BMW E36 rear doors - where to cut? - Drifting forum

Daddy_D · 05-08-2008, 21:25

Can you give me idea what exactly to do with the doors for best result based on what I'm planning? I want to gut the doors and put polycarbonate but that won't happened till I get to another country in Europe. Basically I'm removing everything glass, electric motor, crash bar, sound deadening and of course the bar that separate the windows (will run a full piece). Now here is the photo:

My options are two.
Option 1: cut the entire frame and loose the door handle and locking wire running across. I still want the door to open from inside and car must lock. If I do this where to place the strong metal wires with theft safety in mind?
Option 2: cut the entire frame without the handle and possibly cut the locking wire where crossed (it's held by the black bit) and lock/unlock by moving it back and forward? Any ideas appreciated

Another thing I meant to ask you is if I remove the motor and frame now, how do I need to do it when window is up or down? Also how do I make the glass stay up without support and to last for the whole trip?

Daddy_D · 06-08-2008, 17:31

Can nobody advice me at least on how to keep the windows up once I remove the motor? I'm thinking to go for option 2 when I start cutting.

Jimthejunior · 06-08-2008, 18:16

Option 1( i think) cut everything out, then holesaw it along the bottom, check wanders e36 thread and copy that. As for the window if your going polycarb make a simple bracking that stops it dropping down and seal em up with tha silicone.

Daddy_D · 07-08-2008, 11:34

Thanks Jim, I just saw his project and I understand what you mean:

It's not a bad idea but I kinda wanted the door to be able to open. It's nice to stick some scaffolding pipes in the back, so this way my car is not dedicated drifter but also a mini van.

tetsujin · 07-08-2008, 13:18

in fairness, if its not a dedicated drift/track car, why bother??

Daddy_D · 07-08-2008, 13:58

Because it's nice to drive off in the same car while the rest are loading the cars on their trailers. Or are you asking why bother cutting the piece of metal?

tetsujin · 07-08-2008, 14:10

Yeah,

Why cut the doors up for minimal, prob not even noticable difference, except for the time and cost to fit poly windows and maybe even reduce the price of the car if you plan to sell it?

Basically, just keep it like it is for all the bother if its a daily aswell as a track/drift car.

Daddy_D · 07-08-2008, 15:03

Ah I got you tetsujin, I think the main reason to do this will be probably A) easy to get the arm and glass off when I'm done B) Next monday I'm spraying the car so it's easier to move the gun around. About after sale, I doubt that will be possible as the car has a lot of stuff removed now that can never be fitted back. When I'm finish I will start a project thread with all the little jobs done.

And no I wasn't thinking I'm gonna say weight by doing this, unless that bar inside the doors is a solid piece.

RUSS R33 · 18-08-2008, 21:31

Theres an aluminium chanel attatched to the bottom of the glass that attatches to the mechanism. You could remove this, bond the polycarbonate to it, then screw through the inner door into the aluminium to fix it in place.

05-08-2008, 21:25	#1 (permalink)
Daddy_D D1 street king Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,163	BMW E36 rear doors - where to cut? Can you give me idea what exactly to do with the doors for best result based on what I'm planning? I want to gut the doors and put polycarbonate but that won't happened till I get to another country in Europe. Basically I'm removing everything glass, electric motor, crash bar, sound deadening and of course the bar that separate the windows (will run a full piece). Now here is the photo: My options are two. Option 1: cut the entire frame and loose the door handle and locking wire running across. I still want the door to open from inside and car must lock. If I do this where to place the strong metal wires with theft safety in mind? Option 2: cut the entire frame without the handle and possibly cut the locking wire where crossed (it's held by the black bit) and lock/unlock by moving it back and forward? Any ideas appreciated Another thing I meant to ask you is if I remove the motor and frame now, how do I need to do it when window is up or down? Also how do I make the glass stay up without support and to last for the whole trip?

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06-08-2008, 17:31	#2 (permalink)
Daddy_D D1 street king Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,163	Can nobody advice me at least on how to keep the windows up once I remove the motor? I'm thinking to go for option 2 when I start cutting.

06-08-2008, 18:16	#3 (permalink)
Jimthejunior Represent Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,944	Option 1( i think) cut everything out, then holesaw it along the bottom, check wanders e36 thread and copy that. As for the window if your going polycarb make a simple bracking that stops it dropping down and seal em up with tha silicone.

07-08-2008, 11:34	#4 (permalink)
Daddy_D D1 street king Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,163	Thanks Jim, I just saw his project and I understand what you mean: It's not a bad idea but I kinda wanted the door to be able to open. It's nice to stick some scaffolding pipes in the back, so this way my car is not dedicated drifter but also a mini van.

07-08-2008, 13:18	#5 (permalink)
tetsujin Johnny 5 ALIVE Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North West England Posts: 3,249	in fairness, if its not a dedicated drift/track car, why bother??

07-08-2008, 13:58	#6 (permalink)
Daddy_D D1 street king Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,163	Because it's nice to drive off in the same car while the rest are loading the cars on their trailers. Or are you asking why bother cutting the piece of metal?

07-08-2008, 14:10	#7 (permalink)
tetsujin Johnny 5 ALIVE Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North West England Posts: 3,249	Yeah, Why cut the doors up for minimal, prob not even noticable difference, except for the time and cost to fit poly windows and maybe even reduce the price of the car if you plan to sell it? Basically, just keep it like it is for all the bother if its a daily aswell as a track/drift car.

07-08-2008, 15:03	#8 (permalink)
Daddy_D D1 street king Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,163	Ah I got you tetsujin, I think the main reason to do this will be probably A) easy to get the arm and glass off when I'm done B) Next monday I'm spraying the car so it's easier to move the gun around. About after sale, I doubt that will be possible as the car has a lot of stuff removed now that can never be fitted back. When I'm finish I will start a project thread with all the little jobs done. And no I wasn't thinking I'm gonna say weight by doing this, unless that bar inside the doors is a solid piece.

18-08-2008, 21:31	#9 (permalink)
RUSS R33 doughnutter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northants Posts: 39	Theres an aluminium chanel attatched to the bottom of the glass that attatches to the mechanism. You could remove this, bond the polycarbonate to it, then screw through the inner door into the aluminium to fix it in place.