Lower Quarter problems - expereinced body guys advice needed

[AARTA340]

The pictures sure do look better.    What did you end up doing to get the panel alignment to look so good? 

[70chall440]

beat the crap out of the doors...  Actually, what it took was several things, for the pass side door, I did twist it a little which helped quite a lot, but I also has readjust it and adjust the striker. I think ground the door edge and rewelded it up and smoothed it in. For the drivers door, I have to twist it just a little, then ground the edge and welded it up and then smoothed it in. I can easily see where a perfectionist could spend lots of time just on the doors. They are not perfect by any stretch, but they are pretty good; definitely good enough for what I am doing. The body lines all line up and they close good.

[1 Wild R/T]

But that'll never work....   

[70chall440]

I assume you are referring to twisting the doors? Worked for me... 

[1 Wild R/T]

I was poking fun at this..... I've worked on E bodies for 30+ years, twisted doors on dozens of cars... Never once have I created a wind whistle or water leak...

Hold on. Twisting the door may help with the 1/4 alignment, but it sure as hell won't help with the door to body alignment. If the door fits the hole pretty good right now and the weatherstrips seal decently, you'll create the biggest wind whistle/water leak in the world by cranking the door away from the rocker and B pillar. Remember the golden rule about doing bodywork- "if it doesn't fit, why doesn't it fit and what do I need to do to make it fit". If, as you've said, you got the 1/4 in as tight to the B pillar as possible, then the only alternative is either move the B in or section the B with a pie shaped cut to bring it and the attached 1/4, back in. The 1/4 skin should be slap dab up against the inner flange of the B and if it is, then there's no other way around it. If you moved the complete B, you'll screw up the door/B seal. You've got the correct attitude and it sounds like you've also got the correct skill set, so have at 'er. Just my 
PS- look closer at your tape- that isn't a 1/4" offset, it's 3/8ths verging on 7/16ths and you won't get that by bending-anything. 

[rhamson]

What ever floats your boat is what I say. If it works for you is the only persons opinion that counts. I have to admit I am a bit too anal when it comes to alignment and perfection and I don't profess that my way is the only way because what I like and others like is what makes it all work. Good for you! 

[70chall440]

I do appreciate all of the advice and guidance. Everyone has their own POV and experiences, so it is great to be able to receive a wide variety. In this case I believe it all worked out well, the doors fit and close well. As to the issues and advice from jimnynick, I agree with what he is saying, I do not think my issues were as critical/bad. I do not have bumpers or weatherstriping in the car so there is still some room for that.

All in all I think it worked out well.

[rhamson]

I do appreciate all of the advice and guidance. Everyone has their own POV and experiences, so it is great to be able to receive a wide variety. In this case I believe it all worked out well, the doors fit and close well. As to the issues and advice from jimnynick, I agree with what he is saying, I do not think my issues were as critical/bad. I do not have bumpers or weatherstriping in the car so there is still some room for that.

All in all I think it worked out well.

I agree and I feel the same way. Advice is welcome and judgement is not is what I say. There are some that will deride some of us who modify or change the factory made car. I was around the first time when these fire breathing beasts roamed the streets and remember trying to steer out of a situation or stopping to avoid a crash and they were far from stellar experiences. I have changed many of those bad characteristics to keep up with the changing driving habits of the ignorant drivers on these modern streets as a matter of self preservation. Mind you I do not have a numbers matching collectible car but it is my baby none the less and I will do with it as I will.

[rUNCHARGER]

It looks much better now. A lot of people would cringe if they watched our beloved old cars getting PDI'ed when new. Yanking on the window frame area at the top half of the door to make it's contour match the Body pillars was standard procedure before they left the dealer on many vehicles.

Sheldson

[70chall440]

I agree and I feel the same way. Advice is welcome and judgement is not is what I say. There are some that will deride some of us who modify or change the factory made car. I was around the first time when these fire breathing beasts roamed the streets and remember trying to steer out of a situation or stopping to avoid a crash and they were far from stellar experiences. I have changed many of those bad characteristics to keep up with the changing driving habits of the ignorant drivers on these modern streets as a matter of self preservation. Mind you I do not have a numbers matching collectible car but it is my baby none the less and I will do with it as I will.

We are on the same page in this regard. I cannot say how I would react if I had a numbers matching original car, probably would depend on rarity but I feel I would make many of the same type of changes to make the car handle and stop well. I remember the "good ole days" as well and steering/handling just wants something we concerned ourselves with, it was about raw HP at least in my neck of the woods.

[70chall440]

It looks much better now. A lot of people would cringe if they watched our beloved old cars getting PDI'ed when new. Yanking on the window frame area at the top half of the door to make it's contour match the Body pillars was standard procedure before they left the dealer on many vehicles.

Sheldson

Agree, people tend to forget that these cars regardless of their rarity today were just "cars" back in the day. Dealerships were moving a commodity and whatever it took to do that is what they did. Probably one of the more interesting aspects of the Mopar brand is that dealers had a lot of leeway to do whatever it took to make the sale and get/keep customers.

I am happy with the door to quarter fitment/gap, now I have to beat the fenders into submission as well. 

[AARTA340]

I like your progress, gives us all encouragement on our projects. Keep us up to speed on the fenders, as I will be in the same spot after I get the rear of the car re-done.   

[70chall440]

I am planning on working on the at least the pass fender today, so we will see. I will post pictures if I get anywhere.

[rhamson]

We are on the same page in this regard. I cannot say how I would react if I had a numbers matching original car, probably would depend on rarity but I feel I would make many of the same type of changes to make the car handle and stop well. I remember the "good ole days" as well and steering/handling just wants something we concerned ourselves with, it was about raw HP at least in my neck of the woods.

Agreed again. There was and still is something about the sound, the smell (especially the unburned fuel) and attitude of these street beasts. What is funny is trying to explain that to a Prius owner.

[70chall440]

Agreed again. There was and still is something about the sound, the smell (especially the unburned fuel) and attitude of these street beasts. What is funny is trying to explain that to a Prius owner.

Yea, you either have the car bug or you don't, not much in between.