Will 96 doors line up with an 85?
- Thread starter dbg03
- Start date
david85
Full Access Member
Yes, but there will be some subtle differences. There is an extra body line on some 92-up doors near the bottom edge, Most of us would never know if it wasn't shown pointed out. The rest of the body lines will line up.
Ford also added stamped venting slots to the 87-up door shell to make them easier to close with the windows rolled up. The vent windows will be slightly different than 80-86 and have thicker frames. Latches and hinges will line up. Some 92-up will have "aero" style mirrors that lack the same lower bolt holes for the older style swing away mirrors. Later door shells will rely on failure prone cable actuators for the inside release handle, while 80-86 will use actuator rods.
Not sure about the differences on the interior panel but I doubt they will be major since the basic door shell is largely unchanged from 80 to 97.
One advantage on later doors is that some 92-up shells will have side impact beams added to the lower body line. I think this was for F150s but not 100% sure.
I once talked to a back yard mechanic years ago who was still servicing many local OBS bush trucks. His standard practice was to source reproduction door shells intended for 80-86 trucks and install them on the later 92-up body style. His reasoning was that it still fit and they were a little cheaper than buying 87-up door shells.
Ford also added stamped venting slots to the 87-up door shell to make them easier to close with the windows rolled up. The vent windows will be slightly different than 80-86 and have thicker frames. Latches and hinges will line up. Some 92-up will have "aero" style mirrors that lack the same lower bolt holes for the older style swing away mirrors. Later door shells will rely on failure prone cable actuators for the inside release handle, while 80-86 will use actuator rods.
Not sure about the differences on the interior panel but I doubt they will be major since the basic door shell is largely unchanged from 80 to 97.
One advantage on later doors is that some 92-up shells will have side impact beams added to the lower body line. I think this was for F150s but not 100% sure.
I once talked to a back yard mechanic years ago who was still servicing many local OBS bush trucks. His standard practice was to source reproduction door shells intended for 80-86 trucks and install them on the later 92-up body style. His reasoning was that it still fit and they were a little cheaper than buying 87-up door shells.
Thanks for the response. Up here clean parts for the 82-86 are almost non existent. I’ll look into how hard it would be to patch up the fenders and doors I currently have
junk
Full Access Member
I mistakenly have an 82-86 door on my 89 truck. They had to add holes for the door panel to connect "properly". So if it was me I'd stick with the 82-86 doors. It's on and works, but it's not correct. I actually have another door to paint and install sometime when I get ambition. Now if your just looking for a rust free door for your truck that works. Use what you can find. Definitely. If you trying to fix it up real nice, then hunt around a little.
thanks for the information. i do plan on keeping the 82-86 door panels. i guess ill have to wait and see what comes around as far as parts go
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