Window Reinforcement

[TahoeTim]

I wanted to open this discussion again. I am wondering what the purpose of the inside strengthening plate is for? I am concerned about cracking the door skin if I tighten up the single hinge bolt against the vpn tape. Leaving that bolt only snug kinda eliminates the need for that plate.

I searched and found this thread and am thinking a metal plate between the door skin and the frame at the two hinge locations might be a good mod.

thoughts?

[jrevens]

I wanted to open this discussion again. I am wondering what the purpose of the inside strengthening plate is for? I am concerned about cracking the door skin if I tighten up the single hinge bolt against the vpn tape. Leaving that bolt only snug kinda eliminates the need for that plate.

I searched and found this thread and am thinking a metal plate between the door skin and the frame at the two hinge locations might be a good mod.

thoughts?

I thought of that too, Tim. I fabricated some aluminum "washers", or spacers, of the proper thickness to allow the hinge to be tightened solidly to the frame while just very lightly contacting the plastic. I have the standard Lexan doors, & I enlarged those holes to give clearance for those "washers".

[TahoeTim]

Makes perfect sense. I was thinking about another plate that matches the back plate and eliminating the sticky tape in that area. But I do like the washer idea too since the lexan would still be floating rather than clamped behind the hinge.

Thanks