Installing a passenger door

If this is the wrong place to put this, I apologise.

My Camaro was 'totalled' by the insurance company when I was in an accident, and gave me cash to fix it myself if I'd like it. I love my Camaro, wouldn't give it up for anything. Though I don't know much about car specifics, I'm pretty good with electronics. I was wondering...is installing a passenger door really difficult for a noob like me, should I leave it to the professionals? The way I see it, there's two hinges I need to dismount to take off the original door after I undo the wiring, then hook up the wires to the new one, and mount it. Is that it? Is the wiring simple?

Sorry if that was a bit much...I just spent 35 minutes Googling for an answer, so I decided I'd stop by a Camaro forum :)

Thanks for any help.

Yes it is that simple, I believe all the wiring in the door is just connectors to plug into. Aligning the door is a real pain though...it will take a while so be very patient.

Yes it is that simple, I believe all the wiring in the door is just connectors to plug into. Aligning the door is a real pain though...it will take a while so be very patient.

Correct, alligning the new door will be the hard part. Make sure you test-fit it before you have it painted. You dont want to be messing around trying to make it fit after it has been painted. It is necessary to remove the front fender to gain access to some of the hinge bolts.

remove the fender

bolt on the door

Use the bolts that hold the hinge to the carbody to adjust the door up-down paying attention to how well the latch lines up. Make sure it is not dragging on the latch. Also make sure the gap at the rocker panel is consistant.

If necessary, adjust the latch striker in the door jamb to line up the door with the quarter panel

now use the bolts that hold the hinge to the door to adjust the front of the door in and out. Pay attention to how it lines up with the rocker panel and how the mirror pocket fits in the weatherstripping.

Reinstall the fender and line it up to the door

adjust the window so it seals properly. Rob (shoebox) has great technical aids on his website explaining how to adjust the window.

I would recommend finding a good paint shop that can match paint perfectly. Have them paint the door seperate from the car, then you can just bolt it on. Or, you can have them just edge it (paint the jambs) then install it and take the entire car to the body shop to have them paint the door and blend it into the fender and quarter.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum!

I installed it successfully :D. Thanks for the detailed post Tabahr & thanks for the quick reply Kataklysm.