Sorry to get your thread muddy again Chris. For the rest of my time here I will try my best to totally ignore ignorance, focus on the matter at hand, and help make DIY vertical doors a reality!

I have to admit I'm curious as to how a 3"x3" hinge will move an ~80lb. door, out 8" and up with AJ's syncroblahblah setup.
From that animation I made, there is no outward movement.
If you want to help, post your ideas AJ.

Anyway, even my U-Joint hinge can be made with cheap metal working tools...will need a welder though.
I just happen to be getting a fancy piece of equipment to make my air bag setup.

quote Originally posted by toddshotrods: Sorry to get your thread muddy again Chris. For the rest of my time here I will try my best to totally ignore ignorance, focus on the matter at hand, and help make DIY vertical doors a reality!

yeah same here..

quote Originally posted by Joe Torma: I have to admit I'm curious as to how a 3"x3" hinge will move an ~80lb. door, out 8" and up with AJ's syncroblahblah setup. From that animation I made, there is no outward movement. If you want to help, post your ideas AJ. Anyway, even my U-Joint hinge can be made with cheap metal working tools...will need a welder though. I just happen to be getting a fancy piece of equipment to make my air bag setup.

lol.... I only mentioned 2 demensions. there is 3.

remember, you will need to be able to make stops for your hinge. both of you... which sometimes can be very simple, or very complicated.

[This message has been edited by AJ7 (edited 04-15-2007).]

"you makes me not want to participate sometimes" this would not be good. Considering your the most productive person in this thread. I love watching these designs get better and better! good thread! Another week or so and i think we will be ready to make a trip to the hardware store. Maybe get something together. If i had my door bushings i would be more than happy to get the door off but Im pretty focused on trying to get my 3800 running. Its still not getting fuel. I have the vats bypass thing hooked up and everything. Still no fuel but It runs good on ether lol. Maybe if we get a hold of archie, i bet he has a few cars with the doors off?
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[This message has been edited by Chris Hodson (edited 04-16-2007).]

I guess I'll start working on some drawings today... It will take me about 2-3 hrs though. It will be every part peice by peice and then a whole. You will be able to make it/have it made (will need welder, possibly a press, and something to cut 1/2" steel with, a good drill might help too..) for under $400.

Bump......Interesting topic keep up the good work.

As we get actual measurements, I will do my best to tailor my design to fit and work properly on a Fiero. My most important thing to remember is that I am just trying to communicate the basic idea here. If someone wants to attempt it, they can modify it however they choose. That's the beauty of open-source products. Improvements are driven by real world use. Just post your efforts and results for others to share. That goes even for an enterprising business person who sees it and wants to make money off of it. Just don't hide your work - share! There are people who sell their own versions of open source software. People buy them because they don't want to, or can't, do what the company is offering themselves.

Sad thing is I had two parts car sitting here last year, stripped down to the space frame. I could have tried a mock up on one of them. I may still have some pictures though. I'll look for them later. Pictures of the hinge area would also help our communication here.

I've decided against doing this on the Camaro, for now, because the season is just around the corner and I have too much other stuff to do; just to get back on the road. The only other thing I have around that this would work on is a Chevy truck cab. The hinges are welded on it though and I am not going there; just for an experiment.

As far as cutting the parts - check with your local rental places. The ones in my area rent 110v MIG welders, torches, and plasma cutters. Even if you can't weld you can use the MIG or torch to tack it together and take it to a professional welder (recommended for thick steel holding 80lbs over your head anyway ). If you cut with the plasma or torch, cut outside the lines and grind down to them. You can buy soapstone markers and cheap grinders somewhere like Harbor Freight. The biggest key is take your time and do good work. When you get stressed out or tired, stop and come back when you're fresh. Measure, and recheck, five hundred times - then once or twice more to be sure.

I really think the best solution for the parts is to do this in groups. Then you can purchase a sheet, or sheets, of 1/2-inch steel and have a bunch of them cut by water jet. Perfect parts that just need to be welded up and installed. If we do the ground work properly here, even the mounting holes can be cut; and as I mentioned before alignment slots and/or marks. That would be a great do-it-yourself kit. Just make sure your dealing with people you trust.

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toddshotrods.com - wanna ride?
crazy projects, features, articles, art & more

[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 04-16-2007).]

todd keep up the good work. I told my self i was going to stop the aj bashing but he keeps crossing the line. i love that he has been working on nothing for years,you on the other hand have the tools and know how to make this work. I have know problem with aj adding to this thread. the problem is not one post he has made added to it. once you get some mock ups let me know i will try to cut some out on the plasma and give it a go

quote Originally posted by chrisgtp: todd keep up the good work. I told my self i was going to stop the aj bashing but he keeps crossing the line. i love that he has been working on nothing for years,you on the other hand have the tools and know how to make this work. I have know problem with aj adding to this thread. the problem is not one post he has made added to it. once you get some mock ups let me know i will try to cut some out on the plasma and give it a go

this is why I'm not posting anything on them anymore. only if someone asks.

I thought I had better pics. This is the only one I have that gives any clue what the hinge are looks like.


I'll keep adding what I can until we get some accurate measurements to work off.

88 Coupe
Between the door and spaceframe is a little under 5 inches.
From Highest point of the top hinge to lowest of the bottom is a little over 14 inches.
I'm not exactly understanding what your looking for on the other measurement.
Those were just a couple quick measurements I'll try to get some more exact later today.

Thanks Silent - that was quick! I also "borrowed" a couple pics from one of the other vertical threads for reference.


I'll mark one of these later to clarify the other measurement, I'm out of time for now...

[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 04-16-2007).]

progress? I got pics but my camera broke

quote Originally posted by Chris Hodson: progress? I got pics but my camera broke

You mean the pics are stuck in your camera, or you can't take them? I haven't had a free minute to do anything since my last post. I shouldn't even be here now

bump. dont wanna let this one die.

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Difficult takes Strength, Impossible takes weakness

having an import that can run 11's...is kinda like comming out of the closet....your going to suprise a lot of people....but in the end your still gay

What a passanger would say in nascar "Say man, can I turn on the radio? You should go faster. Why do we gotta keep going in circles? Can I put my feet out the window? Man, you really like Tide...”

Living with a conscience is like driving a car with the brakes on.

Sorry I haven't had time to do more work on this guys. Here's another shot at what I requestd for the third measurement. I hope this makes sense; if not just ask me to clarify again...

When I look at my truck cab and doors, and my Honda, I understand why the standard vertical door hinges are made the way they are. There is not much room to work with. For a Fiero-specific design, however, there is enough available space to make a more sturdy hinge. For companies who already manufacture vertical hinges, it makes sense that they would just adapt thier current design; because engineering a complete new design for a limited application doesn't make sense, financially. My Camaro has even more room than the Fiero, but as I stated I don't think I will be doing vertical doors on it any time soon. I am looking at my other projects, or finding a brave local guinea pig , to try my idea out on.

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toddshotrods.com - wanna ride?
crazy projects, features, articles, art & more

[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 04-23-2007).]

I was looking for something in my "My Pictures" folder and came across this. I don't even remember where I got these pics. Just figured I'd throw them in here. It looks like they extend outward, slide forward, and pivot up!

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toddshotrods.com - wanna ride?
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That is seriously the most bad a$s lookin rod ive ever seen.

I never found any more information on it. I tried to find more pics when I first saw it, but couldn't - and eventually gave up. When I decided that vertical doors were not any option for my Camaro, I started thinking about them for my street rod. I was just concerned with whether or not the concept would be out of place on a street rod. Work for his huh?

[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 04-24-2007).]

Bump! I haven't had much time to do anything more than think about this, but I have not forgotten...

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toddshotrods.com - wanna ride?
crazy projects, features, articles, art & more

Same here, i just been focusing on getting my car drivable. But the gears are still turning. No rush nothing has to happen today.

This thread isn't dead yet.

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It's like fine wine...

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toddshotrods.com - wanna ride?
crazy projects, features, articles, art & more

Here's an idea... Minivan style doors on the Fiero...
LMAO


Open the door, and it either slides forward or backwards alongside the Fiero.

I have an idea for it, but it would involve modifying the bottoms of the doors.

Have any pics of it? share it with us!

Hmm so what happened to the DIY designs.

quote Originally posted by InTheLead: Hmm so what happened to the DIY designs.

My ideas are itching to be born, my time is MIA... On top of my normal impossible agenda, we took a newborn foster child in a few weeks ago. He requires what was left of the time I didn't have.

quote Originally posted by Chris Hodson: WELL.. i didn't get around to welding anything up. Im still at a lack of parts. But look at these bad a$$ hinges i do think these could work for something....Besides a hotel door... Im still lookin for some more junk i could use. Ideas?

I work as a general contractor in commercial and industrial construction. The hinges you are showing are great ball bearing hinges. The people saying they won't last aren't familiar with anything but house hinges, which aren't even close to the quality of commercial hinges. We hung an x-ray room door on three of that type of hinges about 6 years ago. It was basically a wood slab door with a lead sheet in the center. It weighed about 400 pounds. The door still works today and is just fine.

I can look through our extra parts stockpile and see if i have any leftover hinges. I probably do. Would you still like one to experiment with?

SWEET!!!!!!!! I knew those hinges were BadA$$! Told ya guys lol. Now i can put these back into my design lol. WHOOT. THIS THREAD lives ON!

A foster child? NEAT! HOW old is he/she?

Im still waiting on sliding door ideas lol thats kinda neat. I have a mental movie of this happening and.. well its pretty cool.

quote Originally posted by Chris Hodson: ...A foster child? NEAT! HOW old is he/she?...

Thanks, he'll be one month old tomorrow (some of the things he does)

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toddshotrods.com - wanna ride?
crazy projects, features, articles, art & more

wow nothing since july? did you guys give up?

Ok, this has been killing me. I understand the dynamics behind the different style of doors, but was wondering if you had a pneumatic system in place, would that cure a lot of the issues? It seems that a lot of the problem is that the struts most people are using are not powerful enough to lift the heavy weight of a door, or are too expensive etc. My idea has been to remove the majority of my AC system, but keep the compressor in place, hook that up to a regulated containment tank, and use the sustained high air pressure from that to activate inexpensive pneumatic struts on my doors. Since I removed the fuel tank from my car, that is where I am planning on placing the air cylinder. I am going for the butterfly door since the other systems appear too difficult for me to fab myself, and like Chris originally stated, I too want to make these myself, with easily obtainable parts.

As with all the other projects on my car, I will try and keep you posted, but I do bits on each at a time... as money and time allows me to. HOWEVER, I do have a deadline! My car WILL be finished by July as I have "permission" from my better half to drive all the way from here to the 25th anniversary (and yes, back home afterwards!) In fact, she has supported me a lot recently (I think she just wants me to finish the damned thing!).

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Phil
Always trying to create something new!
Philero ~ Phil and his Fiero, melding into one (soon to be my license plate too!)

Oh hayull no, this thread ain't dyin'.... C'mon, I just read 4 pages to get to this?!?!? No friggin way!
Please tell me you haven't abandoned this yet...

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Journal of a concept: http://southeastfieros.com >>> Build Thread >>> Parts thread (for project funding)

HA, its to cold to mess around with this right now. Well for me at least, i don't have a heated garage. Things are looking up though, i acquired a oxy acetylene welding setup !!!! I will have my doors off when the snow goes away so i can take measurements. I have about 300 lbs of surgical aluminum in big bricks, i was thinking i could sell a few when aluminum is up and i could buy some machining stuff but that would defeat this whole thread... I have faith in those hospital door hinges and a small wheel hub I got a **** ton of struts laying around now along with various bits and pieces i think that could be used. I wonder what Todd has been up to? This thread wont die as long as someone wants it to happen lol.

quote Originally posted by Chris Hodson: HA, its to cold to mess around with this right now. Well for me at least, i don't have a heated garage. Things are looking up though, i acquired a oxy acetylene welding setup !!!! I will have my doors off when the snow goes away so i can take measurements. I have about 300 lbs of surgical aluminum in big bricks, i was thinking i could sell a few when aluminum is up and i could buy some machining stuff but that would defeat this whole thread... I have faith in those hospital door hinges and a small wheel hub I got a **** ton of struts laying around now along with various bits and pieces i think that could be used. I wonder what Todd has been up to? This thread wont die as long as someone wants it to happen lol.

With no intention of hijacking, I already have my doors off. In fact, if you look at my build thread, there isn't a whole lot of a car for me to work on... So, what measurements do you need? I can give you all the measurements and pics you want, just let me know what you need (and quit being lazy... ).

Four pages that led up to this. I also have high hopes that you can accomplish this. When I read how much Archie is asking for lambo doors, I shat myself. I will clean it up in a moment! Keep working on your ideas Chris. Your posts are cool. Also, that AJ guy had some very interesting computer drawings. I spent more than a few years in robotics and automation. A lot of folks did not like his ideas. I believe he is on the right track. I kept going over the drawings, and believe there is substance there. I am not even going to try and point out the folks who just throw $$$$$ at their ides to make it work. Shat, I could do that too. But I would rather spend way more than the price for the lambo doors trying to do it my way, than pay up the a$$ for someone to weld a few brackets on an exsisting product, then charge more than double. I am not being a d1ck here. I think that folks who throw money at things, inspire us that don't. And there are some sweet rides out there. So please, don't anyone take offense. I will never knock another for what they have, or don't have. Good luck to all.

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Tony K

Welcome to the forum Tony, You guys are going to make me go out in the cold aren't you lol. Id rather make more drawings first Im not exactly sure what measurements i need just yet ive been away form this for a while.... Ill think about it Thank you.


HA you should just screw some door hinges into the top of your door and sides of your a pillar hahahaha, i still cant get over that picture.

Here's a joint project with 88lambofiero.





Me and Jesse (88lambofiero) put this together. He needed a weld project for welding school. This is the 1st generation. The second set he did had a machined block. I don't have pictures, however the doors do work nice. We have the bolt hole patterns all figured out, however we don't have the bracket that would weld to the swing arm perfected for a true bolt on hinge. This is the only thing left to figure out. He has a price of $600.00 on these hinges.(All brackets and gas struts) I have an old 86 sport coupe in the garage that we thought would be a good candidate to figure it out on. The problem is we need a garage with a welder to finish it out. The photos are of the Dells Run and we went to the 25th also. The biggest problem we had was clearing the fender. Since we are trying to make these specifically for the Fiero we hope to have all the clearance issues resolved. It will help when I get Solid Works at work. Then I can fabricate these on the computer screen instead of cutting and trimming etc...

Chris were you at the Heartland show? Jesse's car was there. We will be hitting the local shows next summer for sure (Dells, Heartland, and Fierorama) If anyone wants to check things out.

Rich