Fusing the Flappy Door

[Slapdash]

Hey Gang,

What's everyone's favorite fusing-the-flappy-door video, either here or YouTube? I want to keep the original door, that opens like a saloon door rather than a bi-fold closet, but have it open from the left. I don't like the look of the 'house' door, so want to keep it factory looking.

For reference, mine is a 2005 GMC with a Corbeil coach body.

Cheers,

Kris

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

how handy are you?
what tools do you have?
i dont know corbeil but have done that door conversion on a collins mid bus guide

[Slapdash]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

how handy are you?
what tools do you have?
i dont know corbeil but have done that door conversion on a collins mid bus guide

Pretty handy, but not a professional fabricator by any stretch. MacGyver-level rally car experience and full mini bus build, really.

I have a pro-level angle grinder, an HF grinder, jigsaws, an HF welder (flux, no gas), though I've only welded one thing (but it worked... sway bar end link on a Miata), HoleDozer hole saws, impacts, and a giant BFH if things go waaay wrong.

I know Collins absorbed Corbeil, but not sure if the doors are similar. I'm going to work on it now, so I'll bring back more details later, but I know there are piano hinges that go top to bottom, and easily-accessible gear/rod mechs above.

Thanks!

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by Slapdash

Hey Gang,

What's everyone's favorite fusing-the-flappy-door video, either here or YouTube? I want to keep the original door, that opens like a saloon door rather than a bi-fold closet, but have it open from the left. I don't like the look of the 'house' door, so want to keep it factory looking.

For reference, mine is a 2005 GMC with a Corbeil coach body.

Cheers,

Kris

Take a look at how I did my door build, post 105.

I used 1x2 tubing to make a frame and also utilized a piano hinge. I reused the hard "cloth" material that was already on the doors to cover the hinged area for a windbreak.

This was my first time ever building something like this and I do plan on redoing it because silly me, I took for granted the bus doorway was already square so now my door does not seal well on the top. Got a 1/2 gap on one side.
No big deal, will be much easier to redo now that I will make sure I square things up.

How would I do it differently ??

I would first build the frame, then fit in place to see if it fits.

then remove it and build the door within the frame on the work table.
Once built and put together I would put it in place , shim it and secure.

I didn't do that last time so that's why my door is a bit crooked. My choice of welding the second half of the door on the ground, outside of the frame, was my mistake. I should have had it in the frame and that would have ensured a good square, tight fit.

Overall, Iam happy with it but just gonna make it better!

[Slapdash]

Cool!

I like the idea of lengthwise tubing for the center pieces. I saw a video of another where they just bolted in angle iron, but side to side. When they opened the door, the center section still wobbled around.

I hear ya too on the 'build in place' scenario since nothing is plumb, square, or level, anywhere on these things!

Thanks for the photos and the link. Maybe I'll bust out the welder in the Spring and go bananas. I am lucky to have a welder-by-trade friend who hopefully has time to teach me the Play-Skool version of welding.

Thanks!

[peakbus]

I did a similar thing. Welded the two doors together but I welded on a 3/4" x 4" piece of rectangular tube at the rear of the door. This gave me more room to add the latch. I used to original hinge and seemed to work. I think welding an independent frame like ewo1 makes sense.
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/m...e-25399-3.html

[Slapdash]

Originally Posted by peakbus

I did a similar thing. Welded the two doors together but I welded on a 3/4" x 4" piece of rectangular tube at the rear of the door. This gave me more room to add the latch. I used to original hinge and seemed to work. I think welding an independent frame like ewo1 makes sense.
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/m...e-25399-3.html

Cool, thanks! I like that door handle too. We have it all locked up well, but it's a pain in the wazoo to deal with. I like the indy frame idea too.

Did you just put like universal automotive weather stripping to make the seals, or were you able to use the originals?

[peakbus]

I used the original door seals as on mine they were attached to the bus. Unfortunately I didn't get a long test as I sold the bus shortly after the door build.
The one problem I had was the door would swing open when the bus flexed on uneven ground. Using the deadbolt cured this. I wonder if building a door frame would lessen that issue. We'll see on the next one.

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by peakbus

I used the original door seals as on mine they were attached to the bus. Unfortunately I didn't get a long test as I sold the bus shortly after the door build.
The one problem I had was the door would swing open when the bus flexed on uneven ground. Using the deadbolt cured this. I wonder if building a door frame would lessen that issue. We'll see on the next one.

My deadbolt likes to unlock itself while driving. It sits nice and tight in the door frame but all the flexing and vibrations … it just happens !

While driving i keep it secured with a bungie cord, just for extra safety.

[Slapdash]

Originally Posted by peakbus

I used the original door seals as on mine they were attached to the bus. Unfortunately I didn't get a long test as I sold the bus shortly after the door build.
The one problem I had was the door would swing open when the bus flexed on uneven ground. Using the deadbolt cured this. I wonder if building a door frame would lessen that issue. We'll see on the next one.

Yep, we had a swinging-open-door issue as well. A little unnerving the first time it happened, but that hasn't been the first time a door has suddenly ajar'd itself on me. First time was when I was a kid, in the back seat of a Pinto no less.

Also yep, I like the frame and the deadbolt ideas.

Thanks!

[Slapdash]

Originally Posted by ewo1

My deadbolt likes to unlock itself while driving. It sits nice and tight in the door frame but all the flexing and vibrations … it just happens !

While driving i keep it secured with a bungie cord, just for extra safety.

Yikes! Maybe I'll have to use like seven deadbolts.

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by Slapdash

Yikes! Maybe I'll have to use like seven deadbolts.

LOL

No, just 7 bungie cords, much cheaper !

[Slapdash]

HAAA!!!

Weight savings too!

[Dbacks2k4]

Originally Posted by Slapdash

Hey Gang,

What's everyone's favorite fusing-the-flappy-door video, either here or YouTube? I want to keep the original door, that opens like a saloon door rather than a bi-fold closet, but have it open from the left. I don't like the look of the 'house' door, so want to keep it factory looking.

For reference, mine is a 2005 GMC with a Corbeil coach body.

Cheers,

Kris

I also hate the house door look, no knock on those who like it, personal preference.



Two options I'm considering on mine. First is the custom made RV door. Benefit is insulation and perfect fit.
https://youtu.be/nA5jvx67Ovs?si=G0HrCRgUVisLB2pl


These are a couple I've bookmarked for re-hinging the original doors:
https://youtu.be/FdNc-4BuIpE?si=d6qvyXSDpZ8jT-bN
https://youtu.be/2dXgHHpRtcA?si=zVt0QayIgu08mp6h

[Slapdash]

Originally Posted by Dbacks2k4

I also hate the house door look, no knock on those who like it, personal preference.



Two options I'm considering on mine. First is the custom made RV door. Benefit is insulation and perfect fit.
https://youtu.be/nA5jvx67Ovs?si=G0HrCRgUVisLB2pl


These are a couple I've bookmarked for re-hinging the original doors:
https://youtu.be/FdNc-4BuIpE?si=d6qvyXSDpZ8jT-bN
https://youtu.be/2dXgHHpRtcA?si=zVt0QayIgu08mp6h

Hey, thanks for the links, much appreciated!

I've been following Chuck for a bit now and he seems to know what he's doing. I've seen the other two names as well, but haven't seen any of these videos before, so thanks for that. Have to bone up on the welding skills as well, I guess!

[Gareth Ellis]

I kept the old door and love it, even if it is a heavy door.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cga0r38uqDb/?img_index=1

Originally Posted by Slapdash

Hey Gang,

What's everyone's favorite fusing-the-flappy-door video, either here or YouTube? I want to keep the original door, that opens like a saloon door rather than a bi-fold closet, but have it open from the left. I don't like the look of the 'house' door, so want to keep it factory looking.

For reference, mine is a 2005 GMC with a Corbeil coach body.

Cheers,

Kris

[Slapdash]

Thanks Gareth! I like to the original door look too, but I also like your RV door lock. Definitely going to look into that!