The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Suburban outside rear door handle?

Is that handle the same as the 47-51 cab door handle?

No.

Well,,yes and no. If you use only the handle,its the same.(i did it on my 54 panel)
You have to use the flat base from the panel truck handle...... So,,it takes a bit of imagineering. It involves taking apart the pickup door handle,,and switching the flat base(panel truck)/beveled base(pick up).
Then youre only rechroming the little base piece.
I know,,,lotta hassle,,,but it works.
Marty

So, then if my handle sags like most do, a new handle will fix this because I can use the guts and handle from the one but the old base?

I think the guts are different.

The sag is usually a spring inside that I've read is not the same as the spring in the doors.

On mine some of the sag was a worn square hole in the guts, and swaping that with another fixed some of the sag, but not the spring part. I'm wondering if a spring shop can make new ones, but I've not asked.

I should ask, because two of my brothers work at places that make springs...

No,,,I was just referring to the handle itself.
The innards is a whole different story.
Marty

The length of the post on the handle (and where the spring/lock attaches to the post) is different for different years of panel-door handles. You will need a handle with a post that matches the escutcheon that you plan to use. If you use your panel escutcheon with a side door handle, there is no guarantee that they will work.

However, most vendors will let you send back a part. Buy one for a side door. Send it back if it does not work and let us know if it works. Actually, the cost of shipping is so high that, if it does not work, you might as well keep it and sell it at a swap meet.

On my panel, the rear door handle has made a crescent shaped mark on the door. The handle is just rubbing on the door and now that it is almost ready for paint, I'm wondering how to avoid this problem. I'd appreciate any input.

Leo, I had the same problem on my panel with the handle rubbing the door. I couldn't see any type of adjustment that I could do to keep the handle from rubbing the new paint, What I ended up doing was taking the handle off the door and grinding just a little off the end to give it room to swing with out hitting the door. I know that wasn't the proper way to address that problem but it was the only solution I could find. Maybe someone will kick in and tell us what the real problem is with the handle.

These door handles had rubber gaskets. See if yours is worn or missing. Add a second gasket and see if that helps. The handle may be worn out and needs replacement. I know that passenger door handles can be modified to work, just reuse the rear door bezel and modify the shank as noted in the previous posts.

Mine rubs too.

The door handle on the barn doors for panels and subs was apparently a unique item, even though it LOOKS the same as the front door handles. Finding a good used one is pretty much impossible, I tired a few years back, but found the local chrome-plating shop (restoration stuff, not bumper grade) could fill in the pits and rechrome the handle for less than a new side-door one! I used Cambridge Chrome here in Ontario, Canada, www.custom-chrome.com ... they have a US address you can ship to.
The reason these handles sag is wear on both the square post of the handle and the square hole in the latch mechanism. Get your plating shop to rebuild the square post on the handle part ... I made a bushing to fit in the latch part to make it "square" again.