What's the ugliest part of your truck's body? Some say it's the nose, others say it's how it tows. We say it's the doors. Give it some thought and we think you will all agree that an old truck's doors can be a proverbial cauldron of rust and wear-induced problems.
Unfortunately, the cure we are offering here is not available to all of the classic brand trucks that people like to restore or customize, but for owners of '67-'72 C-10s we have the perfect solution. Starting at the core of the problem we are pleased to announce the availability of brand-new replacement doors from the folks at Goodmark Industries. We'll also take a look at the new parts available from Brothers for the door's inner-workings.
Although our story deals with tossing one's existing rusty door and replacing everything that comprises a complete operational door, there are parts of this article that can be extracted and applied to a specific function of the door-such as the weatherstripping. Without a good seal, everything inside of the door, including the door itself, is subject to rust. We don't have to explain what the implications of rust are to a classic truck owner. Everyone knows: rust kills.
Calin used a clip tool to...
Calin used a clip tool to remove the window felts that squeegee the water away from leaking into the door. If the felts are not replaced or properly installed, continuing damage from rust is a sure bet.
The channel rubber is not...
The channel rubber is not glued from the factory, so they were easy to pull out.
The track for the window is...
The track for the window is held in with Phillips head screws--they are usually a bugger to get out. Calin used this method. An impact hammer can also be used with good results.
After the screws were removed,...
After the screws were removed, the tracks were removed through the rectangular opening in the door.
These three Phillips screws...
These three Phillips screws along the front edge of the door hold the vent window in place.
After the hardware was removed...
After the hardware was removed from the vent-window assembly, it was pulled rearward and then lifted from the door shell.
Here's a perfect example of...
Here's a perfect example of a worn-out window roller. Replace these and your windows will roll up and down so nice that you'll think that you just bought a new Cadillac.
The window regulator was held...
The window regulator was held in by two Phillips screws.
Talk about an ugly, rusty...
Talk about an ugly, rusty mess, this window regulator assembly was obviously the victim of neglected window felts. Notice how Calin withdrew it from the door.
The easiest way to remove...
The easiest way to remove the door latch assembly was to remove these two Phillips screws and then extract it from the door with the actuating rods intact. Once out of the door the rods are easily disconnected.
See, we told you this was...
See, we told you this was the easiest way to do it.
The door lock assembly is...
The door lock assembly is retained by this flat clip. To remove the flat clip, we yanked to the left with a pair of wide-jawed pliers.
The door handles are mounted...
The door handles are mounted to the doors with 5⁄16-inch bolts that have 1⁄2-inch heads. Calin used an extension with a six-point deep-socket to remove them.
There's nothing like a brand-new...
There's nothing like a brand-new vent-window assembly from Brothers to make a door look and function just like new.
Ditto for the shiny new window...
Ditto for the shiny new window regulator from Brothers.
Replacing this baby means...
Replacing this baby means you will no longer have sloppy door handles.
A major improvement to how...
A major improvement to how well the doors stay closed can be achieved by replacing the old worn-out unit with a new one. Did we mention that you can get them from Brothers?
Before the availability of...
Before the availability of Brothers new replacement door handles, the only way to get the appearance of a new part was to have the old one re-chromed. Unfortunately, the odds are good of having a chrome shop lose a door handle in the bottom of a chrome-plating tank.
New chrome window and door...
New chrome window and door handles not only look great, but are very easy to install.
Always a problem with an older...
Always a problem with an older truck is having door locks that work. New locks not only eliminate this problem, but the new lock gasket is just one more good way to prevent water from entering into the door.
The new door handles include...
The new door handles include gaskets and are a cinch to install.
The original door pull-rods...
The original door pull-rods are reused with the new latch assemblies.
Not only did the new latch...
Not only did the new latch assemblies cure door closure problems, their bright cad-plated finish added a brand-new look to Calin's door.
Here's how the new Brothers...
Here's how the new Brothers window roller appeared after it was correctly installed.
The new vent-window assembly...
The new vent-window assembly was installed by easing it into the door cavity.
New window channel sealed...
New window channel sealed up excessive wind noise and provided a fuzzy look to an otherwise bleak area of the C-10 door.
Did we mention you will need...
Did we mention you will need a Phillips screwdriver? Calin swears by his Snap-on screwdrivers.
Without fail, this door handle...
Without fail, this door handle return-spring is usually broken in '67-'72 C-10 doors.
The window cranks and door...
The window cranks and door handles press straight on with the U-shaped clip in the handle.