MC5/8/9 sedan door lower hinge

[bevans6]

I'm going to be pulling a sedan door off a parts bus later this week, to replace the stock double doors on my MC5C.  the upper hinge attachment points are right out in the open and easy to get at, but I can't see how the lower hinge attaches.  I've heard that the stock hinges will work when replacing double doors with a sedan door, so I'm hoping that I can get this door off without ruining anything.  The only problem is the bus is parked about a foot from a fence on the door side, and there isn't a lot of access room.  anyone have ideas?

Thanks, Brian

[gumpy]

The lower hinge is bolted to the frame from underneath.

Here's a photo of the lower hinge:  http://www.gumpydog.com/Bus/MC9_WIP/Mechanical/Door_Latch/020616.02.removing_lower_hinge.JPG

It's the upper hinge that will be difficult as it's bolted inside the dash.

[bevans6]

Thanks, Craig.  No wonder I couldn't see it, the snow is  up about that high around the front of the bus.  I will take a shovel...

I already took the dash  apart to get at the upper hinge, I hope it goes well.  Would you also install the inside door operating mechanism (the dash handle so the driver can open the door)?

Thanks again,  Brian 

BTW your trailer light converter worked perfectly on my trip to Savannah from Ontario in December, I can't remember if I mentioned that before.

Brian

[Ed Hackenbruch]

 Brian, we not only have the dash board door handle,  we also have the air lock that is activated when air pressure is up and you are going down the road. I would not be without either one.  When i close the door at nite with the handle i know that no one can get inside without making a lot of noise, ie, breaking a window to reach the handle. I have a padlock on the outside bump knob so they can't use that to open it either. The air lock sucks the door in about another 1/2 inch when going down the road for a tighter seal.

[bevans6]

Where is the air lock located?

Brian

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Under the floor on the left side of the stairwell as you are going in.  There is an access panel there, mine is behind the carpet the PO used to cover stairs and sides with.

[gumpy]

Thanks, Craig.  No wonder I couldn't see it, the snow is  up about that high around the front of the bus.  I will take a shovel...

I already took the dash  apart to get at the upper hinge, I hope it goes well.  Would you also install the inside door operating mechanism (the dash handle so the driver can open the door)?

Thanks again,  Brian 

BTW your trailer light converter worked perfectly on my trip to Savannah from Ontario in December, I can't remember if I mentioned that before.

Brian

I removed my door handle. I don't regret it, but as Ed said, it works well for others.

I agree with him about the air lock, though. Definitely take that, too. Make sure you get the solenoid that's in the spare tire compartment for it, also, and the door handle switch.  I rewired my switch so I can control it simply by the lever on the dash. We use it going down the road. I have been intending to put in a key switch on the outside to allow me to use the air lock as a lock when we're away, in addition to the door handle lock which is pretty flimsy (Peterbilt). Just have not got to that yet. My air leaks might override that idea, though.

Glad to hear the converter worked well for you. Haven't had any complaints about them yet. I think I'm the only one that's had any problems, and that turned out to be a relay going bad.

craig