smart car vertical lambo doors 451 fortwo

[BigWarpGuy]

The vertical doors that bolt on are at Smart Madness.

"This kit is made to be very easy to install and can easily be done at home over the weekend with minimal technical experience."

I sent them an e-mail about photos showing how easy it is to install their doors.

[smart42parts]

Originally Posted by SmartPassion

Very nice. But the opening looks kind of tight. How wide does it go?

I am sorry that i can put detail pictures of the actual hinge but if you send me an e-mail I will send it to you. The problem is that the minute you release detail information someone will make a copy of it. so at least by emailing to individual customers I can make it harder to copy.

if you have any other questions please feel free to contact me at info@smart42parts.com

[laurenl]

Nice looking...

[starlord]

I got mine from smart madness too (though the instruction book was done by smart42parts, well done I must say and THANKS guys!). Yes these are the same quality hinges you can have made for practically any vehicle and had them installed at Alioto's garage in downtown San Francisco.

That said, the garage didn't like the plate that came with the kit so fabricated their own, a bit beefier and I guess VDI might modify the build kit now with the upgraded design <shrug> but either way, I love em, they are fun. It's all for show of course but then people who buy these kits don't generally think it's all about function ;)

Yes you can find cheaply made knock-offs for half the price, but you get what you pay for. I wouldn't care if my car was $10,000 I'd still get them and be confident knowing I ended up with a quality product, so my doors aren't going to fall-off six months after I bolt them on.

Hmm.. come to think of it, my car is worth well over $20k now, but I digress ;)

[renshi6]

hey can anyone tell me how you like the vertical doors???? I REALLY WANT THESE BUT I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL MESS UP THE ORIGINAL DOOR OPERATION... ANY COMMENTS???????? jelvis@cox.net

[starlord]

Evilution put it best:

Yes, they are usable every day but as I said before they open wide enough to get out before they lift up so lifting them is just for show.

The doors don't open as wide as original, with the vertical door kit its a wee bit less, but then the doors go up. You don't have to raise them up.

Search for and look at the videos on YouTube if you want a better example as this may help.. these doors aren't for everyone and have no practical application other than show.. you decide if they're for you, but I like em

[smart42parts]

Originally Posted by renshi6

hey can anyone tell me how you like the vertical doors???? I REALLY WANT THESE BUT I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL MESS UP THE ORIGINAL DOOR OPERATION... ANY COMMENTS???????? jelvis@cox.net

here is a video to help you with your decision.

YouTube - smart car 451 fortwo vertical lambo...

[intocoasters]

Originally Posted by starlord

... the garage didn't like the plate that came with the kit so fabricated their own, a bit beefier and I guess VDI might modify the build kit now with the upgraded design ...

Ok.... this concerns me a bit. What, specifically, needed to be changed? Was it VDI that fabricated the 'plate' ? Do you think this could be a problem on a standard install of this kit?

Also, I have seen other universal kits that have a number of adjustments. What I am curious about are 1) How far the door is allowed to open before it needs to go vertical and 2) how far it can be rotated to the up position before it stops. Do these adjustments exist?

[smart42parts]

Originally Posted by intocoasters

Ok.... this concerns me a bit. What, specifically, needed to be changed? Was it VDI that fabricated the 'plate' ? Do you think this could be a problem on a standard install of this kit?

Also, I have seen other universal kits that have a number of adjustments. What I am curious about are 1) How far the door is allowed to open before it needs to go vertical and 2) how far it can be rotated to the up position before it stops. Do these adjustments exist?

*concerns about the bracket that was modified.
we do extensive research before releasing any of our kits. We have determine that our mounting bracket (4.9" x 2.6" x .5" ASTM A36 steel) is strong enough to support the weight of the door. the hinge it self is composed of 3/8" steel and 1/2" steel (more than enough for the light door of the Smart car), with heat treated steel on pivot points.

* How far the door is allowed to open before it needs to go vertical?
your stock door has a stopping point before it swings out all the way. our kit opens about the first stopping point before it can go up.

*how far it can be rotated to the up position before it stops?
the stooping point on the vertical position has been predetermine by us because of the antenna on the driver's side.

the kits do have adjustments to fine tune the kit, but since it is a Direct bolt-on kit made for the Smart 451 you really do not need a lot of adjustments.

PLEASE NOTE: OUT KITS ARE MADE FOR THE SMART 451. Universal kits are not and as you may have notice the smart it's not your typical car.
It's very hard to install a universal kit on a normal car but on a Smart car it will be a nightmare!!

[intocoasters]

Thank you for the answers, I figured it was going to be set to what I see in the video. I took a closer look at my car and noticed how the door moves away from the A pillar and can see how far it needs to open first. I also took note of the antenna and fender.

I really like the look of the VDC kit on the Smart. After all, I got this car because it looked different. Saving my pennies and asking Santa.