Rusteopathy

1990 pickup, extended cab. No fancy options in the door. Manual says: "Unscrew and remove bezel". The screw is out, but something is still holding the bezel in place. It moves slightly, so it's not adhesive. I've tried various combinations of handle open/closed and lock open/closed. So, what's the trick? I thought I'd ask before breaking something. The passenger side lock won't turn, so I need to access the lock from the inside.

Jimkola

slide it back about 1/4" after removing screw

Rusteopathy

Nope, no sliding. It feels like there's some molded-in tines clipping it to the door metal. It moves in relation to the screw hole about as much as I'd expect from some sort of protrusions. I thought maybe someone added such a feature to 1990 models "to speed assembly", until someone figured out that it couldn't be removed for service. I was hoping for "slide a screwdriver at the halfway point to disengage the clip" or some such trick. The other door's bezel is just as unmovable. My 85 truck had no such problems. Without knowing the trick, if there is one, I'll probably have to pry until something breaks. I don't think I can maneuver a mirror under the door panel well enough to see what's holding the bezel.

Discombobulated

Keep working on it, do not pry it!!!!! Maybe it’s just stuck with years of dirt funk but it does just slide as mentioned above. There should be no metal clips or any other clips holding it.

Jimkola

Have you tried sliding it forward? I would have sworn it slid towards the back, but looking at a replacement handle it may go the other way.
You do have the rod that attaches to it also, which could create some resistance

Discombobulated

Rusteopathy

Thank you. The image of the back of the bezel showed me how it's supposed to move. A tap with a hammer was needed to slide it over. I knew something was holding it down, but without seeing the configuration, I might have broken something experimenting. On my 85, the bezel was a simple tub, without lugs or other projections, and the handle wasn't attached to it. Now to unbolt the outer handle and see if I can get the lock unstuck.

FWIW, the bezels on my 85 were disintegrating; just turning to powder. I guess the plastic wasn't intended to last 30+ years.

Such a helpful group here.

Discombobulated

Yea breaking tabs is never fun and with that assembly it would be very hard to rig it to stay, glad you were patient

And be very careful unbolting the outside handle, the nut is pressed in the plastic and if it’s fused you will just turn the nut and then you’re hosed, I would almost see if you can try to do something behind the door panel with out taking the handle off first.

prcnctoyo

The grey door handle bezels and handles for 83-88 are still available. I got two bezels recently. A lot of the door plastic bits are still available also. So are the 83 - 87 inside and outside glass weather stripping. For years I just assumed I couldn't get some of these new.

If you've got something newer than 87/88 may be worth checking to see if new OEM parts are available.

Discombobulated

The handles are available for my 91 as of December last year, just an FYI to anyone reading this thread if you plan on keeping your truck or runner forever I would order a set, they aren’t cheap but if the tab breaks that connects the handle to the linkage and or hinge you are hosed. Reason I told the OP to be careful taking the two nuts off is when I replaced my handles the bolts that are pressed in the plastic just spin out and then you’re completely hosed. I guess it comes with owning a 33 year old truck, but the handles lasted 32 years so in 32 more I’ll be almost 80….

Rusteopathy

It all worked out well. I got the lock out. The problem was that the key was very poorly cut, so it fit the tolerances of the driver side and the ignition, with some minor issues, but wouldn't unlock the passenger lock. A bit of filing and a bit of solder on the too-low spots, and it now works. Now it only unlocks the driver's side in one orientation. It doesn't seem worth the effort to take that lock out to fit the key better. I'll get a new key made, since solder won't hold up well.

I planned to keep my 85 for the rest of my life, but road salt did it in. I didn't care about the body cancer, but I noticed cracks in the frame, and those would just keep growing. Thus my forum name of ""Rusteopathy", for what my previous truck suffered from. I'm planning to add a bottom shield to this truck to protect it from that salty mud.

Discombobulated

Excellent!!!