69 bug convertable door sag

[Buffbug]

I'm new to the forum, but have read many helpful topics. I'm restoring a 69 convertible and welded in new floor and heat channels, as well as welding fixes on the rear post bottoms. I welded a support brace across the doors before hand, I stupidly thought the doors would fit after this modification, but have a severe 2 in. drop on the back (driver) after bolting on the doors. I've tried everything from unbolting the body and adding or taking out mount rubbers. Nothing works. My question is has anyone modified the hinges so you could adjust vertically or is there a better way. Thanks for any help.

[Buffbug]

[

quote="Buffbug"]I'm new to the forum, but have read many helpful topics. I'm restoring a 69 convertible and welded in new floor and heat channels, as well as welding fixes on the rear post bottoms. I welded a support brace across the doors before hand, I stupidly thought the doors would fit after this modification, but have a severe 2 in. drop on the back (driver) after bolting on the doors. I've tried everything from unbolting the body and adding or taking out mount rubbers. Nothing works. My question is has anyone modified the hinges so you could adjust vertically or is there a better way. Thanks for any help.[/quote]

[toddgsanford]

With a 2” drop it sounds like the hinge could be the issue
Pin replace might fix that does the hinge have excessive play?

I always use body shims. In place of the rubber spacers the process of adjusting requires loosening pan bolts adding shims than resting car as it would sit. Than re tightening bolts including the two large frame head 17mm

Modifying hinge is typically not necessary I have taken small amounts of material away but only gain @ 1/32”

Try loosening pan bolts and have some one use a long pry bar at the mount near rear shock and see if you can correct the gap before adding shims


A link to 2 good review on basic alignment for the B pillar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpxvM8RHLo8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZYahv1F6NQ

[Buffbug]

The hinges don't have any play. I'll try loosening body bolts again and lifting as you suggest, thanks

[VW_Jimbo]

You welded the pillars in the wrong positions. Go back through the process. Not sure what you did, as you included no pictures of the channels welded in, but I figure you set the A pillar to far forwards, making the front body mounts push the top over their vertical axis. If you move the bottom of the A pillar towards the back, the top would move towards the front. Once set and tacked in you could then set the B pillar in position and tack that into place.

There is no wedge, shim or short cut. Just doing the job correctly. Simple.

Good luck!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Buffbug]

I agree it could be the pillars are out of whack. How would I cut and move the A pillar back since its welded to the kick panels and dash? Would this screw up being able to latch the roof?

[VW_Jimbo]