i did some trading the other day and came up with some 85 doors. i am making some half doors. i cut the shape that i want and mocked them up with the stock latches.

my question is. should i fill the door with wood or steel or both?????

wood= lighter than steel
steel=stronger that wood
both= light and strong!!!!

i will get some pics here shortly, i left the frame but i might have cut them to low for some's taste, but hey im a big guy and i plan on climbing out dukes style!! that is what half doors are for right??!!

 

im gonna build half doors soon for my 85 and i think im just gonna go with wood for now. It will be dry in the summer so they won't rot. Personally if you want it done right do it with steel or aluminum somehow. Post some pics so we can make some suggestions.

 

i had to run out to the garage this morn to grab some pics and do some door fitting, they are straight enough now so i can start fabbing!!!!!

i got a nice piece of diamond plate that matches the back area. on trade once again!!!! im gunna cut it up and make inside door panels!!! i might use it to cap the door but im not sure yet!

 

Maybe i'm wrong but wouldnt more material weigh more than less material??

wood= lighter than steel

steel=stronger that wood

both= really heavy but strong

I would definitely cap them with steel.. looks good!

 

so your sayin spray faom in a wood frame so the door feels solid then cap it with my diamond plate??

 

Well i've never heard of a wood frame but it sounds like a good idea I imagine it would loose some rigidity after being cut down.

And whatever you do I would cap it with the diamond plate

Maybe some super expanding Great Stuff to fill them in if you wanted

 

so i went down to my neigghbors house and picked out some steel. i decided on angle stock 2x2. i built up the lower section of door with a couple of 2x's and built up the front of the door to save the body line from cave in. so far so good i stood on the center of the door and it is solid as a rock.

next, i have to figure out how to finish off the latch but i'll keep you posted!!!!

 

here are a few more pics i need to figure out how my latch is gunna work. tomorrow is another day!

 

Carboard templates and some light gauge steel would make life a lot easier.

 

im so glad u didnt use wood, i was about to call u a hillbilly. wood does not belong on trucks, unless its being hauled somewhere.

 

There are some sick half door yota rolling around yelm. I'm talkin 2x12 pressure treated upright on the floorboard

 

dude i used wood to beef up the lower section of the door. call me a hillbilly, i call it unemployment innovations!!!!! everything is fine and life is good without cardboard. but i will be using cereal boxes to template my diamond plate cause i don't want to waste that stuff, bling bling!!!!!

wood saves weight and you wont see that anyways!!!!

 

YEah that doesnt make you a hillbilly or redneck although you still may be Sounds like a good idea to me just dont light the wood up while your welding the caps

This on the other hand has been called redneck... i call it steamy lunch on the trail

 

you are a good man. that may be one of the most innovative cook stove concepts iv'e seen in a while. keep up the good work, it is inspiring for all. any ideas on how i should finish off my latch. i know i wont use it much anyways so it doesn't matter.

im gunna be "duke's a hazard"ing the crap out of these doors!!!!

 

alex i have seen your yota in yelm! i was doing some work over there last year or something. I just carry a pot and a ax so i can start a fire and cook when i go wheeling but thats a cool set-up you have.

 

Thanks. Well i would just shorten the little steel rod up to where you want the latch is there a reason you cant to that?

How long ago? Half a year ago the truck was bone stock and didnt run and someone else owned it. Unless your talking about my blue 84 i've had that one for about a year

 

here are some pictures of the work i did today.

 

a few more.

she sheds her summer top and doors for the summer.

i decided on an ultra-flat tan paint job when all of my sheetmetal work is done.

that stuff is spendy. what happed to 99 cent spray cans at wallymart. they got nothing!!

 

paint is expensive. i put my full doors and top back on cause it rained hard this weekend. i plan on taking the top back off so i can paint soon. all the metal fab is done for now!

 

hmmm... quite interesting but not onto it..