Rebuilding lower hinges?

[Aaron65]

The driver's lower door hinge on my '65 Dart wagon has some slop, and I'd like to rebuild it, but I've read a lot of varying opinions on how best to do it (or have it done). It looks like Leo is only rebuilding '66 and up hinges, so does anybody have a decent method to DIY this thing? I appreciate any advice you can offer. Thanks!

Aaron

 

[mopowers]

Can you post a photo of them?

I know @Jim Kueneman has a description of how he rebuilt his on one of his early A builds. Maybe look through some of his posts.

Here's how I did mine on my '66, but they may be different than yours: Mopowers' 66 Dart Build

Some of the early A's mixed and matched hinges, so it would be helpful to see which ones your '65 has.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Yes, need to see the hinges. If they are the '63 to '65 style the lower hinge steel is HARDENED, HARDENED and more HARDENED. I personally would send it to Leo if I do another one. You need matching hardened bits to drill it out. Painful without the right tools.

 

[Aaron65]

Here's the hinge...sorry it's so dirty; the car is basically a beater.

 

[mopowers]

Looks like the earlier version that Jim was talking about. You can tell because the roller is on the body side instead of the double rollers one the door side. I'd send MoparLeo a message to see if he'd fix it for you.

Here's Jim's description of when he did his in his '63: 1963 Dodge Dart 270 Convertible for the Wife

 

[JDMopar]

I sent Leo my door hinges off my 65 Barracuda and he fixed them. As long as Leo is doing hinges.....I will never do another one myself! What you will get back from Leo when he is done with them is amazing!

 

[Aaron65]

Sounds like I'll check with Leo! I might wait until they salt around here so I don't have to lay the car up while I wait. Thanks guys...

 

[MoparLeo]

Yes I am doind 62 and up A & B-body front door hinges. Alll the same pricing. But I don't do only partial sets.
Just both front doors, top and bottom.
And yes the 62-65 A & B-body lowers were hardened plate steel.
I use speial Carbide and Coblat drill bits and reamers. Very expensive unless you do a lot of rebuilding, which I do.
Thanks for the recommendations from my happy customers. First class restorations done.
Leo