I've seen pictures of the vans in the past and they all did Gull wing doors. How do people do this? I have yet to see a kit and I'm not sure about fabricating a door hinge. I hate the way the factory hinges rust even if you repaint them
DANVAN
09-01-2005, 08:41 AM
There are fiberglass doors available, they are lighter then using the factory metal ones. Theres a web site for a place in Canada the sells them. He also sells on ebay once in a while. I hear piano hinges are used.
Some day I wouldnt mind puting one on my van.
If I come across that web site I will post it, or u could check over at Vannin.com, open forum,someone there probably knows of the site.
Ram3500Dually
09-01-2005, 11:18 AM
Depends on the van and the way the drip rail is on whether you can use piano hinges or not. I made my door myself on my 72 then used a set of car hood hinges to make it open.
The picture of Loree-Bob's van shows what happens when you use a piano hinge, the door won't open fully.
TattooingSC
09-02-2005, 09:43 AM
the hinges need to be bent so that the pin area sits outside the top of the door. You can use a piano hinge, if it's wide enough. Showcarz offers gull wing door kits. 799.00 for the door, and 299.00 for the hardware kit. Add to that 150.00 shipping in the US. They're pricey.
http://www.showcars-bodyparts.com/
Ram3500Dually
09-02-2005, 09:48 AM
the hinges need to be bent so that the pin area sits outside the top of the door.
And the rain will get on it then under it and rot the door frame and the hinge. The drip rail was put there for a reason in the beginning. That was the biggest problem with having any hinge outside of the drip rail in order to make the door open higher.
laylowcustoms
09-02-2005, 05:41 PM
well all of the pics I"ve seen, I never saw anybody do this to the rear doors. Why is this? My rear door would be a much better choice sence it will be my "living area" and you cant get in through the side doors.
TattooingSC
09-02-2005, 09:21 PM
And the rain will get on it then under it and rot the door frame and the hinge. The drip rail was put there for a reason in the beginning. That was the biggest problem with having any hinge outside of the drip rail in order to make the door open higher.
There is a way to do it where the pins will still be protected by the drip rail. Both of the gullwings on the Lion's Den have been on there since 84, and there's no rust associated with the hinges. the top edge of the door should be trimmed to recess the hinges, then the door will miss the drip rail. I can get a close up pic for you tomorrow, if you'd like.
so what do you guys do about the doors? Do you get sliding doors and swap it to gullwing or do you bolt the old 2 doors together or do they make other doors?
Do you make your own hinge from the hardware store or do you order a kit?
TattooingSC
09-03-2005, 12:54 AM
Order the fiberglass doors. you'll never get lifts that will support the weight of the steel doors.
laylowcustoms
09-03-2005, 01:08 AM
where do I get the fiberglass doors?
hurricane2
09-04-2005, 10:31 AM
Contact Robert (Spider) Cochran at 937-268-8809 or by fax at 937-268-8306. He has all the original J & J fiberglass molds for all makes of vans, he has side and rear door molds.
Ram3500Dually
09-05-2005, 08:42 PM
There is a way to do it where the pins will still be protected by the drip rail. Both of the gullwings on the Lion's Den have been on there since 84, and there's no rust associated with the hinges. the top edge of the door should be trimmed to recess the hinges, then the door will miss the drip rail. I can get a close up pic for you tomorrow, if you'd like.
Lions Den's door only opens to about 5'7 which is about the maximum if you stay inside the drip rail. My door opened to over 7 foot! Anything under 6 foot and the average person will loose an eye if they come in contact with the corner.
As for glass doors verses steel, my chopped Ford had a steel side door. I used a side panel off a van and made a frame around it. I also used the 4 foot steel with the spring inside cylinders from an old Astra or Vega to hold it up.
Also, there were many vans in the 80's that also had the rear door gull-winged.
eric1806
09-25-2005, 03:48 PM
I have a 76 sportsman with and side wing door, I don't really like the latch set up and its now starting to cause problems. I was wondering if any one can give me and sugestions or examples for a possible soultion.(motor?) I am also looking for a site with replacement body parts (ex. front corner panel. Peace
TattooingSC
09-26-2005, 12:40 AM
The latch setups arent the greatest on these things. It'll take a bit of work, but I suggest the bear claw latches from yearwood.com. I've used them on other projects, and I believe they'll work well in the gullwing. If I ever replace the ones in my doors, that's the route I'll take.
Oh, and Laylow, here's a door that'll fit your van, from the same place in Canada that offers them:
