Door Alignment

Hi Folks,

I bought a 2003 Tacoma Xtracab used. It was in a front ender and as such the front end was rebuilt (grille, fenders, rad, rad support, etc...).

The issue I'm having at the moment is door alignment. The doors close and lock fine, but they sit way out of alignment. The top and the bottom of the doors have big gaps, but where the lock meets the striker plate the door is flush.

I've tried moving the striker plate and door locks around but it's done little to help with the problem. Can the doors be adjusted where they bold onto the body? If so, how would I adjust them properly?

I've attached some photos so you can see what I mean.

Thanks in advance.

 

Having done body work for a living its hard to tell by looking at pictures, buts when the doors are closed what the gap at the front of the door look like where it meets the front fender?

If the door gap is sucked in further than the fender, I would adjust it out to where its even with the fender when shut, then see what the gaps look like at the rear of the door.

That be in said if your not sure what to do, a body shop should do the alignment,because your going to most likely make it worst that it is and gouge the paint.

A shop would most likely charge an hour a piece to do the alignment.

 

Thanks for the posts. The door is flush where it meets the fender and flush where the striker plate is, but it sticks out 1/4 inch at the top and the bottom. I bought the truck in an auction so I don't know the total history of the damage. I can see by looking at the front end that the fenders where replaced.

I tried playing around with the hinges, but it doesn't give me the adjustment I need. It seems like it needs some shims or washers to push the door hinge out a bit from the truck.

I'm not a body guy so this is new to me........

 

it was in a wreck man, deal with it. it was tweaked enough to have the doors function, the rest is cosmetic. i trust you got a great deal in the auction.

kirk out

 

It was a good deal, but I'd like to fix and repair any outstanding issues.........if the doors can be realigned, why not take the time to do it properly? Yes, they close, open and lock fine but with a new front end and paint job let's get er done right.

 

Loosen the 4 bolts that hold the hindge onto the body with the door closed you should be able to kinda move the doors a bit. Your going to need an extra set of hands for someone to hold it where you want it and you tighten down.

if that doesn't work..well..your cab is bent outa shape too which is very likey seeing as how the entire cab and front is all one piece like so..



in which case..you SOL sorta..