My door strikers are a formed one piece and I notice a lot of repro have a riveted lower catch. Some claiming to be NOS also have a riveted lower catch. Is there one better than the other in regards to the striker? Which is preference, formed or riveted? Thank you
The "formed" or "riveted" are actually for different years. The formed units are for early AD with turndown outside handles, the riveted are for 52-55 AD with pushbutton handles. They are not interchangeable; since your Suburban is a '53 you must use the riveted style.
When I swapped later-model doors onto my panel I had to hybridize the two styles to make the doors latch.
From Left: Early style (47-51), late style (52-55), hybrid.
