Fitting old doors to a different CJ-7

[LIVELY5R]

The great news is that I have proper door strikers & 2 hard doors for my 80 CJ7 ! The difficult news is that the PO of the doors said I'd most likely have to fit the doors to my jeep by moving the door hinge plates around. Is this a simple task? I have yet to do anything mechanically simple to the jeep. Any insight or you tube video links would be most appreciated!!!!

 

[somedude922]

I think he's talking about "adjusting" the fit of the doors. Loosen the 3 bolts on each door hinge and "adjust" the positioning of the door so it fits snug and seals good. Then tighten the bolts again.

 

[gr8dain]

It helps to have one person hold the door while another tightens the hinges. It can be frustrating as a one person job (but it can be done).

 

[Only in a Jeep CJ]

Provided you have the striker situation figured out, here is the procedure for fitting the doors via the hinges and adjusting the gaps.

The hinges on the door use floating plates inside that allow the hinge bracket to move around on the door shell. A torx 40 and some gentle application of heat will be needed. There is a factory thread locker used on these torx bolts. Heat will allow them to come out easy. Not so easy without. I would remove the hinge, clean under it, anti seize the bolts, and position it where a general tap will move it. Be ready with the wrench/ torx bit to tighten and lock it down as needed.

The hinges that have adjustment in them are :
The windshield hinge / upper door hinge at the tub.
Each door hinge on the door.
The lower door hinge at the tub.
The hood hinges (both cowl and hood sides).
The lower section of the tailgate hinges.
Note the windshield frame outer sides and tailgate do not have floating plates, so adjustments here will be made on the other section.

The gap adjustment:
Doors are done on this order. Remove outer door seal and striker pin. Lower windshield.
Adjust door to fit tub. Start with upper hinge and match lower hinges pivot points to make a straight axis.
Adjust striker to match door. Install pin
Adjust windshield frame to match the door rake.
Install seal.
Adjust top to fit. Overhang at rear is fine if all the other gaps are correct.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Just an added note. Even with the heat to the screws at the door hinge they can still be hard to loosen up and may even strip at the torx hole in the screw while trying to break the screw free. A hand held torque wrench may be of help. They are hammer activated so when the pressure is applied to the screw to turn it left it is also being driven in which helps the edges of the of the hole in the screw from striping. Harbor Freight sells them pretty cheap but you will need to mess around with getting what you need to accept the torx head. (Heat, Smack (gently), Loosen)

Although I have not done this with a CJ7 only with TJ doors, once I have the screws loosened I use cardboard as a spacer at the threshold of the door opening then close and latch the door; adjust the cardboard as need to fit the door. Once right tighten the screws. At this point only a small amount of adjusting may be required if any.