Put the guts in the door prior to installation? Or after?

[Sofia74]

Getting our 1974 KG Coupe back together. Hope to be dropping the body onto the chassis soon. Any recommendations on whether to put all the guts (glass, etc) back into the doors prior to attaching to body? Or do that after the doors are installed?

I would prefer to assemble the doors first since it allows me to works on parts separately from the car because the car is not at my house. Of course this makes the doors heavier.

But I know folks here have done this many times. Curious what the recommendation is.

Thanks,
Matt

[djkeev]

Doors are much lighter without glass.

I'm old, I prefer light.

If you're young, strong like Bull...... put the glass in.

Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

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[Sofia74]

Yes, but…

I too am older than I would prefer. 😊

Comma, if I can accomplish X number of hours of work away from the car, since my time with the car is limited, I try to take advantage of that.

All else being equal, I may go with the strong like bull, smart like rock, philosophy. If it saves me hours…

[slalombuggy]

Do you have a door lift of a really good friend who you can swear at a lot? If so put the guts in them.

I've always found putting the innards in doors is much easier when the are bolted to the car.

brad

[Sofia74]

[jeffrey8164]

I put my doors on and then stuffed everything into them.
There are so many minuscule details that’s it’s impossible to bench assemble the door without a fixture.
What better fixture than the car?
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[Vladiiiii]

Let's say I am in the same situation, but with painted body and doors. To be honest I'd mount the doors afterward. Maybe glue the door seal to the door, and install the hinges on the doors, as well as brush on some creeping penetrating/protective agent along the seams, for rust protection. And then mount them to the car (new bolts really help, I have ones with Hexagon/allen shape, instead of Phillips head), and only THEN put the rest in.

The main idea is, not that the door is too heavy per se, but even with 2 people, putting a scratch/dent in that shiny paint is something to be avoided The hours you didn't work on the doors, maybe you forget, but the scratch that happened when hitting something because of the heavy door, you will see that forever

My 50 Cents
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[Sofia74]

Somewhat related question - does anyone have a good picture / description of the the assembly of all the door guts? I can picture one I've seen including how to make adjustments, but I can't find it...

Based on the feedback, I think I'll hold off on assembling the doors until after installed on the car.

Thanks.

[jeffrey8164]

In the How To stickies
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9255317#9255317
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Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.

“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
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[Redlabel6]

I would suggest installing the door check straps before you hang the doors. Getting that installed is a real challenge.
d
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1957 Oval Window Beetle
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=666792&highlight=73+coupe

[slalombuggy]

[Sofia74]

I did see that sticky. It will help but I had another image in mind but maybe I imagined it. I think I'll be able to figure it out with all the info here.

Good call on the door check straps. Will do.

Thanks.

[KGCoupe]

The 1960 VW Karmann Ghia Shop Manual - Body Section, which can be found in the Karmann Ghia Owner's Manual section under The Samba Technical tab, has a whole section on doors and windows (removal, installation, adjustment, etc.) beginning on page A63-1.