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Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

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rcarlisle

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

They seem to be "hen's teeth" rare. Green Sales has like one or 2 for one side and 4 for the other. Not sure the color - minght have to paint them. I'm going to just wait and see. I've got to get the seat redone before I can buy door panels.

Randy

Mt. Airy, NC 81 F-150 STYLESIDE regular cab 2wd. 302 Auto Zone crate. 5 spd M5od-R2

Gary Lewis

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

Administrator

Maybe you can soften yours up and get them off and back on? I think Armor-All might do it?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

1986F150Six

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

Or maybe David has found some? You might search the forum for that base part number or "door handle grommet".

RH black, I believe:
https://www.rearcounter.com/E3TZ-10226A06-A-parts395344.html

RH red, I believe: https://www.rearcounter.com/E3TZ-10226A06-C-parts255612.html

rcarlisle

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

Maybe you can soften yours up and get them off and back on? I think Armor-All might do it?

I was thinking maybe a hair dryer to warm them and not melt them like a heat gun could. Armor all might be like a thread solvent and be a good idea early to help soften as well.

Randy

Mt. Airy, NC 81 F-150 STYLESIDE regular cab 2wd. 302 Auto Zone crate. 5 spd M5od-R2

Gary Lewis

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

Administrator

Armor-All won't hurt, but the hair dryer sounds like a good idea as well.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gary Lewis

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

Administrator

In reply to this post by 1986F150Six

Thanks, David!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

delco1946

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

Didn't read through the whole post - but thought i'd add that i've never seen nutmeg panels with studs. This is in conflict with your theory Gary as this is a 1981 and 82 specific color

.

Perhaps location factored in? Me and my parts are west coast based...

Christopher in Portland Or. 1981 F250 Ranger XLT 4x4 trailer special 351M, and auto C6

81f100custom

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

My 81 with nutmeg interior has the grommet style also in nutmeg color. I have had the door panels off numerous times and do not remember there being any studs but was not specifically looking for them so I guess I could have missed them. The panels have been in the truck since I acquired it in Dec of 87 as far I know they are the ones that came factory with the truck.

Eddie,
81 F100 Custom SWB, 5.0L, 4x2, Single Rail Four-Speed Overdrive, 3.00 Non-Limited Slip Rear Axle, Non A/C truck to complete 85 F150 factory A/C conversion, Nutmeg interior color.

Gary Lewis

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

Administrator

Interesting. So the grommets might have been used as early as '81. When was your truck produced and in what plant?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Machspeed

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

Administrator

In reply to this post by rcarlisle

Typically on things like this, I microwave some water and put them in it for a minute or so. Softens rubber and vinyl up real good.

John

"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner

81f100custom

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

Interesting. So the grommets might have been used as early as '81. When was your truck produced and in what plant?

Eddie,
81 F100 Custom SWB, 5.0L, 4x2, Single Rail Four-Speed Overdrive, 3.00 Non-Limited Slip Rear Axle, Non A/C truck to complete 85 F150 factory A/C conversion, Nutmeg interior color.

FuzzFace2

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

That picture of the blue door panel looks to be a late 81 or early 82 as it dose not have the slider locks.
Dave. ----

Dave G.
81 F100 flare side 300 six / AA OD / NP435 / 2.75 gear
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1980-Ford-F100?page=1
81 F100 style side 300 six/SROD parts truck -RIP
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1981-Ford-F100

Gary Lewis

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

Administrator

In reply to this post by 81f100custom

Eddie - Thanks! And, to add to the questions, your truck does have pin style locks, right? My info indicates that Louisville had changed back to pin style before 6/18/81.

Dave - The lock change happened at various times depending on the plant. My notes say "The door locks changed fairly close to 03/81 in most plants, but not in all of them. Kansas City produced trucks in 03/81 with slide locks, but by 04/81 had gone to pins. But Twin Cities was still using slide locks as late as 07/81."

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

rcarlisle

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

[Edit: just looked in reference section and see the difference in the drawings] I'm not sure what you guys mean by slider or pin locks for certain. But seems like from what I've read, the pin locks are what I have - the blue panel referenced earlier and photo I posted. I have no idea if my panels are original or not. They have a lot of wear to them and looked horrible when I bought the truck. I sanded and painted.

Slide locks were earlier? I figured the locks in mine were just a Ford thing - my mom's 78 Granada had same covers - the ones with no knobs at top that you can't open with a coat hanger.

The grommets are there and I don't remember any posts for the rubber on the back. I don't have my VIN on me, but seems like mine was built in VA in 10/81? I could be completely wrong though. The ink on my door tag is faded away - nothing legible other than the original printing.

Randy

Mt. Airy, NC 81 F-150 STYLESIDE regular cab 2wd. 302 Auto Zone crate. 5 spd M5od-R2

Gary Lewis

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

Administrator

Slide locks were a 1980 & early '81 thing. You can see the slide in the door in the illustration below near the "Before 3/81" text. The door panels have a rectangular cutout for the sliders.

But that 3/81 date isn't accurate, as previously explained.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

delco1946

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

My 1981's Vin code isnt super clear to me as the fifth letter is F = 80 F250 - 4WD (

) but later it says its the 36,425th vehicle built out of Sa Jose, Ca in 1981.

Christopher in Portland Or. 1981 F250 Ranger XLT 4x4 trailer special 351M, and auto C6

FuzzFace2

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

My 81 F100 was made 11/80 so early 81 and has the slider locks.
You can see the big hold where the slider should be below the wooden arm rest.

I wonder if the handle gaskets were changed with the lock type?
You can see mine has (whats left) the studs.

Because no one makes the slider parts and the door panels that have the hole I am thinking of going with the later panels and drilling the door for the pin type lock.
Now if I understand right not all panels use the gaskets like i have?
So I would need to come up with something then and also deal with if the pin rod will work with my latch assy.?
Dave ----

81f100custom

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

<quote author="Gary Lewis">
Eddie - Thanks! And, to add to the questions, your truck does have pin style locks, right? My info indicates that Louisville had changed back to pin style before 6/18/81.

Yes that is correct

Eddie,
81 F100 Custom SWB, 5.0L, 4x2, Single Rail Four-Speed Overdrive, 3.00 Non-Limited Slip Rear Axle, Non A/C truck to complete 85 F150 factory A/C conversion, Nutmeg interior color.

85lebaront2

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

Administrator

In reply to this post by FuzzFace2

Interesting finds on these locks, panels, grommets etc. I don't know when the change to what I have on Darth came, but the opening for the inside handles have "fuzz" in them, like a push broom would have only shorter. I know it makes it a lot easier getting the panels off and back on as you can remove the handle first and reinstall it last. The later doors also use the same inside handles front and rear and I replaced the plastic ones with the metal ones for the earlier doors I also used the older linkage release system on the newer front doors so I do not have the problem with cable stretch.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

salans7

Re: Door Panels & Interior Handle Boots

85lebaront2 wrote

Interesting finds on these locks, panels, grommets etc. I don't know when the change to what I have on Darth came, but the opening for the inside handles have "fuzz" in them, like a push broom would have only shorter. I know it makes it a lot easier getting the panels off and back on as you can remove the handle first and reinstall it last. The later doors also use the same inside handles front and rear and I replaced the plastic ones with the metal ones for the earlier doors I also used the older linkage release system on the newer front doors so I do not have the problem with cable stretch.

My 1990 door panels from my cab had the door handle sweepers, and if I recall correctly, so did dad's 1987 F150. So I would assume the sweepers came in 1987.

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