[Brandon2]

I want to remove the 6'8" interior door and install an 8 foot door. Can I cut out the solid 4x6 header shown and just toe nail a 2x4 below the one cripple creating a new header?

 

[Nealtw]

I want to remove the 6'8" interior door and install an 8 foot door. Can I cut out the solid 4x6 header shown and just toe nail a 2x4 below the one cripple creating a new header?

View attachment 601637

If the wall in non bearing, you can do what ever but if it is bearing you would have to move it up. Moving it up is just an hours work and drywall repair after.

Below this wall is there a foundation, beam or wall supported down to foundation.
Above this wall, do joists ends land on the this wall, is there another wall directly above this, if yes we have to consider the weight from above that.

 

[Brandon2]

The wall sits on a concrete foundation, above the wall is an attic.
Would a 4x6 solid piece header be used for a non load bearing wall? The cripples are not pushing down on the header, there is a slight gap, maybe from expansion.

 

[Nealtw]

The wall sits on a concrete foundation, above the wall is an attic.
Would a 4x6 solid piece header be used for a non load bearing wall? The cripples are not pushing down on the header, there is a slight gap, maybe from expansion.

We never put in unneeded headers and we always put them at the top of the wall. But on this site we see lots of examples headers like that in every doorway.

How about we come up with a plan so you don't have to destroy drywall.

Do you know the rough height for the new door?
Do you have a recip saw (sawzall) ?

 

[Brandon2]

The new door is 8ft prehung hollow door. I have a sawzall. thinking of doing what this guy did on youtube.

 

[Nealtw]

The new door is 8ft prehung hollow door. I have a sawzall. thinking of doing what this guy did on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E1FHGgLAbk

Normally the rough opening would 8' 2 1/2" measure the side jam of the door frame for the new door.

 

[Brandon2]

the side jamb is 34". if i cut out the header the cripples on each end of header will still have support. just need to support the middle cripple. dont think the house will fall down with just the center cripple not supporting its full load on the header. fingers crossed.

 

[Nealtw]

the side jamb is 34". if i cut out the header the cripples on each end of header will still have support. just need to support the middle cripple. dont think the house will fall down with just the center cripple not supporting its full load on the header. fingers crossed.

How tall is the dam thing.

You can cut the drywall and the cripples move the header up and fill in the jack studs

Or you can leave the dry wall and just rough cut the cripples, add three cripples the right height, move the header up and fill in the jacks.



The bootom of the header wants to be 1/2" higher than the door jam?

 

[Brandon2]

Would this work?

 

[Nealtw]

Like this

 

[Nealtw]

And then

 

[Brandon2]

Great. Thank you so much for your help and taking the time to explain. I thought toe nailing would be okay, but your way adds alot more support.

 

[Nealtw]

Great. Thank you so much for your help and taking the time to explain. I thought toe nailing would be okay, but your way adds alot more support.

I have never been able to get a good straight cut on blocks like the cripples so I would always take more and just add new and you can save the drywall and just have some cut lines to fix if you poke thru.