Replacing door hinge on 1948 GMC Silversides

Dave Siegel · April 29, 2012, 04:27:05 AM

Went to Gene and he sent me a hinge part, wrong side and it was the only one he had. (They cut it off the old donor so the side I needed is gone) Before I get in to welding the old one, I found this as a replacement and was wondering if it would work.

The original hinge is 5 1/2" tall and made of cast aluminum, the biggest replacement I can find is 4 1/2" tall same thickness and made out of steel with ball bearing center. Since it's the same thickness and appears to be stronger, even though it's a little shorter I was wondering if the steel hinge would work as a relpacement. And also what I should look out for while doing the replacement. (Alignment,etc.)

Dave Siegel · April 29, 2012, 04:27:48 AM

Here's another view of that new hinge.

chev49 · April 29, 2012, 07:50:14 AM

whats the pin diameter of the steel? you just dont want a nice looking new hinge that has wimpy pin because of the weight of your door... just thinking...

Dave5Cs · April 29, 2012, 03:22:36 PM

Dave try a commercial door shop. They have all kinds of hinges that hold lots of weight. That hinge you are showing looks like a regular house solid core door.

Dave5Cs

Ed Hackenbruch · April 29, 2012, 08:35:58 PM

Or maybe take the old one to a machine shop and see if they could make you a new one.

Dave Siegel · April 30, 2012, 06:04:10 AM

Thanks guys, these are all great ideas and really brings to light why I hate it here in Southwest Florida. We have NO commercial door shops within 100 miles, we don't have a machine shop within 100 miles that will fabricate anything as small as a hinge (that is without charging me $500).

I guess I am going to have to wait until we move to Raleigh. I remember seeing all of those places you suggested while we were driving around checking the place out.

Jan has not heard any word about her job interview but we are hoping that this is the week we will hear.

Thanks again everyone.

Dave

bevans6 · April 30, 2012, 06:20:33 AM

I would say that replacement hinge is far stronger and more robust than a plain cast aluminium hinge. If you can make it work, it should be fine. Remember about dielectric corrosion when you install it.

Brian

uncle ned · April 30, 2012, 07:41:42 AM

Dave When you get to Raleigh you will have plenty of choices. Goodson's in Maiden NC Davids Coach on HY 18 between Morganton and Shelby and of course Genes.

Try to stay out of Raleigh to live. as far out as the wife can drive to get to work

uncle Ned

Dave Siegel · May 03, 2012, 06:34:32 AM

Quote from: Dave5Cs on April 29, 2012, 03:22:36 PM
Dave try a commercial door shop. They have all kinds of hinges that hold lots of weight. That hinge you are showing looks like a regular house solid core door.

Dave5Cs

I decided to look around and I took Dave's suggestion and went to a local major commercial door supplier. I found the hinge I was looking for, correct size and shape ball bearing enclosed, solid brass and get this it comes chromed plated so I don't even have to paint it after I install it.

Which brings me to installing. Once I drill out the original hinge screws do anyone have any suggestions about how to fasten this new hinge to the bulk head and door itself.

Dave

Len Silva · May 03, 2012, 06:59:40 AM

Quote from: Dave Siegel on April 30, 2012, 06:04:10 AM
Thanks guys, these are all great ideas and really brings to light why I hate it here in Southwest Florida. We have NO commercial door shops within 100 miles, we don't have a machine shop within 100 miles that will fabricate anything as small as a hinge (that is without charging me $500).

I guess I am going to have to wait until we move to Raleigh. I remember seeing all of those places you suggested while we were driving around checking the place out.

Jan has not heard any word about her job interview but we are hoping that this is the week we will hear.

Thanks again everyone.

Dave

Those machine shops are out there. They may be in some nondescript industrial area with just a small sign on the door and no advertizing, but they are around. And, those are the guys who will go way out of their way to help you at a very reasonable price. They can be hard to find, you have to start out by finding some of their potential customers and asking around.

Some of my best deals (and subsequent friendships) have been in those little fab shops in back of a warehouse or in a barn out in the boonies.

Dave5Cs · May 04, 2012, 10:27:48 PM

Dave you should be able to go back to that door shop and see if they have the attaching screws in ss whatever length you need. Tell them what kind of metal it is going in and how thick. You probably want a flat head self taping( with SS you still might have to drill a pilot hole first for each one a little smaller than the screw) Philips head, unless you can get a nut on the backside then get flat head bolts with washers and nuts.

Dave5Cs