Interior Door Handle Orientation

[ol Curt]

I have seen these things turned different directions in pictures and movies. Anyone know the correct orientation for our trucks door handles?

[aerotruk63]

Most of my pictures from GM literature have the door handle hanging vertical. I read this was to avoid self locking when the door is shut abruptly.

[Rich 5150 69]

All of my trucks were horizontal....! Am I missing something

[ol Curt]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Most of my pictures from GM literature have the door handle hanging vertical. I read this was to avoid self locking when the door is shut abruptly.

I have seen the same and wondered if it was related to no armrest.

[aerotruk63]

I think the horizontal position is ergonomic for usage. The vertical position will prevent your door from locking but you have to awkwardly push it to open the door.

All these pictures could be the same truck in different photo shoots! LOL

[Rich 5150 69]

When I say all of my trucks that was only three, `64 now, 65 first truck and a `66, and all three were horizonal pointing forward. The first two had arm rest, the 64 only had one..but who knows what the po did to it, it was a basket case when I bought it.

[tazattitude]

hmmm, interesting. I just put mine facing about 2 o'clock.
I wouldn't think facing at 7 0'clock would be too save. You bump it and your door is going to open.
They know better that I do though.

[Clyde65]

Ok, how do yall keep the handles and window cranks on? do you use some kind of lock tight on the set screws or?

[markeb01]

I’ve often wondered if there was a fundamental change in the linkage between 63 and 64. All the 60-63’s I’ve even seen have the window winder handle pointing essentially straight down with the door handle angling slightly to the rear. The door handle is pulled to the rear to open and forward to lock.

I’ve seen photos of 64-66 model door handles pointing straight forward. If the locking mechanism works the same way as the 60-63, this would seem awkward to operate since the handle would have to be pushed downward to open the door, and upward to lock. I've never been in a 64-66 so I don't know which direction the handle moves to open the door.

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Ok, how do yall keep the handles and window cranks on? do you use some kind of lock tight on the set screws or?

Yes, and I still have to tighten the driver side 3 or 4 times a year!

[aerotruk63]

Some of the pictures have the door mounted round rear view mirror dangling as opposed to the standing position but that's another subject.

[Rich 5150 69]

old pic
I no longer have the door handles, they were to beat up, used VW finger pulls.

[ol Curt]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Some of the pictures have the door mounted round rear view mirror dangling as opposed to the standing position but that's another subject.

Do you by chance have any '66 literature that might show a pic?

[TopFuel1966]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Ok, how do yall keep the handles and window cranks on? do you use some kind of lock tight on the set screws or?

I drilled and tapped mine to take a 1/4-28 allen head set screw. No more loose handles.

I owned a new '64 C-10. The door handles were set at 2:00.

[Rich 5150 69]

Originally Posted by TopFuel1966

I drilled and tapped mine to take a 1/4-28 allen head set screw. No more loose handles.

I owned a new '64 C-10. The door handles were set at 2:00.

Thats a good idea...just like the mopars..

[1963c-10]

I keep mine at the 6:00 open which is like 4:00-5:00 locked.

[aerotruk63]

Originally Posted by ol Curt

Do you by chance have any '66 literature that might show a pic?

I'm sorry but I limit my spending on 63 only. Wish I worked for Autolit.com

MusicMan 70 shared this photo from 1964




LILRED66 shared this:

[Corts60]

Unless your going for concourse, I would say do what is comfortable and most attractive to you.

I personally keep my door handle facing at 3 o'clock, for no particular reason, so you have to push it down to open the door. It cracks me up whenever anyone else is in there because they always pull it up to try and get out.

The window regulator I also have facing at 3 o'clock when the window is fully closed that way it doesn't get in the way of my knee leaning against the door while driving.

[oem4me]

Both my 65 Suburban and 66 C-10 have the handles horizontal/forward. These two trucks are about as un-messed with as you are going to find, so I think they came this way.

[jimmydean]

I put mine pointing down because I thought it looked best. But now that I see the shots of it at 7:00 (or would that be 7:30 ) I think they look better that way.

I don't currently have arm rests, but I am strongly considering adding them.

[MisterC]

As if I don't have enough truck details to fret about on a daily basis...you guys give me one more thing to ponder.

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by oem4me

Both my 65 Suburban and 66 C-10 have the handles horizontal/forward. These two trucks are about as un-messed with as you are going to find, so I think they came this way.

So when you are getting out of the truck do you push down or pull up on the handle?

[MisterC]

On my '66, I pull up to open the door and push down to lock it.

[aerotruk63]

My 64 GMC used to lock itself all the time. Weak retaining spring. Never locked the vent window so I could get back in.

[losthope]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I’ve often wondered if there was a fundamental change in the linkage between 63 and 64. All the 60-63’s I’ve even seen have the window winder handle pointing essentially straight down with the door handle angling slightly to the rear. The door handle is pulled to the rear to open and forward to lock.

I’ve seen photos of 64-66 model door handles pointing straight forward. If the locking mechanism works the same way as the 60-63, this would seem awkward to operate since the handle would have to be pushed downward to open the door, and upward to lock. I've never been in a 64-66 so I don't know which direction the handle moves to open the door.

Originally Posted by MisterC

On my '66, I pull up to open the door and push down to lock it.

So 60-63 and 64-65 are different as to which way you pull opens and locks the door you guys are saying ? On my 65 and 66 they were/are both in the horizontal position and pull up to open and push down to lock. it makes sense to me if it was the other way for 60-63 that the handle be in the more vertical position to pull back to open and push forward to lock. And on the 63 i had i didnt pay attention to the handles the little time i had it.

As far as window handles ( on any of my classic cars) i always set them at the 3 o'clock (horizontal) position when the window is rolled all the way up.

And on at least my 65 and 66 i think it looks best when both handles are facing the 3 o'clock position(horizontal) when the door is just latched(unlocked) and windows up.