Decah VDC Installation Instructions

Here's a copy of the basic installation instructions sent along with every Decah kit.

** For custom installations see NOTES FOR CUSTOM INSTALLATIONS at the bottom of this section. If you follow the pictures on our site and these instructions, what sounds complicated over the phone is actually a very straight forward and uncomplicated installation.

It is suggested that this conversion is done using two or more persons. However, it is also recommended that this conversion is done by a professional automotive/body technician. We cannot be held responsible for improperly installed VDC units.

6. Check that all your door's power accessories are working. For this, you must temporarily reconnect the battery. Keep battery disconnected until install is complete. Once again, disconnect wire harness from door. Use electrical tape to tightly secure and cover the wire extensions and harness wires. Reinstall harness connector into door.

7. Remove the stock hinges. Have someone hold the door to maintain the door's position until the VDC is securely in place. Attach the VDC to the chassis and door. DO NOT COMPLETELY TIGHTEN AT THIS TIME. Check the VDC diagram for bolt and washer configuration recommendation. Make sure the door is aligned properly, checking gaps between the door and the rest of the body. This is an important step in assuring proper fit of a closed door. Once you have achieved the proper fit, tighten the door and chassis bolts securely. Once again check for proper door fit.

NOTE: Your door no longer has the full range of horizontal motion. Be sure to take special care in remembering this for the future.

8. INSTALLING THE SPRING: Have a friend hold the door in the open and up position for you. Put the spring into the spring perch as shown above. Hold the spring by the body and align the spring's rod threads with the internal threads in the base of the end fitting. The end fitting should be screwed in as close to the arm as possible still allowing for 90 degree of end fitting movement. Screw the rod completely into the end fitting, holding the spring by the body. While doing this it is recommended that the spring be free of pressure from the door's weight. Make sure that whoever is holding the door for you does not allow the weight of the door to rest on the spring until the spring rod is completely screwed in. This makes it easier to screw in. Put the cotter pin through the small hole at the base of the spring and open the cotter pin ends. Check your work. Make sure all screws are secure and your harness is intact.

Now you must adjust the door for sag. This is done by opening the door 2 to 3 inches horizontally away from the body. (You will notice the door sags downward at the end opposite the VDC). Use the sag adjusted screw to adjust the door until no sag remains and the door opens and closes in it's new range of horizontal motion without interruption as well as providing a properly fitting closed door. Use a hex key to adjust the sag screw. Once you have adjusted the sag adjusted screw properly, use thread lock adhesive to lock the sage adjusted screw in place. Once again, check the door by opening and closing it's new limited range of horizontal motion. If necessary repeat the sag adjustment step.

9. INNER FENDER ROLL: For clearance reasons, the inner fender should be rolled as follows (tin snips are recommended for this procedure). Snip inner fender tab at start point 2" to 2.5", (50.8mm to 63.5mm) below inner fenders tab top. When snipping, leave approximately 1/8" (3mm} space between the end of your snip and the fold of the inner fender tab. This allows enough room for component clearance as well as maintaining some form of structural rigidity to the fender. Make snips in approximate 1" (25.4mm) intervals down to just below the area where the VDC arm would interfere with the fender. Use your fingers, (no tools), to fold the 1" (25.4mm) snipped tabs that you have created, to the inner surface of the fender. Be careful of sharp edges!

Now your inner fender is rolled. Depending on the amount of corrective door sag and fender to door spacing, you may need to slot the fender molding, (if any), slots and push the molding forward to keep it from being clipped when opening and closing the door. The Decah alternative to slotting the slots is to use the real carbon fiber, (one left and one right) molding replacements, (only available for the 1996-2000 Honda Civic.) Remove fender molding then clean the fender surface, peel the label and place the carbon fiber molding replacements in place. Repeat steps 1-9 to install the VDC on the other door. Reinstall the fenders and connect battery.

YOU ARE NOW VERTICAL!

** NOTES FOR CUSTOM INSTALLATIONS

Basically follow the steps as above for a standard installation. The major difference is going to be in the mounting of the kit to the car. In some cases the kit will have mounting holes that do not line up with the car and will need to be realigned either by elongating the existing holes, adding extra holes or drilling all new holes so that the kit mounting holes now match the car. In the case of welded hinges on the stock car, the stock hinges will have to be removed and the kit will have to be welded in place. The major concern in mounting the kit on a custom installation is that the kit must be mounted FLAT and perfectly vertical. This can be accomplished in many ways. In some instances there are ribs on the car that need to be flattened. In other cases the kit would need to be shimmed to be flat and vertical. This can be done with washers or body shims. For some vehicles it becomes easier to flatten an area on the pillar so that the kit is mounted flat. If using the heavy-duty kit, you may want to shave where the kit mounts to the door. The heavy-duty kit is very beefy and some installations will be easier if the bracket that mounts to the door is trimmed a little to fit. We supply you with a kit that is heavy enough to allow a lot of flexibility in installation.