Phantom Doors LXL Suicide Door Conversion Kit

Phantom Doors LXL Hinges for Custom Suicide Door Conversions

The Phantom Doors LXL Suicide Door Conversion Kit, part number SDR.LXL850D, is an extra-large hinge system developed for custom rear-hinged door conversions. Its billet-aluminum hinge construction, adjustable steel mounting system, precision pivot hardware, and available two-position door check make it a strong starting point for professionally fabricated medium- to heavy-door applications.

This is a universal fabrication component, not a vehicle-specific bolt-on kit. Compatibility, mounting locations, structural reinforcement, door clearance, wiring, latch placement, and final alignment must be evaluated for each vehicle.

What Is the Phantom Doors LXL Suicide Door Kit?

The Phantom Doors LXL system is a universal hinge assembly designed for fabricators converting a conventional vehicle door into a rear-hinged door. This type of conversion is commonly called a suicide door conversion.

Unlike a vehicle-specific Vertical Door Kit, the LXL hinge is not designed to attach to one predetermined factory bolt pattern. A qualified fabricator must determine the correct hinge position, reinforce the mounting structure, establish the door’s opening path, and complete the required body, latch, wiring, and alignment work.

Phantom Doors LXL Hinge Features

The LXL line combines an extruded billet-aluminum hinge strap with steel mounting components and precision-machined pivot hardware. The design gives an experienced installer the strength, movement, and adjustment needed for a custom rear-hinged door project.

• Part number: SDR.LXL850D
• Hinge size: Extra-large LXL configuration
• Operating geometry: 4-inch arc radius
• Hinge material: Extruded billet aluminum
• Mounting components: Adjustable steel base plate and mounting flange
• Pivot system: Precision-machined pivot pins with bronze bushings
• Wiring provision: CNC-machined wire passages
• Standard appearance: Brushed-aluminum finish
• Door check: Two-position check on the detent-equipped version
• Optional assistance: A ball-stud mounting provision may be available for an application-specific gas spring, gas shock, or linear actuator

Adjustable Steel Base Plate and Mounting Flange

The LXL hinge incorporates an adjustable steel base plate and mounting flange. This arrangement gives the fabricator additional positioning capability while establishing the hinge location, door alignment, and opening path.

The adjustable design can assist with installation, but it does not make the system bolt-on or universally compatible. The mounting structure must be strong enough to support the door throughout its complete range of movement.

Before finalizing the mounting position, the installer must check:

• The structural condition of the door and vehicle body
• The complete door-opening path
• Door-to-body and door-to-quarter-panel clearance
• Window glass and regulator clearance
• Weatherstrip contact and sealing
• Interior trim and seat clearance
• Wire routing and protection
• Latch placement and secure engagement
• Door alignment in the open and closed positions

Precision Pivot Pins and Bronze Bushings

The LXL hinge rotates on precision-machined pivot pins supported by bronze bushings. When the assembly is correctly mounted, aligned, lubricated, and maintained, this configuration is designed to provide controlled hinge movement.

Final operation depends on the completed installation. Door weight, hinge geometry, reinforcement, adjustment, and maintenance all affect how smoothly and securely the converted door operates.

Two-Position Detent Door Check

The detent-equipped version of the LXL hinge includes a two-position door check. The check provides two stopping points that help hold the converted door open, including when the vehicle is parked on an incline.

The detent system should not be treated as a substitute for correct hinge geometry, structural support, alignment, or maintenance. Vehicle angle, door weight, adjustment, component wear, and optional assisted-return hardware can affect how the door holds and moves.

CNC-Machined Door-Wiring Passages

Modern vehicle doors may contain wiring for windows, locks, speakers, mirrors, lighting, airbags, sensors, or other electrical components. The LXL hinge includes CNC-machined wire passages that can help the installer route wiring through the conversion area.

Wire length, connector placement, loom protection, bend radius, and movement must still be evaluated for the individual vehicle. Wiring should never be stretched, pinched, exposed to sharp edges, or positioned where the hinge can damage it.

Brushed-Aluminum Finish

The standard LXL hinge has a brushed-aluminum finish. Because the hinge strap is aluminum, polishing or anodizing may be possible through an experienced finishing provider.

Any custom finishing must preserve the hinge dimensions, pivot surfaces, bushings, wire passages, threaded areas, and mounting interfaces. Confirm the planned finish before disassembling or modifying the hinge.

Optional Gas Spring or Linear Actuator Provision

An optional ball-stud mounting provision may be available for applications using a gas spring, gas shock, or linear actuator. Assisted movement must be engineered around the door’s actual weight, hinge travel, mounting geometry, and desired operation.

Do not select an assist component based only on an estimated door weight. Excessive force, insufficient travel, or incorrect positioning can make the door difficult to control, restrict movement, or overload the hinge and mounting structure.

Contact Vertical Doors, Inc. before ordering to confirm whether a ball-stud provision is included or available and to discuss the intended application.

What Vehicles Can Use the LXL Hinge?

The Phantom Doors LXL hinge is intended for custom medium- to heavy-door applications. Possible projects may include midsize or large four-door cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Previous product information referenced vehicles such as the Hummer H2, Cadillac Escalade, Ford Excursion, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon as examples of vehicle sizes that may require a larger hinge. These examples do not establish direct compatibility or make SDR.LXL850D a bolt-on kit for those vehicles.

Professional Fabrication Is Required

A suicide door conversion changes the hinge location and the direction in which the door opens. The work can require welding, structural reinforcement, latch relocation, body modification, wiring changes, door-gap adjustment, interior clearance work, and refinishing.

The conversion must also account for secure latch operation and the forces placed on a rear-hinged door while the vehicle is moving. Installation should be completed by a professional automotive fabricator with experience in door structures, hinge geometry, welding, alignment, and custom bodywork.

Vertical Doors, Inc. offers factory-direct installation services in Lake Elsinore, California, and can help customers evaluate other installation options. Third-party installer availability and capabilities vary, especially for a universal custom-fabrication project.

Review Installation Options

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SDR.LXL850D a vehicle-specific bolt-on kit?

No. SDR.LXL850D is a universal hinge system for custom suicide door fabrication. It must be fitted, reinforced, aligned, and integrated into the individual vehicle by an experienced installer.

Does the kit fit a Hummer H2, Escalade, Excursion, Suburban, Tahoe, or Yukon?

Those vehicles were previously mentioned as examples of medium- and heavy-door applications. Their inclusion does not confirm bolt-on fitment. Contact Vertical Doors, Inc. with the exact year, make, model, body style, door location, and planned conversion before ordering.

What does the two-position door check do?

The door check on the detent-equipped hinge provides two stopping positions that help hold the converted door open. Its performance depends on the door weight, installation geometry, adjustment, vehicle angle, and condition of the components.

Can I install the LXL hinges myself?

This conversion requires advanced automotive fabrication skills. Installation may involve welding, reinforcement, latch relocation, bodywork, wiring, and precise door alignment. Professional installation is strongly recommended.

Can a gas shock or linear actuator be added?

An optional ball-stud mounting provision may be available. The correct assist component and mounting geometry must be selected for the individual door. Confirm the configuration with Vertical Doors, Inc. before ordering or modifying the hinge.

Can I purchase one hinge for a single-door conversion?

Single-hinge ordering was previously offered for one-door projects. Contact Vertical Doors, Inc. to confirm current availability, configuration, and purchasing requirements.

What is included with part number SDR.LXL850D?

Included components can change. Contact Vertical Doors, Inc. to confirm the current package contents, detent configuration, mounting hardware, ball-stud provisions, and application-specific requirements before purchase.

Confirm SDR.LXL850D Availability and Compatibility

Before ordering, provide Vertical Doors, Inc. with the vehicle year, make, model, body style, door location, approximate door weight, relevant modifications, and the type of conversion being planned. This information helps our team evaluate whether the LXL hinge is an appropriate starting point.

Contact Vertical Doors, Inc.

Talk with Vertical Doors, Inc. about part number SDR.LXL850D. Complete the form below with information about your vehicle and planned suicide door conversion. Our team can help review the application, current availability, hinge configuration, optional hardware, and installation requirements.