1973 - 1975 K5 Door Angles

[Coontail]

I'm doing the full top conversion on my 91 and I've been searching all over for the measurements on the top section of the 73 doors and I can't seem to find it anywhere

If someone could provide some measurements you get a free smooch



I stole these pictures off of nvrenufs post

 

[jimmyleetn]

What measurements do you need exactly from the door top? do you want me to use a tape measure and post some just like what you have in those pictures? I am also getting ready to do the conversion but I did mine a little backwards from you. I bought the top the windshield frame and the doors first before the truck haha. As for your case I do have the doors about 20 ft from me right now in my garage if you want me to go measure. One of them was cut down to replace the OE door, but the other I know for a fact is the OE door. I got it for a template for when I get ready to do the conversion. If you need pictures of the bracketry inside that holds the window channel together and the one that sures up the door I can take the cap off and take some pictures of those too if you want.

 

[Coontail]

About a month too late! Lol

I bought the end caps and everything became pretty clear. Though you could post some well lit up pictures without the cap on for future reference for someone else.

Make sure you start a build thread in case you don't have one already so you can dump lots of pictures

 

[jimmyleetn]

Oh man I totally read that as October 7th not September 7th. Once I find a late model Blazer I like and can afford I had planned on making a build thread. I'll post the pictures on here anyways tomorrow for future reference if anyone searches the forum looking for the information. Hope your conversion is going well. I've got a fantastic fabricator lined up to do mine. Just waiting on the rest to fall into place.

 

[Coontail]

Oh man I totally read that as October 7th not September 7th. Once I find a late model Blazer I like and can afford I had planned on making a build thread. I'll post the pictures on here anyways tomorrow for future reference if anyone searches the forum looking for the information. Hope your conversion is going well. I've got a fantastic fabricator lined up to do mine. Just waiting on the rest to fall into place.

Thank you and good luck!

Once the pictures are on here I'll change the title of the post so I'm no longer prostituting myself

 

[jimmyleetn]

Coontail stop whoring yourself out. I got the measurements! Ok here's a run down of what everyone needs to know when cutting these doors down to match a 73-75 Blazer or Jimmy as far as measurements are concerned. Also, note that these photos are off an original factory door I got (for free) when I bought the top to do a full convertible (full vert) conversion. This door was off a 74' GMC Jimmy. What I noticed was that when it was cut in the GM factory, they weren't as precise as you would think so if you're off a little, like a 1/16 or a degree on your angles, you're probably fine. I would err on the side of caution though and not cut too much when you start. Having the caps for the doors will be helpful guides as well.

Ok here here goes:

First, the cut on the pillar of the door should follow the angle of window channel attached to the vent window and be flush/straight with it. You'll see this in photos 7 & 8.

Second, there are two angle cuts on the front pillar fo the door. I got the angles in the picture by using iGaging's digital protractor and measured using my best tape measurer. I'm a woodworker on the side and I have lots of tools that are extremely precise. Remember too, if you're off a degree or so or a 1/16th off it's not the end of the world.

Third, the cut on the lower back part of the door was hard to get the measurements for the angle since it's curved. I couldn't reference the bottom of the door to give you and exact height since it had a huge dent and the bottom had completely rusted away. The angle should be accurate however you probably have some wiggle room either way. I measured form the interior side of the door. This can be seen in photo 9. I would take my time here and slowly grind it down until the top fits in a way that won't slowly destroy the rubber seals when you open and close the door. You'll probably notice it isn't 90degrees. This allows for a more firm fit of the rubber seal on the fiberglass top and the cap on the door. There's a 3 part youtube video full of lots of cussing where a guy explains how he cut down some doors and he talks about this. You can search that on your own, it's easy to find.

I hope this helps anyone looking to do a conversion or just replace their old full vert doors. The original 73-75 Blazer/Jimmy doors only differ from other doors besides being cut in that they have two brackets inside. One is structural and for the cap to attach to and the other is for the window channel make sure you get these or your windows won't line up and your door will be flimsy and probably break/bend when it's closed causing you to have to do this all over again. This can be done to any 73-76 or 77-91 door just salvage or fab the parts I mentioned about the OE doors. The only difference in 73-76 doors vs 77-91 doors is the way the interior panels fit and room for an electric motor. There are lots of threads on that here and on other forums. Good luck!!!

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Good info!

 

[Coontail]

I wish I had this info when cutting mine!

Sticky worthy?

 

[jimmyleetn]

I wish I had this info when cutting mine!

Sticky worthy?

Whatever will make this where people can easily find it and use it as a guide. I'm surprised there's not another post with these measurements already on this forum.

I learned a lot just getting the measurements. I feel very confident I could cut down new doors and make them work based on these measurements and having my other door as a template. What I am still nervous about doing is attaching the windshield frame to the later model Blazer. My windshield frame is not the best so we will have to patch part of the pillar and use as little as possible of the pillars. I'm glad I have a seasoned fabricator doing it and not me. He restores hotrods and muscle cars for a living. When that time comes if I'm there when he does it I will take pictures so people can see how we did it. I had a hard time finding a windshield frame that was close by that wasn't hacked all to crap. When I start my build thread I will post a picture of the donor vehicle. I almost had to go get a tetanus shot when I was cutting parts off of it. Stepped right into jagged piece of inner rocker. Making memories lol.