Hey, guys. It's time to replace my door seals. Tried JC Whitney, but customer service couldn't agree on part #s, so I went to Fairchild's(one of Whitney's suppliers) website, got some #s, back to Whitney. Way more $ than expected, and some bits they don't offer. Found all the parts @ Steele Rubber Products, but $200 just to do the back doors. The truck has a long history of sitting, weatherstrip is shot all around. Anybody have any luck w/ a supplier that I haven't found yet? Thing leaks like a sieve.

 

Steele Rubber Products is by far one of the best aftermarket manufacturers I've ever seen---bar none.

Depending on your skill level and patience buying a full roll (50') of a generic weatherstriping might be your best alternative.

Considering this van has been out of production for 34 years any parts still available are pretty much a bargain.

IF you need actual Ford part numbers for the wanted seals contact member NumberDummy---he has an amazing library of original information for such things.


HTH

 

Thanks, I guess I'm just a cheapo. This truck, so far, including a new Holley 4160, fuel pump, a couple of gauge sending units and other little stuff has cost under $1k. Total. Runs like a champ. I think I'll pony up for the good stuff. Thank you also for the NumberDummy site. I had also considered trying a Ford dealership, maybe they'll surprise me. If I do choose to go some cheaper route, I'll post back my results. Maybe as a cautionary tale, or not, for the benefit of others.

 

NumberDummy is a member here on FTE---its not a stand alone or apart site.

These sorts of parts begin disappearing from inventories within 10 years of any one vehicle's end of life. Sometimes we need to improvise or construct our own restoration parts if we're intent on keeping them serviceable.

Good luck with your project and search!

 

here are some part numbers I researched when looking for weather stripping for my 88 e150...
Do check with Number Dummy and verify these numbers are correct.. I hope they are because I already bought most of my weatherstripping.

your front doors should have a two piece window weatherstrip. The piece between the vent window and roll down window is called division bar. it changed to a 1 piece in 11/1984 according to my info.. all the rest of the weatherstripping should be the same for 82 or 88...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ip-to-buy.html


If you find any numbers that are different, or don't fit your van, if you could, post them to the site link above so we will have the numbers all in one place to help others..
Anna

 

sometimes the clips pull ,out and tear the rubber
glue would provide a quick fix

 

Thanks for all the replies. I haven't acted yet, but will post, and include any info I pick up along the way. Keep Workin' Them Angels, Anna. (Gratuitous Rush reference)

 

Have done the back doors w/ Steele(nice stuff), am doing a little comparison. When complete, will post results. Always fun to learn when doing something new, when I can put something comprehensive together will be happy to share.

 

I have an '88 van and I replaced both front doors and the back doors. The front doors I ordered from Steele, later when I did the back doors I purchased the seals from "RockAuto". It ended up that the back seals were from Steele! And cheaper then buying direct!

 

RA list Fairchild and Metro for weatherstripping they carry today.. Was it one of those two brands?

I acquired oem Ford seals for both rear doors, side doors, and one push out front door vent. I will be using aftermarket for the front doors and window sweeps. If you guys feel like it, feel free to post some tips and tricks yo learned when installing the new weatherstripping..

The Ford ones I bought appear to be in great shape and are still very soft but the peel off strips are coming loose in some places so I will have to clean and re-glue the weatherstrip. It looks like a job best done with a helper..

 

Hi, jimbbski and annaleigh. I purchased and installed the back door 'strip from Steele, which were made in-house. The nice fellow on the phone told me that his sliding door part was not one of their own, they get it from Metro-Moulded. Rock Auto had the same part(Metro-Moulded)much cheaper. I called Metro direct to see if I could get a roll of the stuff to do the slider and front doors, as they are the same material, and it turns out Metro does not make the slider part in-house either. It comes to them cut to size. It was cheaper to get it from RA. I am now considering ordering some Fairchild stuff for the front doors, but it costs more than the Metro stuff, and I'm not sure I want to spend just for comparison's sake. I've got a feeling most of this stuff is coming from the same factory in China. BTW, thanks again, annaleigh, your link was quite helpful.

 

Hello, folks. It's been a while since I last posted on this little project. Got busy and it had to wait, but I eventually ordered front door seals from Steele. What arrived was very nice material, but the adhesive had zero grab. Odd because the back door material was very grippy, with a very strong initial tack. I called, and they shipped out another set immediately, arriving in 2 days. The new stuff was marginally better, if at all, so I just glued it with 3M Super Black. Unfortunately, now the door wouldn't close except with force sufficient to push the upper right(least strong) part of the door out away from the body of the truck. The bind started on the hinge end, so no adjustment. I let it sit closed over night. Next day, no better, so I thought maybe I did it the wrong way. Cool thing to learn about the 3M adhesive was after sliding a utility knife down the edge to release the stuff it still had some tack. So I turned the seal the other way and tried that, no better. Then tried gluing it to the flange, but that was worse. I called Steele again, and as before they were more than willing to help. I emailed them some pic.s and my VIN, and they sent me an electronic catalogue, and are sending some samples of what they thought might work as well as one that looked close to me. So this is still ongoing, but I must emphasize how courteous they have been, and I'm sure it will work out. A fellow once told me that you don't know about a supplier until there is a problem and you see how they handle it. Will report back when I have learned something new. Cheers!

 

Thanks for the update Rugster. Sorry you are having a hard time with the new seals and the doors not closing. I have read that is a problem with many who have installed new seals. I will be watching your thread as I was able to get oem Ford weatherstripping for the back and side doors but not the front doors. JWA told me to just use some (i believe) silicone on the old seals as they look to be in good shape. I can hear wind from time to time and the silicone will help soften them up. They were replaced once before I believe. The main problem on my front doors is the (i cant remember what they are called, duh) the ones that scrape the windows as you roll them up and down!
That's great to know about Steel Rubber as that is probably who I will order mine from for the front.

 

Hi, Annaleigh. Not knowing if what was on there was a replacement is also a bit of a difficulty for me. When I get something that works, I'll let everyone know what it is. Maybe some images when I get a web-hosting app. Haven't yet started thinking seriously about windows, but probably will eventually. Sharing helps learning.

 

Just wanted to say thanks to rugster1 for keeping us updated on the progress. It's always frustrating to me when the poster goes away and you never find out what happened.

And of course thanks to our long time members that dedicate their time to help.