newer door panel swap
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 77
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From: Lexington
newer door panel swap
I have an 81 F100, fixing-up on and have been thinging about swaping out the door panels for a newer model. I have the doors with slider locks. Do any of you know what years I can do this with? Just wanting to update the interior some if I can on the cheap side.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Correct. 82's and later had the pin-style locks, as vehicles had for years prior to '80 and did for years after '81. Not sure why Ford thought they had a better idea, but it sure didn't prove out. I have two 81's, both of which have lock problems.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
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From: Lost
The 82-86 door panels will fit perfectly, while 87- up may require minor tweaking.
Converting to the top-pull lock ***** will also require changing the door latches.
FWIW, my 80 has not had those sliders the entire time I have owned it, ~15 years. I usually have a pocket clip for my cell phone, and will clip it into the holes in door panels while driving. How forward thinking was ford to equip a truck will "cell phone holders", years before the hand-held cell phone was even invented?
Converting to the top-pull lock ***** will also require changing the door latches.
FWIW, my 80 has not had those sliders the entire time I have owned it, ~15 years. I usually have a pocket clip for my cell phone, and will clip it into the holes in door panels while driving. How forward thinking was ford to equip a truck will "cell phone holders", years before the hand-held cell phone was even invented?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
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From: Florida
If I remember correctly, to use 1987-1996 door panels, you will have to relocate the armrest brace on the door. Other than that, they should work fine.
However, in my opinion, the newer door panels don't match your current dash, so I would stick with late 1981-1986 door panels. I swapped to 1982 door panels on my truck, and swapping the door lock mechanisms wasn't very hard at all. The hardest part is drilling the hole in the top of your door for the lock rod, however Ford always drilled the hole oversize, so you can do the same and have room for it to move if you're a little off.
However, in my opinion, the newer door panels don't match your current dash, so I would stick with late 1981-1986 door panels. I swapped to 1982 door panels on my truck, and swapping the door lock mechanisms wasn't very hard at all. The hardest part is drilling the hole in the top of your door for the lock rod, however Ford always drilled the hole oversize, so you can do the same and have room for it to move if you're a little off.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Florida
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 901
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From: South Jersey
I swapped my 86 panels with an 89. I can't tell the difference in maroon colors. I think there's 1 or 2 of the plastic panel "screws" that need holes drilled for them as they are either not there or in a slightly different location. I think the metal piece that hooks up to the arm rest has to be moved a little bit as well. Overall not a big deal.
One thing to keep in mind the glass in the 80-86 is the same in aggregate but different per piece. the little window that slides out and the main window are larger/smaller in 87+.
One thing to keep in mind the glass in the 80-86 is the same in aggregate but different per piece. the little window that slides out and the main window are larger/smaller in 87+.
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