• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Doors hard to shut on 1991 Ranger


Subarute

New Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2019
Messages
27
Reaction score
9
Points
3
Location
Central City, NE
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Well the girlfreind says she doesnt like having to slam my doors, so does anyone know how to adjust them to shut easier?
 


Ranger850

Doesn't get Sarcasm . . .
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
8,421
Reaction score
4,659
Points
113
Location
Tallahassee Florida
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Born with a 3.0, looking for a donor V8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Stock 2"
Tire Size
Stock
My credo
Doing things wrong, until I get it right.
Well the girlfreind says she doesnt like having to slam my doors, so does anyone know how to adjust them to shut easier?
without knowing more details, the first place I would start is at the door Hinge. Some models have a plastic shim that wears out over time, causing hard to shut doors, some requires a little "lift" when you shut them to actually close. Check that shim, and go from there. No real adjustment can be done to the doors, nor should be done. That plastic shim/bushing at the door hinge is the first point of failure for many Ranger and Mustang doors.
 

Subarute

New Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2019
Messages
27
Reaction score
9
Points
3
Location
Central City, NE
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
without knowing more details, the first place I would start is at the door Hinge. Some models have a plastic shim that wears out over time, causing hard to shut doors, some requires a little "lift" when you shut them to actually close. Check that shim, and go from there. No real adjustment can be done to the doors, nor should be done. That plastic shim/bushing at the door hinge is the first point of failure for many Ranger and Mustang doors.
they don't have to be lifted to shut the door, they just wont shut all the way without being slammed. I'll check the shims on the hinges.
 

Elutheros

Active Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jul 11, 2011
Messages
660
Reaction score
129
Points
43
Location
Central Texas
Vehicle Year
1992
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Actually, the striker plate where the door latches to the body can be adjusted by loosening the torx bolt and tapping it in towards the interior (or out away). I do this to stop the doors on my 30 year old truck from rattling. I also replaced the missing plastic bushing on the round pin of the door latch with a piece of plastic tubing and that also helped with rattles and the doors close easier. They will never be as easy to close as my late model Tacoma because they are light and ancient.
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,202
Reaction score
16,343
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
You need a stronger girlfriend
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,291
Reaction score
8,293
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
+1 on adjusting the striker on the door frame not the door

But maybe there is another reason its hard to close, so check the gaskets around the door they should be pliable so door can get a good seal not hard so its hard to close
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,385
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Has the latches ever been lubed? Spraying some white lithium grease into the mechanism might be in order. Make sure you wipe off any residue that may accumulate on the striker after you are done. Most females really hate it when grease and stuff get on their clothing.
 

Ranger850

Doesn't get Sarcasm . . .
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
8,421
Reaction score
4,659
Points
113
Location
Tallahassee Florida
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Born with a 3.0, looking for a donor V8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Stock 2"
Tire Size
Stock
My credo
Doing things wrong, until I get it right.
Actually, the striker plate where the door latches to the body can be adjusted by loosening the torx bolt and tapping it in towards the interior (or out away). I do this to stop the doors on my 30 year old truck from rattling. I also replaced the missing plastic bushing on the round pin of the door latch with a piece of plastic tubing and that also helped with rattles and the doors close easier. They will never be as easy to close as my late model Tacoma because they are light and ancient.
I know ppl have done this, but I didn't think FORD meant for adjustments to be made there, IMO this is a HACK not a fix. but to each their own I guess. I had the same problem with my mustang. I didn't HAVE to pick up on the door, if I slammed it hard enough, but picking up on the door made it easier to shut, without slamming the door.
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,202
Reaction score
16,343
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Has the latches ever been lubed? Spraying some white lithium grease into the mechanism might be in order. Make sure you wipe off any residue that may accumulate on the striker after you are done. Most females really hate it when grease and stuff get on their clothing.
One of my co-workers tells of his previous job where a maintenance employee who had a grudge against another guy lubricated (coated) the bottom of the guy’s passenger side door handle with anti-seize. You wanna talk about a pissed off wife?
 

Bgunner

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Messages
1,755
Reaction score
1,039
Points
113
Location
Western Mass.
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford/Ranger XLT
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/70/R15
My credo
If it's not broken Don't Fix It!
I have not heard of Rangers being prone to this but some other vehicles, example: mid to late 80's Jeep Cherokee's were notorious for this happening, the A pillar where the hinges were welded would weaken and crack around the hinge and allow the door to sag causing the need to lift the door or slam it. This would be quite obvious when looking at the hinge if the metal has stress cracks. If the door hinge bushings are going bad you can open the door and try lifting the door up and down feeling for play. This will tell you of the bushings are worn or the striker needs to be adjusted, giving there is no other obstruction like RonD or sgtsanman mentioned earlier.
 

Josh B

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 15, 2019
Messages
3,956
Reaction score
1,958
Points
113
Location
Oklahoma
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Open it for her ;)
 

Bgunner

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Messages
1,755
Reaction score
1,039
Points
113
Location
Western Mass.
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford/Ranger XLT
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/70/R15
My credo
If it's not broken Don't Fix It!

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
mine close great.....opening them not so easy.....
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top