[Bob Moore]

I think he is talking about the inside door handle mechanism - sometimes called a remote or relay. The hardened post wears out the softer housing as you use the handle to open the door. As a lot of these trucks were used as work trucks (often only the driver) the drivers side got a lot more use than the passenger side. If you can find a 4door car from the 60's often the rear door will have an interchangable relay. For you 72 door guys the newer vans have relays with the longer shaft to clear the plastic door panels.