Installing half-doors.

[magnusfeuer]

The last step before bolting on the cage is to install the half doors.

True to form, Caterham sent the half door kit with no instructions, and I have a bit of a problem figuring out how the poppers are setup.

The first image shows what came in the fastener bag, with the second image focusing on the left ones which seem a bit special.

Blatchat threads seem to indicate that the left poppers goes on the front end of both doors, with the tab on the second row buttons installed on the forward end (in the direction of tavel). The reason for this is that these poppers only can be opened from one, i.e. lifting the back end, so that the wind doesn't rip them open.

Is this correct, or is there another way of doing this?

Tnx.

/Magnus F.

[mopho]

Not sure what you have there, and I am probably of little help, but my half doors have two standard poppers at the bottom of the door, a third at the back end where it meets the roll bar and a twist tab at the front base of windscreen to lock it down.

The only time I open them up is when I have a passenger that is not flexible enough to climb over them

[mont7]

I have the one way poppers on my half doors. Been some time since I put the poppers in, but they look to me like the tab is oriented towards the rear of the car. If you look at the other side, you can see a flat spot opposite the side where the tab is. The flat spot is facing the front of the car on my doors.

Steve

[Doug Liedblad]

You might consider checking out moosetestperson's method of using Velcro.

I think you can use the stick on type and avoid holes in the aluminum.

Of course the glue might take the paint off if you try to remove them.

[magnusfeuer]

Good idea.

I have a couple of rolls of industrial strength Velcro that I use to keep our toddler in place.

I'll see if I can use that.

/Magnus F.

[Boxologist]

Not sure what you have there, and I am probably of little help, but my half doors have two standard poppers at the bottom of the door, a third at the back end where it meets the roll bar and a twist tab at the front base of windscreen to lock it down.

The only time I open them up is when I have a passenger that is not flexible enough to climb over them

The 1/4 turn fastener that Al had spec'd for the front works out much better than the normal popper. Where its located allow the 1/2 doors to scissor up out of teh way. They then swing back down right into palce for the snaps to be fastened.

[Elv15]

Magnus,

I just have regular poppers and have not had a problem with the 1/2 door coming loose - even at the track. That being said, I have had the tonneau poppers come loose and think it would be a good idea to have some of the one way poppers on the leading edge.

Also, since Moose has the bling - carbon fiber 1/2 doors, his are tucked *inside* the scuttle aluminum at the front. No chance of them getting airborne. The Caterham ones are too thick for this mounting method.

Cheers,

Tom

[Doug Liedblad]

I didn't know the details of Chris' 1/2 door Velcro.

I think he holds the cover over his extra exhaust hole on with Velcro and it seems to stay on at speed.

Best to get the word direct from him.

[Sean]

I'm guessing the reason Chris has taken a while to get his new engine in is because he has not yet worked out all the details of Velcro engine mounts. ;)

[magnusfeuer]

Speaking of. I once tie wrapped an engine mount to the frame in a Renault 5 TS (S as in SPORT mind you), and drove around with it for two years.

Velcro worked very well. There is no way in hell that the doors will come off. "Male" velcro strips were attached to the body work and stuck to the door's lining nicely.

I'll have to do a small tweak at the door's leading front edge, which is plastic (not fabric). Here I attached a small piece of female velcro on the inside of the door so that it would stick nicely to the chassis. This piece, however came loose. I'll glue it in place later this week.

Cage is next up.
Steering wheel will take 5 minutes to attach.
Waxing
Done.

/Magnus F.

[Doug Liedblad]

Done.

/Magnus F.

Want to BET?

[moosetestbestanden]

I have been using velcro tape, doors are all outside. I have to replace it every year or so, depending on how often I take the doors off. It tends to come off of the CF panel because the inside is rough.
The wrong side exhaust hole is covered w/ a piece of cut up bonnet & secured w/ velcro. It has never even come close to coming off.

[magnusfeuer]

I need professional feedback on this.

We know that Gert has a DIN (Deutsches Institut fأ¼r Normung) license in duct tape and chewing gum use, but what does he have to say about Velcro?

/Magnus F.

[slomove]

Sorry, no Velcro use here. Well to be honest I keep a bundle of wrenches orderly with a Velcro strap.

For my half doors I strictly use stainless steel and aluminum hardware (they swivel up around the mirror stem). So maybe there are other members of this forum who are more into the chewing gum/duct tape/plywood business......