88-98 Ext door handles

[gldevall]

Posted this on the paint & body forum, but have not received any responses. Has anyone made this swap into a 73-87? I would like to look into this, but I want to know what to expect.

[Izzy]

Originally posted by Riptide's 78p/u
i read in a hot rod a few years back that if you do get the metal surrounding the handle, makes the swap a whole bunch easier to weld in the "patch".

Correct. Plus you can get door skins that were wrecked as long as you have at least 3-4" around the handle.

[n2billet]

I've seen this done a few times. If memory serves me correct you have to mount the handle below the body line in order to clear all the mechanisms behind the door skins. I started this mod on a customers truck a few years ago and ened up shaving the handles because of this problem...

[N2TRUX]

Originally posted by n2billet
I've seen this done a few times. If memory serves me correct you have to mount the handle below the body line in order to clear all the mechanisms behind the door skins.....

This is correct. The design of the 88-98 handle has in internal mechanism. There is not enough room to mount it above the top body line inside the 73-87 door. It must be mounted right below the top body line.

Like the man said, at this point you may as well shave it...