dodge w100 door problems

[country_boy]

Both doors only open 40% of the time from the inside and from the outside only open 80% of the time. Is that a door latch malfunction?? I end of crawling out through the window like the duke boys.

 

[MadMo44Mag]

Most likely a latch issue.
Dodge latches leave some to be desired.

 

[country_boy]

Would it be better to get a door from the junk yard?

 

[MadMo44Mag]

No just get the latch assy NEW - they are cheap like 35.00 on most trucks.

 

[country_boy]

Well heres the problem Both doors sag,the drivers side is broken, and the window doesnt work right.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Hinges can be replaced rather easily. Window regulators - from the junkyard or dealer. The latches are sometimes just a matter of adjustment.

Trust Me on this....I have MANY years of bein' too broke ta pay attention!

 

[country_boy]

Ill look into the latches. I dont think its an adjustment. Whenever I try to lock them and then unlock them they wont open.The problem is Chrysler discontinued a lot of parts for these old rams. The hinges arent are whats broken the actual door is broken where the hinge bolts into.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Any way to reweld the broken parts? Ah've done that, too... BTW - check the frame around the steering box - I've seen the metal fatique out there, too.

 

[M. Sage]

It sounds like years of sagging door hinges caused someone to yank really hard on the doors, which will bend the rods that actuate the latches out of shape. I'd start there and with the hinges before spending more money than you have to.

 

[MadMo44Mag]

Sage is right. If the hinges are sagged out the latches are trash. They make hinge repair kits that can be found at most body supply and some auto parts stores.
Pull the door and ream out the holes and insert over sized bushing and / or pins. Replace the latch, good as new.
Have done hundreds of them - mostly on GM vehicles - LOL!!!
http://shop.northlandfasteners.com/N20544-Dodge-Truck-Door-Hinge-Bolt-Bushing-Repair-Kit-N20544.htm

 

[TexasRedneck]

Sounds to me like metal fatique has caused the door itself to fail. It CAN be rewelded though - a PITA but cheaper'n new doors!

 

[country_boy]

Well after looking at the door and reading the chry. factory manual, Ive figured it all out. The door will need to be welded on the bottom. The bottom hinge pin has a considerate amount of play(in an over sized hole. Like Madmo said put new bushings and straight pins. That should fix the sagging door. For the stripped window regulator, I have to drill out the blind rivets and then use 1/4 x 20 screws to reinstall the newer one. I guess guys while Im doing all this work I might as well replace the dry rotted seals on the bottom of the window glass and all the other weather stripping being the truck is 22 years old??

 

[country_boy]

Well I fixed the part that was pulled out of the door. Now Im drilling out the rivets and installing the newer regulator.