hauler
is the door from a trans am the same as camaro?
Yes, doors are the same.
Old 08-31-2016, 09:57 AM
  #9  
Supreme Member

 
navy02ws6's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,208
Received 63 Likes on 52 Posts
Car: '02 T/A WS6, '91 T/A, '91 Camaro RS
Engine: LS1, LB9, L03
Transmission: T56, 700R4, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4.10 10 bolt, 2.73 10 bolts
Re: Fix this or replace the door?

All 1982-92 doors are the same, other than mounting points for ground effects for different years and models.

Considering it's the passenger's door (no VIN/tire info label) and it looks like you need paint anyway, I'd just get another door.
Old 08-31-2016, 10:38 AM
  #10  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (167)
 
John in RI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: RI
Posts: 5,018
Received 348 Likes on 263 Posts
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: Fix this or replace the door?

Early Thirdgen doors are not the same as 84 and newer doors. While they are similar on the exterior and are a direct fit,... the internals are not the same. Specific window fillers are used on the 82-83 doors & those parts will not fit any other doors.

Also might be good to mention that later Thirdgen doors ( maybe 89 + ) have additional bracing and a much improved door window guide set-up.

While all 82-92 doors will bolt up to any other Thirdgen,.... to say they are all the same ( other than a few mounting holes ) is wrong.



Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bowtieman1970
Electronics
3
08-17-2016 02:50 AM
Kevman
Interior
21
04-14-2016 06:59 AM
gt4373
History / Originality
12
03-23-2016 02:18 AM
deathpunch016
Tech / General Engine
1
03-15-2016 06:11 PM
72BuickGSX
Aftermarket Product Review
2
04-03-2001 09:40 PM



Quick Reply: Fix this or replace the door?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:13 AM.