Skip to main content
Topic: Outside door handles the same as Mustang? (Read 1507 times) previous topic - next topic

Outside door handles the same as Mustang?

Are the outside door handles from a Fox body Mustang the same as the ones on the Fox body T-Birds?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
86 T-Bird V6 C5
91 F-150 5.0L 5spd
93 Mustang LX 351C C4
2013 Honda CRV AWD

Outside door handles the same as Mustang?

Reply #1
Yes, through 1986. After that the Mustangs got flimsy plastic handles. But the earlier metal ones are the same as our cars.

Outside door handles the same as Mustang?

Reply #2
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.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
86 T-Bird V6 C5
91 F-150 5.0L 5spd
93 Mustang LX 351C C4
2013 Honda CRV AWD


Outside door handles the same as Mustang?

Reply #4
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?

Outside door handles the same as Mustang?

Reply #5
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.



Outside door handles the same as Mustang?

Reply #8
Thanks Eric.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
86 T-Bird V6 C5
91 F-150 5.0L 5spd
93 Mustang LX 351C C4
2013 Honda CRV AWD