Tools and parts

Removing the top hinge loop

See fig. 1

You want to take the drill and small drill bit and drill holes along the top part of the hinge on the side that is fastened to the fender. This will make cutting the hinge go a lot more quickly. You don't have to drill the holes if you don't want to, but it takes a lot more time and uses up a lot more disks if you don't do it. (See figure 1)

Then drill another hole through the hinge and pin as shown (at the bottom of this part of the hinge and directly above the part of the hinge that is fastened to the door marked with an asterisk on the diagram). Now take your Dremel and cut through the holes in the hinge.

Cutting the pin

Take a chisel and a hammer and use it to push the cut piece up and off of the pin. You may have to split this piece to get it off or you can just push it up and out of the way with the chisel and cut the pin off from underneath it if you are using the carbide bit. (See figure 2)

Again, cut through the hole in the pin like you did on the hinge. Now that you have that piece off of there, you will need to grind the top corner of the hinge piece on the door at an angle. This needs to be done so that the door clears the indentation in the fender a little more easily.

Trimming the pin for proper length

You are almost done! After you cut all the hinges, you will want to open the door and use a floor jack to lift the doors up until the top of the hinge hits the indentation. At this point, you will want to drill a hole and cut the pin just below the hinge but as close to it as possible. (See figure 3)

This will make the pin the right length for you to easily remove your doors. It is a good idea to have somebody help steady the door on the jack so it doesn't fall off. Once you have the doors off, take the Dremel and smooth off the pin a little bit where you cut it. Use your sanding drum attachments to sand the pin down a little so the door doesn't fit so tightly on the pin. Then you will need to take the punch and tap the cut portion of the pin out of the hinge.

Now you have removable doors without the headaches associated with trying to remove the Phillips head screws that hold the hinges to the body. They are a royal pain in the butt to remove!

I hope this helps and makes some kind of sense! Email me if you have any questions.

--Kim Ley