Door Mechanism Question

[cntryboy]

1963 C-10

This truck is all original. My father in law has had it for 40 years. Three years ago, I had it painted, and the body shop repaired the front panels on the doors that always rust. In doing so, they apparently removed and re-installed the door latch mechanisms.

I immediately realized that I had to push the door handle down instead of up to open the door. No big deal. Someday I'll take the door panel off and flip whatever needs flipping. Someday was three years later.

Apparently, the links and the pieces the door handle attaches to were on the wrong side. The links attached above the door handles instead of below. Seems like an easy fix, I just switched sides with the mechanisms.

Now I pull the handle up to open the door. Except the door won't open. There is not enough stroke. I can pull the handle up as far as it will go, and have to give the latch another little pull to open the door. Same problem on both sides.

Any ideas? I can take it to the guy that did it, but three years later, I should pay.

Thanks in advance.

[1963c-10]

Make sure all components are where they need to be 1st.... Then check the lock (16.330)

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by cntryboy

1963 C-10

This truck is all original. My father in law has had it for 40 years. Three years ago, I had it painted, and the body shop repaired the front panels on the doors that always rust. In doing so, they apparently removed and re-installed the door latch mechanisms.

I immediately realized that I had to push the door handle down instead of up to open the door. No big deal. Someday I'll take the door panel off and flip whatever needs flipping. Someday was three years later.

Apparently, the links and the pieces the door handle attaches to were on the wrong side. The links attached above the door handles instead of below. Seems like an easy fix, I just switched sides with the mechanisms.

Now I pull the handle up to open the door. Except the door won't open. There is not enough stroke. I can pull the handle up as far as it will go, and have to give the latch another little pull to open the door. Same problem on both sides.

Any ideas? I can take it to the guy that did it, but three years later, I should pay.

Thanks in advance.

i think your handle is too high up, try taking it off and put back on, but facing more down...

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Make sure all components are where they need to be 1st....

i see u havent lost ur quickness on posts!!!

[forestb]

Correct me if I am wrong but I think if the door handles are facing down you will pull back on them to unlock and push forward to lock.

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by forestb

Correct me if I am wrong but I think if the door handles are facing down you will pull back on them to unlock and push forward to lock.

no your right, that extra draw back is what he needs. his said in his post he needs to give an extra bump, i think if he changes the handle angle i should solve it...

[61K10]

My handles point down and you pull back to open the door

[cntryboy]

61K10 - That is interesting. Yours seems to rotate backwards from the others. That is the way mine was working that I thought was incorrect. My father has a 66, and with the handle facing forward, you pull it up to open.

I can't gain any stroke by moving the handle. The mechanism (whatever it's called) that the door handle goes on has a hard limit after it rotates so far. I gain my little extra by using my other hand to reach inside the door and pull the lever on the latch.

Dumb question, but does everyone agree that if the handle is facing forward, you pull up to open, or are some model years backwards from that?

Thanks for all of the help.

[1963c-10]

In the 60-63's at least....you pull the handles toward you to open the door....forward to lock.

I also place mine down as seen in this pic

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

i see u havent lost ur quickness on posts!!!

haha...just in the right place at the right time I suppose.

[jonzcustomshop]

super frustrating if you own a 60-63, and a 64-66 and drive them both in the same day... 60-63 handles turn down to go open, and the 64-66 turn up- they work in the opposite direction, so you end up turning it the wrong way locking the door, and bashing your shoulder into the unopened locked door!

[cntryboy]

I guess when I was used to pulling up, the handles were facing the other way. The bright side is now I know how to switch them back. I'm blaming my wife. She told me they were backwards.

Thanks for the help.

[61K10]

thanks for the tip jonz--learn something everyday.