outside door handle is flimsy

[lowride]

Hi, I recently bought my 86 C-10 fleetside shortbed pickup. I am planning lots of projects to make it my last ride. One thing that I noticed is that both outside door handles seem very flimsy when pulled (kinda like the tin can motion). Is this normal or is there some type of support inside the door that has come loose allowing this to occur? It sure doesn't seem normal to me. Any help would be appreciated.

[zieg85]

Unfortunately it sounds like you have aftermarket doors, they are not the best quality...

[nlauffer]

I had a buddy, whose pickup was beat up bad.  His door handles would pull out a little at the button end.  They were original doors, but I assume had seen a very hard life.  Most of the rest of the pickup had.

Never tried it, but I had thought about using some small square tubing or angle (like what you can get at the parts store or Orshcelns), 1/2" or smaller.  Glue it to the inside of the door around the handle with body weld adhesive.  Either in a rectangle surrounding it or just above and below.  You could even take it a step further and attach it to the opposite inside of the door.  Sort of like making a roll cage for the door handle.  The expense would be in the body panel adhesive unless you can get a body shop or someone to donate a small amount.

Again, I have never tried this, but had thought it might be something that would work.

[lowride]

Thanks for that info I was wondering why there is relatively little rust in the doors. I may try using structural adhesive to reinforce the inside of the doors around the handle and see how it works. Or find some good used original doors.

[Captkaos]

Technically if you are having to "PULL" them I would look at your latch and the striker bolt..
There is no reinforcement in them for the handle the door should just release with a little effort.