Thread: 35 Chevy pickup wooden door frames

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Thanks for the feed back. I never thought of weather effecting the door fit. Maybe metal would be the best answer.

I'm with Johnathan. I had the same job to tackle. I've got a 36 Chevrolet so you probably have more wood in your project. Mine was limited to the pillars and the piece under the dash that ties the two together. No wood in the doors themselves. How is yours set up? After talking to Pete Hagan (I was doing the hidden hinges as well) I opted to use some 2X2 sq tubing (think it was 16 ga) mated together. Made a template out of poster board to get the shape of the outside of the body and cut accordingly. You'll end up with a 2X2 piece of tubing from low on the pillar and it will grow about mid way....also you'll have to trim the top to slide in where the wood inserted and screwed in. This can be used for factory hinges too. In fact....I nearly ditched the hidden hinges. While not impossible....our body style is more difficult than some. Due to the angle of the pillar and width. I'll see if I can find my pics.

Found the thread.... about 2/3 of the way down. Wish I had taken more pictures. http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...t=33843&page=2

Dave G

Originally Posted by DennyW

I'm using wood in my 34. I'm redoing all that is there. And that is quit a bit. I'm using Oak myself. First off, if you consider the shape of the doors in the 34, and 35 pickups, it is pretty square. Second, the span, distance of the wood used, the expansion is only 1/4" or less. Third, if the wood being used, depending on type of wood, is from the same batch, and allowed to dry in the same area, cut, and fitted, with slip joints, and sealed on the ends when complete, there should be little problems. If you look close, the door is only a skin, that is screw nailed to the wood. The slight bow in the metal skin, will expand, and contract according to the wood structure. Even the metal will expand. And when mixing different thickness of metal, it will have different expansion rates also. Either way will work. On the wood, you need to check out the expansion characteristics of what you want to use. Sealing the cut ends, eliminates the expansion rate almost to zero.

Hey Denny. How are you doing? Hope well!
I cant imagine trying to duplicate the wood pillars. You've got a heck of a patience level!

Dave G