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Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Body/Appearance/Interior => Topic started by: Fordracer08 on November 07, 2012, 04:43:02 PM

Title: Outside door handles the same as Mustang?
Post by: Fordracer08 on November 07, 2012, 04:43:02 PM
Are the outside door handles from a Fox body Mustang the same as the ones on the Fox body T-Birds?
Title: Outside door handles the same as Mustang?
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 07, 2012, 04:54:15 PM
Yes, through 1986. After that the Mustangs got flimsy plastic handles. But the earlier metal ones are the same as our cars.
Title: Outside door handles the same as Mustang?
Post by: Fordracer08 on November 07, 2012, 08:48:48 PM
So the aftermarket metal door handles for the Fox body Mustangs will work on my 86 T-Bird? I was thinking of blacking out the trim and putting black door handles on it.
Title: Outside door handles the same as Mustang?
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 07, 2012, 09:14:09 PM
Yes, that will work.
Title: Outside door handles the same as Mustang?
Post by: 88turbo on November 07, 2012, 09:34:02 PM
Quote from: EricCoolCats;402157
Yes, through 1986. After that the Mustangs got flimsy plastic handles. But the earlier metal ones are the same as our cars.

Eric, I would really hate to tell you that you might be wrong...  but didnt all fox mustangs use these handles and they went to the flimsy ones in 94?
Title: Outside door handles the same as Mustang?
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 07, 2012, 10:08:15 PM
Well, the SN95 handles were certainly flimsy. :)

The change was in 1987 IIRC. My buddy ordered a '92 LX 5.0 new and I'm pretty sure it has the plastic handles. He never drives it in cold weather so no worries about snapping it off. His '86 GT has metal handles.

Here is a new original Ford plastic handle:
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-22405F/1979-93-Mustang-Lh-Black-Outer-Door-Handle-Plastic-Ford-Original
Note the benefit at the bottom: "OEM Ford Part"

And here's a metal handle for the same:
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-22405RK/Mustang-LH-Black-Outer-Door-Handle
Note the benefit at the bottom: "Replaces Commonly Broken Plastic Door Handle"

And the description:
Quote
This is a driver's side outer door handle for your 1979-1993 Mustang. The original door handles on the later Fox Mustangs were made from plastic and commonly tend to break over time. Our new replacement door handles are made from metal instead of plastic for a long lasting fix for your Mustang. This door handle comes painted black and ready to install.

It was common for Mustang guys to replace the plastic ones with metal ones, since they look the same.
All you have to do is tap one to find out. ;)

AFAIK, only the Mustangs got the plastic handles. Everyone else had metal at that time.
The Mark VII has a horizontal line through the outer surface.
But most other Ford had them like ours...even Escort/Lynx, EXP/LN7, Tempo/Topaz, Fairmont/Zephyr, etc.
Title: Outside door handles the same as Mustang?
Post by: 88turbo on November 07, 2012, 10:20:34 PM
I learned something new! I thought they were all metal!!
Title: Outside door handles the same as Mustang?
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 07, 2012, 10:45:17 PM
I sometimes think I'm losing it...that made me do some research LOL.
Title: Outside door handles the same as Mustang?
Post by: Fordracer08 on November 08, 2012, 11:38:13 AM
Thanks Eric.
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