Welding doors

[cfrank30]

Just trying to figure out if it would be easier to weld the door hinges to the frame and door itself, besides trying to find bolts and used doors that isn't rusted all around that area. Anyone have any suggestions?

[racepar1]

Wait, WHAT???

Why would you weld the hinges? They are attached by bolts. You can get bolts at almost any local hardware store...

[cfrank30]

yes i can but the problem that i have is around the hinges on the frame and door itself is rusted and about to completely come apart. That's why i want to know if it would be easier to just weld new metal in those areas then just weld the hinges to it all.

[FRpilot]

It would be more work to weld then bolting hinges. Since you are having a difficult time finding used doors, might I suggest carbon fiber doors? Those can be bought new and I guarantee they won't rust.

But since you say the frame where the hinges bolt onto are rusted, you're going to need to repair that area with welding anyways. I say it would still be easier to repair and then bolt on hinges.

[cfrank30]

That would be great but really don't have the money for something like that. i will try to get pics up to show what it looks like then get some suggestions

[racepar1]

That would be great but really don't have the money for something like that. i will try to get pics up to show what it looks like then get some suggestions

If you don't have the money to fix it then get another car. That's the REALITY of the situation. The chances that you'll be able to line the doors up after you're done is slim. Personally I wouldn't even bother trying to fix something like that. I would get another shell. Of course I live in a rust-free zone soooooo...

[DJ-of-E]

That would be great but really don't have the money for something like that. i will try to get pics up to show what it looks like then get some suggestions

If you can't afford it, you have to get another car.

There's a good reason why those who live up north or midwest have 2 cars.
1) Daily and don't give a flying duck during winter salted snow and rust.
2) Garage queen for being either show-car or track car or really nice car, usually hibernated during cold and snowy weather.

Honest, a car hobby is literally expensive as a hobby. Way too expensive for someone who barely makes more than $50,000 a year and is a loss loss situation. If you can't do it right the first time, it will cost you more in the future...whether it be entire car or entire leg or entire human life.

Now rust is like cancer, you can't get rid of most of it without taking out a good chunk of "good" meat as it may have permeated rust you can't really see with the naked eye. Even then, you most likley have other areas of the car you have not seen yet where damage is already gonna spread...like cancer. Just like how chemo treatments are expensive, addressing car body rust issues are just as expensive.

[Synistar13]

If you can't afford it, you have to get another car.

There's a good reason why those who live up north or midwest have 2 cars.
1) Daily and don't give a flying duck during winter salted snow and rust.
2) Garage queen for being either show-car or track car or really nice car, usually hibernated during cold and snowy weather.

Honest, a car hobby is literally expensive as a hobby. Way too expensive for someone who barely makes more than $50,000 a year and is a loss loss situation. If you can't do it right the first time, it will cost you more in the future...whether it be entire car or entire leg or entire human life.

Now rust is like cancer, you can't get rid of most of it without taking out a good chunk of "good" meat as it may have permeated rust you can't really see with the naked eye. Even then, you most likley have other areas of the car you have not seen yet where damage is already gonna spread...like cancer. Just like how chemo treatments are expensive, addressing car body rust issues are just as expensive.

This man speaks volumes of truth on multiple topics.

[Future_gohan]

If you can't afford it, you have to get another car.

There's a good reason why those who live up north or midwest have 2 cars.
1) Daily and don't give a flying duck during winter salted snow and rust.
2) Garage queen for being either show-car or track car or really nice car, usually hibernated during cold and snowy weather.

Honest, a car hobby is literally expensive as a hobby. Way too expensive for someone who barely makes more than $50,000 a year and is a loss loss situation. If you can't do it right the first time, it will cost you more in the future...whether it be entire car or entire leg or entire human life.

Now rust is like cancer, you can't get rid of most of it without taking out a good chunk of "good" meat as it may have permeated rust you can't really see with the naked eye. Even then, you most likley have other areas of the car you have not seen yet where damage is already gonna spread...like cancer. Just like how chemo treatments are expensive, addressing car body rust issues are just as expensive.

Did you really just tell someone to get a new car because he cannot afford carbon fiber doors?

Did that really just happen?

really...?

[Synistar13]

I've seen guys charge more for door hinge rust repair than a set of carbon doors, so, yeah.... I kinda guess so...:picardfp:

I guess he's saying that maybe modding a car isn't the thing for the OP, if he doesn't have the money for it. I've seen some REALLY nice shells destroyed by someone who simply doesn't have the money to build a car properly.

[Future_gohan]

I've seen guys charge more for door hinge rust repair than a set of carbon doors, so, yeah.... I kinda guess so...:picardfp:

I guess he's saying that maybe modding a car isn't the thing for the OP, if he doesn't have the money for it. I've seen some REALLY nice shells destroyed by someone who simply doesn't have the money to build a car properly.

Dudes are smoking rocks if they paid that kind of money for something like that. Just saying, A shop would charge 200-250 for something like that.

Car's are an expensive hobby, requires a lot of money, blood, sweat, and tears, but an over exaggeration like that is a little over the top and isn't needed.

[Future_gohan]

Regarless, realized I was super off topic, don't weld the hinges onto the car or door. Newer cars are welded on, like bmw and stuff, but I wouldn't do it, I would weld nuts to the inside before welding a plate on, so you can bolt it on, you'll want the adjustment so the door lines up right and will be a nicer install.

[Synistar13]

And I'm in full agreement with all aspects, but maybe DJ is trying to help someone avoid the pitfalls that many of us have hit.

And if a car is rusted in the door hinge area, imagine where else it's got cancer..... Maybe he's trying to talk him into another shell.

[DJ-of-E]

Did you really just tell someone to get a new car because he cannot afford carbon fiber doors?

Did that really just happen?

really...?

I personally had a 1985 Celica GTS as my daily. I love that car to death as it was the final year a Celica was RWD. Unfortunately, it has so much rust that rain would cause all kinds of havoc. I was a broke ass college kid back then working at Sears and the cost of rust repair was just too much. (engine and tranny still good).

And guess what, that "new" car I replaced with was a 1992 Nissan 240sx with 140,000 miles 1 female owner for $2300 back in 2002.

I'm not a metal guy who could weld stuff, but rust repair is very serious stuff that is to not taken likely. Sometimes I see rust repair where they would cut only 1cm of good metal around the rust only to come back "around the welds." Now I look back on it with my Celica, I'm really glad I didn't stick with fixing the rust otherwise I would've been in a bigger hole financially.

Finally, Carbon fibre doors? On a car you drive on the street? Really? I hope he has a full cage because that thing will not protect you on a side impact.

[cfrank30]

sadly no full cage, the rust on the frame of the car around the hinges isnt too serious already had that taken care of. talked to a body shop that said the doors could be fixed for a couple hundred bucks but will not be welding the doors or the hinges

[silviacoupe89]

Junkyard door hinges. There free because they fit into your pocket.