The name of the game when it comes to mini-truckers is different. Each and every one of us has a perpetual desire to stand out from the rest and be noticed. The competitive nature of mini-truckers makes us all push our game to its highest level. Since we have to roll the baddest trucks on the planet, there's no doubt that sooner or later we would adopt such high-class Lamborghini-style doors as our own.
We decided to check out AutoLoc's Universal Deluxe Lamborghini Hinge Kit with powered actuators to see if it was something that would work on a mini-truck. The kit comes complete with instructions and most of the parts needed (with the exception of mounting hardware). However, the kit instructions caution that this install could require heavy modifications and should be performed by a professional. We contacted Sadistic Iron Werks in Hesperia, California, to see if the crew was up to the challenge. Since the kit is designed as a universal bolt-in kit for Hondas, it took some major modifications to make it work on our guinea pig, a Mazda B-series truck.
We began by stripping the truck's hood, fenders, doors, and grille. Next, we removed the stock Mazda door hinges and bolted up the AutoLoc hinges, testing to see what exactly we were working with for clearance. It was obvious that the rain gutters needed to be shaved, and the door and A-pillars would need to be cut out and plated to sink the hinge and move its pivot point up as high as possible. Once we figured out where the hinges could sit to clear the fender and A-pillar, it was easy. After we worked out all the bugs and had it all wired up, we were pleased with the final results. For more information, contact the companies listed in the source box.
AutoLoc
Dept. MT
11981 SW. Pacific Hwy.
Tigard, OR 97223
(866) 866-1315
www.autoloc.com.
Sadistic Iron Werks
Dept. MT
15058 Birch St.
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 403-5159
Louie's Auto Body & Paint
16714 Union St.
Victorville, CA 92392
(760) 245-7003
1.This is AutoLoc's Universal...
1.This is AutoLoc's Universal Deluxe Lamborghini Hinge Kit. It includes two motorized actuators, top and bottom hinges for the driver and passenger doors, two skidplates, instructions, and all necessary wiring.
2.This is the way the door...
2.This is the way the door opens from the factory, but we can't leave anything alone, can we?
3.For easy access to remove...
3.For easy access to remove the fenders, the hood and grille shell were removed.
4.Next, we unbolted and removed...
4.Next, we unbolted and removed the fenders.
5.We unbolted both sets of...
5.We unbolted both sets of hinges from the A-pillar and removed the doors.
6.Now that the Mazda was stripped,...
6.Now that the Mazda was stripped, it was time to have some fun.
7.With the factory hinges...
7.With the factory hinges removed from the door, you can see the two hinge mounting holes. After bolting up the AutoLoc hinges to the stock locations to test the clearance, we found that the stock location would not work because the door hit the fender and A-pillars when it was opened and lifted. After consulting the tech line and carefully following the directions, we realized the hinge would have to be moved as high as possible on the door.
8.Bobby used the hinge to...
8.Bobby used the hinge to mark off the highest point that the hinge could be placed without interfering with the A-pillar.
9.After measuring and marking...
9.After measuring and marking where the AutoLoc hinge would be placed, the hinge was modified to match and sit flush with the contour of the door.
10.The door was cut out, allowing...
10.The door was cut out, allowing the new plate to sit deeper in the door and the new hinge to be bolted on higher.
11.This area will need to...
11.This area will need to be plated for the AutoLoc hinge to be counter-sunk.
12.The edges were then smoothed...
12.The edges were then smoothed with a grinder to allow the plate to sit flush.
13.Bobby made a template,...
13.Bobby made a template, marking the top and bottom contour of the door to a sheet of 18-gauge mild steel.
14.Once the template was drawn,...
14.Once the template was drawn, cut out, and smoothed, it was traced to the 1/8-inch plate.
15.Next, the plate was cut...
15.Next, the plate was cut out and ground smooth.
16.A plate was made for the...
16.A plate was made for the bottom that sits 1/2-inch deep in the recessed area. That plate was then welded to the door plate. This allows the hinge to sit 1/2-inch deeper into the door.
17.After the plate was lined...
17.After the plate was lined up and tacked in place to check for fit, Bobby fully welded the plate into position.
18.All the welds and edges...
18.All the welds and edges were cleaned up, and the door was prepped for paint.
19.Holes were drilled for...
19.Holes were drilled for the hinge and it was bolted in place.
20.The bottom hinge that bolts...
20.The bottom hinge that bolts to the actuator was moved lower and marked.
21.Holes were drilled for...
21.Holes were drilled for the bottom hinge and it was bolted to the jamb.
22.These two holes are where...
22.These two holes are where the stock hinge was once bolted to the A-pillar.
23.The AutoLoc hinge will...
23.The AutoLoc hinge will need to be moved up and sunken here as well. The hinge was used to mark off the highest possible point on the A-pillar that can be strengthened to bolt the AutoLoc hinge to.
24.The A-pillar plate was...
24.The A-pillar plate was measured to sink back 1/2 inch (just like the door).
25.The marked piece of the...
25.The marked piece of the A-pillar was then cut out and removed.
26.The edges were filed smooth...
26.The edges were filed smooth so the plate won't have any trouble fitting; it also makes for cleaner results.
27.A template was made the...
27.A template was made the same way as the first one, and was used to cut out another 1/8-inch plate for the A-pillar.
28.The hinge was matched to...
28.The hinge was matched to the plate and bolt heads were marked and welded in to allow us to bolt the hinge on. Then the plate was completely welded into place.
29.Here's a look at the plated...
29.Here's a look at the plated pillar - that's pretty much it for the heavy modifications. Thank God!
30.Next, the door and AutoLoc...
30.Next, the door and AutoLoc hinge were both bolted to the A-pillar.
31.AutoLoc supplied rub plates...
31.AutoLoc supplied rub plates that the actuator is supposed to bolt to, but they would not work for our application. Instead, the actuator was bolted to the bottom AutoLoc door hinge, then measured to build a mount onto the front inner fender structure.
32.A bolt was welded to the...
32.A bolt was welded to the front inner fender structure for the actuator mount.
33.The actuator was bolted...
33.The actuator was bolted into place.
34.This is a look at the final...
34.This is a look at the final setup with the fender off.
35.Doors up! With the Mazda...
35.Doors up! With the Mazda reassembled and both doors wide open, this truck is bound to make a statement.