[Preacher]

I decided I wanted to build some tube doors rather than shell out the money for some premade ones.

Found a local Engineering student (Chris) with a bender and a great eye for angles, and we went to work!

Several different plans, different layouts but we thought this would look best. Ended up using 1 1/2" DOM tubing, so this thing is STRONG!

Nice little pneumatic/hydraulic bender!

Layout

 

[Preacher]

Tacked up and hung using a cargo strap

Chris checking the hinge lines

Chris checking it out from the inside!

Back in to the garage for welding

Latch plate

Finished Door #1

Next weekend, door #2, then finishing and paint...

Stay tuned!

 

[Dirt Diever]

Hmm wonder how this is gonna turn out...? Post more pics as you go man..:bounce:

 

[gold knight]

That's awesome, one of the best I've seen. You're right, Chris definately has an eye for angles. Great job guys:bounce: Can't wait to see #2 built and them painted.

The only thing I would do differently would be to continue the vertical bar in the front (at the hinges) all the way to the bottom. Just my opinion as that's one thing I don't like about some of the aftermarket doors available.

 

[Grant211]

damn it....

you beat me to it...i'm working on a set now

mind posting more pics of the lock/latch?

 

[Preacher]

damn it....

you beat me to it...i'm working on a set now

mind posting more pics of the lock/latch?

The latch is a simple gate-style hook, but is temporary until I find a latch I like.

Right now, I am looking at the 350 and 450 from this website

http://www.ihinc.com/catalog.cfm?dest=dir&linkon=section&linkid=31

I emailed for prices, but if they are anything like the hotrod guys (same style as they use on the custom doors) they are expensive.

 

[banned01010]

Looks good. Far cry better than anything I could ever do. My input is same as detective lemon wedge - I'd make the front bar go all the way down.

 

[Prope]

Looks great!

 

[RubiJK]

x3 on the vertical tube at the hinges... It just looks a little incomplete. BUT, as a whole, it looks awesome. Go aheand and make 3 more instead of just 1 more!

 

[Born2run]

Lookin good. Thanks for the input.

 

[owtdorz]

The latch is a simple gate-style hook, but is temporary until I find a latch I like.

Right now, I am looking at the 350 and 450 from this website

http://www.ihinc.com/catalog.cfm?dest=dir&linkon=section&linkid=31

I emailed for prices, but if they are anything like the hotrod guys (same style as they use on the custom doors) they are expensive.

3-7901 looks like the ones on the bestop doors.
It utilizes the stock striker and locks to keep them from getting lifted.

 

[Preacher]

3-7901 looks like the ones on the bestop doors.
It utilizes the stock striker and locks to keep them from getting lifted.

Yeah, but I bet they are twice as expensive as the others....

I think about 1/3 of the price of the Bestop doors is the lock

 

[guinness]

Looking good. Sorry I wasnt able to help w/the latches more.

 

[Preacher]

I found the perfect latches. The are the same latches that the hotrod guy wanted $85 a set for, but I found them for $32.

http://www.clparts.com/clshop/store...ni?PHPSESSID=1a19396d8864adc54142728ef347db6a

 

[brokenleaf]

I found the perfect latches. The are the same latches that the hotrod guy wanted $85 a set for, but I found them for $32.

http://www.clparts.com/clshop/store...ni?PHPSESSID=1a19396d8864adc54142728ef347db6a

This latch look pretty cool! I am thinking about a door project myself with a fully enclosed half door using Bestop soft uppers. Kind of like the Bestop element doors but better. I'm in the door latch researsh mode myself. Are you just going to reach inside an unlatch? I would have to make some provisions externally to unlatch. Very nice work!

Jeff

 

[brokenleaf]

Oh yeah... one more thing. Are you going to make the latch work with the factory striker? It might work instead of the stud they give you with the latch.

 

[Preacher]

They DO work with the stock latch bar, I tried them out at the local hotrod place (They wanted too much for them)

Now that I found them at less than half the price...

Yeah, I will install a little knob and just reach in to open them.

For you, you could easily rig a latch and bar mechanism to open them from outside the skin.

 

[Grant211]

I found the perfect latches. The are the same latches that the hotrod guy wanted $85 a set for, but I found them for $32.

http://www.clparts.com/clshop/store...ni?PHPSESSID=1a19396d8864adc54142728ef347db6a

nice find partner!

How much gap is there between the latch and striker plate or is it a pretty snug fit?

 

[Preacher]

nice find partner!

How much gap is there between the latch and striker plate or is it a pretty snug fit?

There is some play, but no more than 1/8th. A little weather strip along the rear tube where it contact the door frame will do away with any clatter.

That's the plan, anyway! I put some weather stripping on with the gate latches and it made the closure tight so it should work just find with these as well. Plus, if you put slots on the mouting plate, you can adjust the latch distance etc.

They won't be here until Monday or Tuesday (2-day was more than the cost of the latches) Can't wait!

 

[CLACKEY(_!_)]

I like them but something seems like it is missing in your design. I think I would continue the front bar all the way down to the bottom bar.