Just looking through all the junk I have saved on my computer.. I was just thinking and I decided to share with you guys how to do a vertical door conversion. I am not going to give you EXACTLY how to do it (I don't know myself), but a push start, so you can develop the idea, and how you can do it if you want to.

From doing a bit of searching, I came to a few spots. This is really at the Ferrari/Lambo kit cars page. These guys do the same thing, but it is somewhat easier for them (the fenders are flared, where the hinge should be.

Now what are some things you have to worry about?
1.) If the structure of both the door and the body can handle it (if there are good welds).
2.) The pressure of the shocks (if you use shocks)
3.) The door locks (the U-shaped latch)
4.) The corner of the door (when looking at the driver side door, think of the bottom right corner, when it swings out, it might rub against the body)
5.) The interior trim pieces
6.) The wiring harness
7.) Door sills (weather stripping)

You can go around #3, #4 and #5, if you make the door swing out, but you still have to do everything right, or else things won't look too good when the door pops-open, and takes off everything on the door, and gives you body damage. #2 is an easy fix, just make sure you know how much the door weighs (how heavy it is, with the glass, trim, EVERYTHING). #1 will ALWAYS be something you have to worry about, even if you are an expert welder. #6 is kind of an easy job, just cut the wires and splice in new oens (or you can go the cleaner way, but getting some connecters, and make a wiring harness). #7 is another thing that you have to worry about. I heard it is still a problem (somewhat), all you could do is put better weather stripping and rain guards.

This is a door kit for a Honda Civic 6th Gen (96-00). I would look at my 02 Civic 4 door hinges, and see if they are the same (so I can tell you which side is the correct side).


Here is another drawing. I e-mailed a guy who did some "scissor doors" or Lambo door or Vertical Doors on his Nissan Hardbody. He gave me a drawing on how he did it. His e-mail is: fullhse8@netscape.net


A great site, explaing some of the types of doors. Also, it teaches you how to properly size your struts that you are going to use.
http://www.statikdesign.com/scratchbuilt/body/doors.html

This is that Lambo Kit Car site. Cruise around their site, and you can get a better idea how its done.
http://lambolounge.com/Body/Door/hinge/body-door-hinge.asp

Hope that helps...

~Tacoman

That is some pretty good info, I think we will be having some people try this mod very soon, I love it... If your in a tight spot you can just open your door up. Alot of people dont know but, you have the option of opening up your door upward or like normal.