are sliding doors interchangeable across years

[colmenarjim]

all, simple question. I need to replace a sliding door, I've got a 81 'long handle' bus, would a later door fit?
thanks for any help

[Plasticman]

in a word NO, but with work and the bits and welding .yes,
mm

[colmenarjim]

simple answer, thanks

[eiret25]

I am not 100% but I think there was a design change sometime between 1984 and 85, which resulted in non compatibility betwenn pre and post 84/85 sliding doors. If you obtain a door from a van of the same age it should fit. As I said, Im not 100%

[colmenarjim]

all, is it only early doors that have the trim fitted to them that line up with the handle? not sure quite how else to describe it, it's a section of black plastic fitted to the door skin which from a distance would look like the end of the handle.
when the handle's turned it stays where it is.
I'm looking at one & the bloke isn't sure if it's early or late & from the pictures there's no handle but the bit of trim is,
Cheers Jim

[silverbullet]

That sounds like an early one, with the pip/fin that reduces the gap at the open end of the outside handle.

[zxr750]

in a word NO, but with work and the bits and welding .yes,
mm

Sorry to drag this thread up but my early slider is as rotten as a pear along the bottom, inner and outer.
What would be the easiest and neatest way to go, whats quoted here by mm or inner and outer repair panels welded in?

[zxr750]

Would be interested to hear what's involved.

[Plasticman]

Briefly, to fit later to an early van ,
complete door with locks and latches
on C post is a metal bracket /fabrication with latch pin, you need this lot
on B post, depending on which lock mech you have then you will need an area cutting from a donor with the respective parts fitted,
also i believe you will need to retain your middle hinge/roller assembly as the later oner and its repective guide runner are different , ( will stand correcting on this as ive changed the runner (due to backing panal rot) for the later one at same time.
I know there is the reference to long handle /short handle etc , but easier to just look at the C post latch for 100% certainty. i did post up picks of this a while ago ,where/when cant recall
regards to door repair, skinning can be done very well so you wont tell as can the inner repair , why not post up some picks to give a better idea, also with regards to repair, it would depend on the condition of the rest of the door
mm

[zxr750]

Here's some pics mm,
I think an inner and outer skin will do it.
I asked the original question because I thought it might of been neater but sounds like a lot of trouble.
What panel make do you recommend for this job?

[Plasticman]

Don't think there's much in it the outers I've had from krappers and schofirlds have both been ok ,the inners are not brilliant but useable if you can't make your own and you don't really red to use l of it but beware if you do it wrong the door wl never fit right and the bott edge will catch on the metal will
mm