Door height question

[XploreNV]

Hi,

I have noticed that some patrols' doors sit taller than the quarter panel and some are the same height and sit flush. I kind of figured one was for a hard top configuration and one was for a soft top configuration but looking at pictures online it seems like it doesn't really matter. Some with the taller doors have a hard top, some have a soft top, and the same goes for the ones with the shorter doors. Maybe it depends on the year?

Does anyone have any insight into this?

-XploreNV

[RiverPatrol]

It has to do with the year. Up to '66 ½ the Patrol had the split doors that separated at the bevel line at the same height as the tub. After that only the window frame was removable. The doors are not really interchangeable between years. You could, but the doors wouldn't stay shut very well.

[XploreNV]

They don't really stay shut as it is lol. The right side quarter panel and door have clearly been replaced and the door handles and latch assembly are completely different. The post where the driver door latch assembly is bolted into looks like it has taken a pounding over the years and has a gaping hole. I am probably going to have to take it all apart, cut that chunk out and weld in a new piece of steel to bolt the latch onto so that the door can close properly. The prev. owner had a limiter strap that was bolted inside that he would flop outside, through the door handle and clip it back inside to keep the door closed.

I really like the way that the shorter style doors look in comparison to the doors that sit about 5 inches taller than the quarter panels. I wonder if it is possible to get CJ soft doors to work?

[RiverPatrol]

Yeah, the doors are one of the very frustrating areas for or US Patrols. The doors and latches changed 3 times in the short period that these trucks were brought in. That makes it difficult when someone wants to replace a door and don't realize the difference between years.

If you can post up some pics of the doors and latches we might be able to offer suggestions.

[XploreNV]

Here is a picture of the driver side door latch setup. Notice the nice gaping hole above the latch bracket lol

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Now here are pics of the passenger side door latch... This door closes as it should.. I am 100 percent sure one side of the Patrol's panels have been replaced... I havent quite figured out which side is original yet.

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[RiverPatrol]

The passenger door latch is the '68 and later style latch. The door probably has a little hump just rear of the outer door handle, and the outer door handle has a round push button on it. If someone replaced the 'B' pillar or even the left side of the tub, it looks like they did a decent job. From these pics I don't see any obvious metal work.

The driver's side, now that is a basket case.

[XploreNV]

Today I got the top half of the doors put back on and got the window glass in and functioning like it should, or at least as good as it is going to get for now.

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Also started grinding and sanding on the body to prepare it for paint. I am still contemplating how I am going to take care of the rust in the QP

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I took of the spare tire carrier to get a better look at the rust... yikes Also broke a bolt or 2 in the process... D'OH!

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Sending the windshield out tomorrow to get new glass.. Hopefully this doesnt cost me an arm and a leg

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Picked up this jump seat at a junkyard out of a landrover. I know it isn't a true jump bench seat but hey, beggars can't be choosers. It cost 20 bucks.

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Tomorrow I should have the rust cut out of the rear panel.

Won't have much time to work on it tomorrow, I'll actually be working and making money most of the day instead of spending all my time and money on this patrol. Clients tomorrow want to do a full restoration job on a 65 Fastback - should be fun! Here's the rendering my artist Chris Clark drafted up for it.

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[RiverPatrol]

That rear area behind the spare is a rust magnet. The reinforcement pieces allow moisture to collect and rot out the panels. Fortunately, your '67 still has the flat panels on the rear, so it's not too hard to cut and patch in new metal.

Sweet fastback.

[XploreNV]

Anyone have any ideas on door latches that would work? These ones teeth are pretty badly worn and dont latch very well. I'm going to have to cut those holes out of the pillar and weld in new metal to bolt the latch onto. I'd really like to be able to close the door and not worry about it flying open while driving around a corner. The previous owner used to have a dog leash that was tied around the seat that he would flop through the exterior door handle and back through to keep it closed.

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