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#1
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Door Exact Interchange?
I was always under the impression that 1970-1981 Firebird doors were the same. I began looking yesterday and now some people are telling me there is a difference between early '70s and later '70s.
So, which is it?
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"What the hell's wrong with freedom man? That's what it's all about." (Billy) "Oh yeah, that's what it's all about alright... but talkin about it and bein it, that's two different things." (George) Easyrider |
#2
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The main difference is with the inner panel which changed several times through the 2nd Gen years. Are you looking for a specific year?
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#3
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Also in 73 the doors got heavy because crash beams were installed inside the door. Exterior door handles got smaller(shorter) on later years.
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73 T/A 455, 4speed |
#4
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The car with the rusty door is a '73. I had a near perfect 73 door that I sold thinking that I didn't need it. Doh! I have never seen a door rotted quite like this before. The outside and where it is crimped together on the bottom is good. But, on the flat part between the weatherstrip and the outside of the door it has a half dozen holes about the size of the head of a pin. Ideally I would get one that was badly damaged on the outside(as in crashed) for free or nearly free and cut a piece out to replace the rotten metal on mine. But, that is certainly a long shot.
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"What the hell's wrong with freedom man? That's what it's all about." (Billy) "Oh yeah, that's what it's all about alright... but talkin about it and bein it, that's two different things." (George) Easyrider |
#5
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Much easier to find a 73 -81 door than an 70-72. You can switch everything you need from your rusty door over.
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73 T/A 455, 4speed |
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#6
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Quote:
Ford used some of that affected metal around the 72 time period, they did step up, and provide new sheet metal, no charge, if you complained, it was not a well known recall. It affected especially their light duty trucks. Another example was, 65-67 ford full size cars used the bad metal in their frame stampings, huge sections of the frame would just disintegrate, rendering cars with good bodies scrap yard foder. Then of course, Toyota had the runs of bad frames in their pickups too, to their credit they either replaced the frames, or took the trucks in on trade, at blue book prices. |
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#7
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Quote:
They all accept the chrome potmetal door handle bezels & long style outer door handles. '75 models, that spot welded in inner panel is stamped differently. '70 doors could be considered one model year only, as they have the tiny drain slots & flaps on the bottom edge. Probably a name for that feature, not that hard for a serious restorer of a '70 to modify a '71-74 donor door, if needed. '70 LeMans/GTO are that way too. '71's no longer have the little flaps. If one really wants to get anal, there are minute differences between '70, 71, & 72 doors. Mid 2nd Gen Bird doors can be made into early 2nd Gen doors, though it is quite a bit of work make the inner panel cosmetics look identical to a '70-71 or '72-74.
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Buzzards gotta eat... same as worms. |
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#8
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So, if I am reading your post correctly, the only doors that will be exactly the same as my '73 are '73/'74?
__________________
"What the hell's wrong with freedom man? That's what it's all about." (Billy) "Oh yeah, that's what it's all about alright... but talkin about it and bein it, that's two different things." (George) Easyrider |
#9
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Those were installed in 1970, have a few here.
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"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather |
#10
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Quote:
That said, I have swapped out just the inner door parts needed for an early door panel and used 1980 doors on a few early birds.
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"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather |
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#11
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I just want to intervene incase it is worth mentioning;
These differences are all minute, and once installed on the car with door panels installed - only the most stringent of scrutinies can yield a difference. For all intents, and purposes, all years interchange. The biggest difference you will find between early and mid 70's (or later) doors is that the early cars all used a bolt on door handle assembly, where as the later cars used one which was pop riveted in place. But, as far as I know, a later door can be adapted to an early car without any real issue - but I'd suggest you test fit the door panel BEFORE paint just incase.
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car. Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left. 1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing) 2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs) |
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