Pattern door hinges

[craigjm]

Does anyone know anywhere that makes modern versions of classic car door hinges? I have a Jaguar XJ coupe and to make the coupe doors they just welded one and a half saloon doors together which created an extremely heavy door yet still hung it with the same hinges as the saloon!

This means they are difficult to open and close and sag quite a bit. I would love to be able to get a set of (or get a set made to pattern) new hinges that are much stronger and than the originals. Any ideas?

[TallPaul]

I very much doubt you'll find pattern hinges, better to get a decent second hand set and then maybe get the pins out, have the holes reemed out and hardened inserts then new stronger pins made up.

[TooMany2cvs]

craigjm said:

Does anyone know anywhere that makes modern versions of classic car door hinges? I have a Jaguar XJ coupe and to make the coupe doors they just welded one and a half saloon doors together which created an extremely heavy door yet still hung it with the same hinges as the saloon!

This means they are difficult to open and close and sag quite a bit. I would love to be able to get a set of (or get a set made to pattern) new hinges that are much stronger and than the originals. Any ideas?

What causes the sag? Is it the front edge of the door shell bending, or the hinges themselves bending?

[rolando]

TooMany2cvs said:

What causes the sag? Is it the front edge of the door shell bending, or the hinges themselves bending?

…or the A post or whatever it's called. I recall they were renowned for sagging doors when relatively new.

[TooMany2cvs]

rolando said:

or the A post or whatever it's called.

Indeed, good call.

If it's the door shell or the pillar, strengthened hinges won't do anything.

The door shell can be fairly easily reinforced internally.
The pillar's going to be trickier.

[craigjm]

The hinges bend because they are really designed to carry less than half of the weight they do.

[TooMany2cvs]

craigjm said:

The hinges bend because they are really designed to carry less than half of the weight they do.

Sure, but the pillar and the door shell aren't designed for it, either.

It's definitely the hinges? Got a photo of them? They might be strengthenable.

[craigjm]

Everything is in bits at the moment at the restorers. was just looking for a way of making the doors easier as part of putting it back together.

[TallPaul]

Its been a good few years since I worked on those old Jags but would XJ40 hinges fit? I doubt your doors would be heavier than those!

[finlo]

Convert them to Lambo style for good taste.

[Yertis]

Or weld them shut Dukes of Hazzard / General Lee stylee.

[dbdb]

TallPaul said:

Its been a good few years since I worked on those old Jags but would XJ40 hinges fit? I doubt your doors would be heavier than those!

I can confirm having carried them about, that XJ40 doors are really heavy - to the extent that you have to be careful how you lift them. The door hinges are still available from Jaguar, should you wish to go down this route.

http://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/uk/jaguar-xj6-pa...

Edited by dbdb on Wednesday 31st August 12:52