3750FL 2012 and earlier Cupboard Modification

[moutard2]

I'm pretty sure that this mod will not apply to the 2013 model 3750 as the one I looked at did not have the cupboard return over the sink. However, if you have a 2012 or earlier and if you do have the return with the exceptionally hard to reach cupboard interior, you might want to consider this modification. Your wife will love you all over again for it!
I got the doors, the handles and the hinges from my local Montana dealer. Nothing apparently that you get from Keystone comes with mounting screws but I was able to get antique bronze mounting screws from a hardware store.
The actual process is not difficult. It took me about a half hour to mount the handles and hinges to the doors and another half hour to mount the doors to the cabinet. When you bang out the panels you'll leave those dreaded staples in the frame around the new opening. I tried pulling them out with wire cutters but that just cut the staple. Use vise grips or something similar. CAUTION: If you don't remove the staples, someday you'll lose skin and blood after you rip your hand/arm open.
My photography isn't the best but you should get some idea as to what I started with and what I did.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1095054...O2wuN7H_Lu__AE

This is the new, improved link that really works. The comments below refer to an earlier faulty path!

[Montana_10714]

link did not open....

[Carl n Susan]

I am getting the message "Sorry, that page was not found." so something is wrong.

[NCFischers]

I get the same message.

[NCFischers]

Nice mod!!!

[kylec2]

Nice mod! We normally put our dishes in those cabinets because my bride can not reach. This mod makes a lot of sense!

[tanner1070]

Great Job! Really looks nice and very functional.

[Captain Joe]

Ron. Nice job. I downloaded all of your photos and will be doing same this Spring. Thanks.

[moutard2]

The cupboards cost me $98 for the pair which included freight. The handles and hinges, screws and stuff were another $20, so a cheap modification but well worth the effort.

[moutard2]

quote:Originally posted by Captain Joe

Ron. Nice job. I downloaded all of your photos and will be doing same this Spring. Thanks.

Let me know if I can help in any way Joe!

[Captain Joe]

Ron,
Do you by chance have the part numbers of the doors, hinges, and handles? Would make it easier. Thanks again.

[moutard2]

Hey Joe (and others)... I've looked high and low for the receipts for the pieces without success. I tend not to keep little bits of paper! If the Montana dealer you visit is equipped like mine, they'll have everything listed with a picture in their computer. The hinges and snap closures are all common to the Montana so no issues there. The handles could vary depending on when yours slipped through the assembly line. Take a pic of the handle into the dealer when you go. The cupboard doors as I said above are a pair of the one just to the left of your kitchen drawers. 2 of them together are the correct height and the correct width. Have the serial number of your Monty for the dealer so that when they order the doors, you get the correct finish. There aren't any other pair of doors that you can use which work. I might have covered the 3 cupboards but again, no pair of doors have the correct dimensions.
My wife has since organized the kitchen cupboards and access to a lot of stuff previously requiring a step stool and gorilla arms is now a breeze. As well, it's now possible to store a lot more in those particular cupboards.

[Captain Joe]

Thanks Ron....again, great job.

[vmoore1]

Thanks Ron for the great idea, just ordered all the parts from our Montana dealer should take a couple of weeks to get here.

Captain Joe here are the part Numbers
Doors-272251
Hinges-323615
Handles-276894
Latches-109672
Hope it helps.

[moutard2]

Great information for those that want to do the mod. Thank you!
I thought of one other tip which will help with the installation of the doors ... get a piece of 1.5" trim (nothing fancy) and when you're installing the doors, sit the trim on the existing moulding and the doors on the trim. This will virtually ensure that your doors are installed level and in the correct position top to bottom! The gap between the doors is your choice. 1/4" is about what the other pairs of doors have for separation. I have since ground off the little staples that I couldn't get out in one piece with a Dremel and a suitable grinding stone. Now the inside edge of the frame is smooth as a ......... well, you know!

[Captain Joe]

Looking forward to attempting this mod. Thanks Vince for the part numbers. I see that you have the 2011, as well. So do I.