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06-05-2019, 08:59 PM
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#1
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Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Manitoba Canada
Posts: 143
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Tomas
Engine: 7.3l
Rated Cap: 72
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How's everyone replacing their door
Just wondering what everyone's doing to solve the no good bus door problem. Thanks in advance
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06-05-2019, 09:07 PM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,831
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Minotour
Engine: Chevy Express 3500 6.6l
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I was considering that today. I’ll probably keep mine for now, but I did consider fastening the two halves together with square tubing and bolts and then unhinging one side. Of course it would be good to check that one side’s hinges can support the weight of both doors. Keep the bus look.
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06-05-2019, 09:11 PM
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#3
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danjo
I was considering that today. I’ll probably keep mine for now, but I did consider fastening the two halves together with square tubing and bolts and then unhinging one side. Of course it would be good to check that one side’s hinges can support the weight of both doors. Keep the bus look.
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I like the idea of being able to see the curb ( bush/tree/ditch/etc ) through that door pane - adds a bit of safety in tight places
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06-05-2019, 09:15 PM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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Keeping mine. I like having a clothes drying rack attached to the door!
I put a safety hasp on mine, padlock it shut when away.
Which isn't really relevant to your query. One door is rotted at the bottom, so I reckon that makes it a, "no good door..."
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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06-05-2019, 09:16 PM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danjo
I was considering that today. I’ll probably keep mine for now, but I did consider fastening the two halves together with square tubing and bolts and then unhinging one side. Of course it would be good to check that one side’s hinges can support the weight of both doors. Keep the bus look.
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That is what I am doing.
I have disassembled the hinges and I feel good about one hinge supporting the weight of the door.
I agree with Sledracer. I like the visibility the factory door gives me.
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06-05-2019, 09:21 PM
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#6
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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I thought, if I were to do it, I'd add an extra piano hinge or 2 for reinforcement.
The extra torque of the additional weight when open might be problematic for the originally designed hinges to handle.
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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06-05-2019, 09:56 PM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,349
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas 4 window w/lift
Chassis: G30~Chevy cutaway
Engine: 5.7/350 Chevy Vortec
Rated Cap: Just me and my "stuff"?
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I'd bet that the hinges on one side can support the weight of two doors together. Most everything is "overbuilt/engineered" to take the rough service that is inherent in the daily life of a skoolie.
At least I'm gonna try tying the doors together as one!
Additionally, removing the rat trap door closer will free up more room in front and make opening the doghouse engine cover inside 5x faster not having to disassemble the framework each time I want to go "under the hood" from the inside...
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06-05-2019, 10:01 PM
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#8
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Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Manitoba Canada
Posts: 143
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Tomas
Engine: 7.3l
Rated Cap: 72
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My problem is they dont seal very good. I think I'm going to make custom door with window and a small window like a semi has 
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06-05-2019, 10:27 PM
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#9
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogpondfoug
My problem is they dont seal very good. I think I'm going to make custom door with window and a small window like a semi has |
I'd like to get a commercial steel door with frame. like one half of this pair - tempered automotive glass of course
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06-05-2019, 10:34 PM
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#10
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleddgracer
I'd like to get a commercial steel door with frame. like one half of this pair - tempered automotive glass of course
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You could easily bend up a stepped door jam out of sheet metal and use an automotive grade weather strip to seal it air and water tight. I had to make upper and lower longer ones for my bus.
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06-06-2019, 12:24 AM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
You could easily bend up a stepped door jam out of sheet metal and use an automotive grade weather strip to seal it air and water tight. I had to make upper and lower longer ones for my bus.
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that would be quite possible Marc
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06-06-2019, 07:46 AM
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#12
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Almost There
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: BZN, MT
Posts: 93
Year: 1982
Coachwork: Ford
Chassis: E-350; 4x4 Minibus
Engine: 351c.i.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
That is what I am doing.
I have disassembled the hinges and I feel good about one hinge supporting the weight of the door.
I agree with Sledracer. I like the visibility the factory door gives me.
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That's my plan as well. When I got the mini, one side of the door wasn't opening with the door arm mechanism anyway. When I opened it up, I found the all-thread on one side was sheared. Either someone REALLY wanted out or over the years it became bound up under wear and tear. Either way, I'd have to do nearly as much work to repair it as I would turning it into a one-way hinged, swinging door.
__________________
-Travis & the DawgBüs
<<1982 E-350 cutaway, Collins Bantam ext. body, Maximum 4x4 F-350 drivetrain conversion>>
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06-06-2019, 05:39 PM
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#13
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Maryland
Posts: 13
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I like this idea. I saw video and it works.
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06-06-2019, 05:45 PM
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#14
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Billings, MT
Posts: 1,269
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: HDX
Engine: Cat C7
Rated Cap: 84 passenger
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I priced a storm door with laminated glass and three latches for $250.
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06-06-2019, 06:10 PM
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#15
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Maryland
Posts: 13
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a full glass storm door is a good option. Alot of the replacement doors Im seeing just have one window at eye view. I'm paranoid that without the driver having full view in that blind spot is asking for trouble.
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06-06-2019, 06:26 PM
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#16
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,494
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444E 7.3L
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I am also planning on doing something with my door, but I also want to remove the lower step for better ground clearance. Haven't came up with a plan yet.
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06-07-2019, 11:15 AM
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#17
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Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Manitoba Canada
Posts: 143
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Tomas
Engine: 7.3l
Rated Cap: 72
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I Like the whole glass door idea, but how strong could it be. I should mention I live in northern Canada and it's cold lol
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06-07-2019, 11:28 AM
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#18
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Maryland
Posts: 13
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It seems like the door is an issue. No matter what climate either its letting out hot air, cold air, or letting in bugs. It rattles at high speeds, and has no security, so I see why everyone wants to replace it. The question is, replace it with what? Something that keeps the aesthetics of the bus look, with security and insulation.
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06-07-2019, 11:28 AM
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#19
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogpondfoug
I Like the whole glass door idea, but how strong could it be. I should mention I live in northern Canada and it's cold lol
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they have doors in northern Canada don't they? - lol - I was thinking double glass commercial steel doors - could always hang drapery over the door when parked in the winter - where are you from Frogpond?
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06-07-2019, 05:57 PM
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#20
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Oklahoma aka "God's blind spot"
Posts: 2,446
Year: 1989
Coachwork: 1853FC International/Navistar
Chassis: 35' Retired Air Force Ambulance
Engine: DT466, MT643
Rated Cap: 6 souls and a driver
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogpondfoug
Just wondering what everyone's doing to solve the no good bus door problem. Thanks in advance
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Flipped mine in 2016 for full time living... ZERO problems and use it many times a day!
Wouldn’t want it any other way
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f10/on...or-6272-2.html
Same goes for my door lock set up
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/lo...s-14494-3.html
Also note... when I set the lock, I pre-loaded the door against the rubber side gasket... absolutely no rattles while driving.
Very minor inconvenience of pressing my knee against the door when I’m locking or unlocking it.
I’ve usually got my hands full of crap when I’m unlocking the door, and I’ve never had an issue
__________________
I once complained I had no shoes....
Until I met a man with no feet
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