general question on suicide doors

has anyone ever installed one the aftermarket suicide door kits on a wagon or another car? or know someone who has.

i was just wondering what the experience was like. Pro installation price were all over the map ... up to 7K in one instance .

the price of the kits themselves are all over the map too from a couple of hundred bucks to this ultimate puppy.

Is price really an indicator of quality when it comes to these kits or is it a question of more money than brains?

btw the url in the link is to a very well done upsell webstore along the lines of mcdonald's 'would you like fries with that?' .. only more expensive.

 

You're not trying to make a Lincoln 4-door out of the 66, are you?

 

nah, storming norman.... i'm just open to any and all suggestions about what to do with a late 60s falcon wagon.... and suicide doors were one of the things that came up.

my next to do project though is just that fix up a 66 or 67 lincoln contintal convertible. :2_thumbs_up_-_anima but one project at a time!

 

You ought to find out if your Premier still has his 4-door Lincoln Convert -4-door. He campaigned in when he ran for Vancouver Mayor. We were members of the Jazz Club together. Didn't know him well, but he's was a hit with the gals.

Why not make it a Convertible wagon (AKA Phaeton)? Ranchero trim from back then is probably around to finish off the top rear edges.

 

yeah... those ford phaetons look great as to all the phaeton makes....

i'd consider making a topless wagon except that i already drive around in an 86 CJ convertible....

 

I don't think I would trust any aftermarket hinge kit. Would be almost impossible to reinforce the rear lock pillar properly to handle the weight of the hinge and the door. Probably very difficult to align as well. If you're serious about trying it, I would do a couple things:
-- Examine the workings closely on a car with the kit already installed, then put all your weight on the door and see if it's strong enough.
-- Check the alignment and door operation thoroughly.

 

yeah, Krash. i was wondering that myself. i was thinking that the only way it would work properly would be heavily reinforce the car's body in the new hinge area to reduce flex etc.