Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Installing New Door Tag Rivets

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2020 | 06:41 PM
  #1  
440 sixpack's Avatar
440 sixpack
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,903
Likes: 2,372
Installing New Door Tag Rivets

I assume Ford had a special tool for the hollow door tag rivets . has anyone found a good tool or method of installing them that resembles the original look ?
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2020 | 06:55 PM
  #2  
77&79F250's Avatar
77&79F250
Moderator & parts slinger
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,266
Likes: 5,822
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Club FTE Gold Member
I'd ask the folks at Marti Auto and see what they have or suggest, since they offer them with their reproduced Warranty plate.

https://www.martiauto.com/

I would say you are going to have to take the interior door panel off and get access to the back side of the rivet. Then buck the back side like a normal one, all the while holding the head flush seated with a flat bar.

If you are not worried with 110% authenticity, then I'd just use a regular rivet and rivet gun.
 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 12:18 AM
  #3  
440 sixpack's Avatar
440 sixpack
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,903
Likes: 2,372
I strive for 120% originality so the correct rivets are a must. I did find a tag reproduction outfit that says to epoxy the rivets in and don't try to expand them.

Not my first choice but I guess it would work.
 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 03:01 AM
  #4  
Josep66's Avatar
Josep66
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 206
Likes: 3
From: Ibiza Island
What I have heard is that those rivets were punched with anything you can do it. Obviously Ford people should have used a particular one, but a thin round chisel would work I would say..

 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 08:39 AM
  #5  
77&79F250's Avatar
77&79F250
Moderator & parts slinger
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,266
Likes: 5,822
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by 440 sixpack
I strive for 120% originality so the correct rivets are a must. I did find a tag reproduction outfit that says to epoxy the rivets in and don't try to expand them. Not my first choice but I guess it would work.
You would want to use an epoxy with some flexibility when set up, a few door closes and they might pop right off.

You might ask Joe, read thru his thread and you will see he is a 200% originality kinda guy. And hit his mark for sure.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...storation.html
 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 08:56 AM
  #6  
73 hi-boy 428 fe's Avatar
73 hi-boy 428 fe
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 232
I read you just tap the center in and be done with it. It is a special Rivet per say. It is not one that goes into a rivet gun. You can see where the river will split and leave pieces to grip the edges.

 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 09:31 AM
  #7  
440 sixpack's Avatar
440 sixpack
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,903
Likes: 2,372
I did the push the center in thing a few years ago on another Ford and while they held they never did tighten up properly. I suppose a combination of epoxy and pushing the center in might do it.

Ford must have had a tool that had a ball expander or something. it makes sense these would be difficult to replicate since they are the VIN tag actually.
 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2020 | 11:27 AM
  #8  
mikeo0o0o0's Avatar
mikeo0o0o0
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Club FTE Gold Member
The replacement rivets from Marti aren't exactly like original. Ford did use a specific production tool to set the door tag rivets. With the Marti rivets you use a 3/16" punch and tap them gently, just enough to expand them. If you get carried away what will happen is the shank of the rivet expands then starts to contract again making a loose fit.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CharlieLed
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
Jul 6, 2014 10:38 PM
winslow33
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Apr 10, 2012 04:15 PM
79fordf250pickup
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Feb 15, 2010 09:53 PM
77 ford shortbed
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
31
Oct 23, 2009 11:15 PM
Copedawg
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
9
Feb 7, 2007 01:20 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:18 PM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE