crew cab rear door inner latch bezel

[1972hiboy]

I wish I had a picture for reference. But you guys with crew cabs know what im talking about. on the rear doors for the latch to let yourself out they have a plastic bezel that surrounds it. Has anyone tried to copy these out of aluminum? The shop next door to my work is a CNC guy who makes medical equipment. He has always said he could make stuff for me if I wanted. Ive been thinking about asking him. I think it would look good and be more durable, I mean sooner or later somebody is going to knock those things and break one. I was looking of one of mine last night and its was cracked and glued back to gether.Thoughts?

[Calfdemon]

I have never seen them re-popped in any fashion, but would be very interested in a pair if you decide to go that route since like you said, it is only a matter of time till one gets hit and breaks. I know a few other crew owners that would want them too. In fact, a buddy of mine does not have them at all and has been looking for years. So if they come out decent, I am fairly certain he would buy a pair also.

[Ranchero50]

Post up a picture. Are they the same as the fairlane / torino's use?

[1972hiboy]

Post up a picture. Are they the same as the fairlane / torino's use?

Agreed I should have taken a picture when I was out there last night. I didnt think about it until I was laying in bed ( thats where all the important thinking happenes). Im not sure its the same, Ive only seen them on the crew cabs rear doors. I could be wrong. Calfdemon, if your truck is handy would you mind snapping a pic and posting? I probably wont be able to get back to my dads until next week. If not i'll get one then.

edit, I found this pic in my other thread dedicated to the truck. its not the greatest but id does show the black plastic bezel that surrounds the door release latch.

[fordman]

I thought those were the same cups as the 70-72 fiber door panel cups. Jttp://m.ebay.com/itm/350426593893?nav=SEARCH they do look exactly like the car type.

[Ranchero50]

They look like something out of a van

[Calfdemon]

I have never seen them on a car, and the word is that Ford reused them from the 60's era Econoline vans, although, they were not on all of the vans and were only used on certain trim packages. When Ford made crew cabs, they used existing parts instead of making new ones. The part number on the bezels was checked by numbersdummy on the other site years ago and it is a LONG obsolete part that was rare to start with.

I have been looking for them and have never found them in an Econoline van to this day and of course, finding a crew cab in a junk yard is nearly impossible as well. Anyway, here my rear doors with the bezel in place around the door latch as requested:





And here are some front and back pics of them not installed:

[1972hiboy]

You are the man, I just got one of mine popped off yesterday.

[Ranchero50]

Maybe a dumb question, but what does the panel look like behind them?

Seems odd that Ford would use common parts for the rest of the door and then mount the latch there. No arm rests?

[1972hiboy]

underneath the bezel on mine is just the doorpanel and the plastic cup behind the latch. The bezel looks like it was literally just screwed into the door panel behind it.

[Ranchero50]

underneath the bezel on mine is just the doorpanel and the plastic cup behind the latch. The bezel looks like it was literally just screwed into the door panel behind it.

Then I don't see why they didn't just put another set of arm rests on and be done with it. Might seem goofy with the window crank in the back but at least they would have something there.

[1972hiboy]

underneath the bezel on mine is just the doorpanel and the plastic cup behind the latch. The bezel looks like it was literally just screwed into the door panel behind it.

Then I don't see why they didn't just put another set of arm rests on and be done with it. Might seem goofy with the window crank in the back but at least they would have something there.

Yeah, im really not sure of their (ford's) rationale on this one. A arm rest in the back would seem very desirable. If I was riding back there I would certainly appreciate one.
So i brought that piece to the shop next door. And I should have been able to answer my own question if it had been done before and I can see why not. Its expensive. To make the mold/ prototype will be in the 240 range. Then after that is sucessfully done each one will prob be in the 80-100 a piece range. I mean still if you have a crew and need a set I can see spending the money. Im thinking im going to go ahead and forge on and just focus on getting the protptype made and see how it comes out with its finnish and all and get one set made. then if they turn out decent ill post up the idea to everybody to see if anybody wants a set.