TheSamba.com :: View topic - Front door handles, recesses, and mechanisms

Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:23 pm

Here is a breakdown.
This thread is now in the Bus FAQ. If anyone has any further input, feel free to add it.

There are two, well three kinds of icepick doors.
Barndoor:

3/55 through VIN 705 xxx, larger finger recess:

the 61-12/63 kind has an indent where the door handle base goes.

64-67: (there are variations in push button doors as well, but general idea)

the door mechanism is completely different from icepick to push button.
icepick door mechanism:

push button back part of door mechanism (one of two kinds):

The above mechanism is '67 only but those can be fitted to earlier doors by filing the door's opening down to accommodate it.
This is the rotary latch from introduction up to the '67 improvement.

The ice pick pull handle door mechanism for 55-60 is different than 61-early 1964:
Driver's side:
211 837 015A/B up to chassis # 705 619
(A is earlier version)
211 837 015C from chassis # 705 620 to 1 222 025
211 837 015F from chassis # 1 222 026
(D/E also used, F superceded them)

Passenger side:
211 837 016A/B up to chassis # 705 619
(A is earlier version)
211 837 016C from chassis # 705 620 to 1 222 025
211 837 016F from chassis # 1 222 026
(D/E also used, F superceded them)

The ice pick pull handle door handle base is also different 55-60 than 61-early 1964 due to the change from flat door to recessed front doors.

The left mechanism is different than the right, passenger locks from inside, drivers doesn't. You don't want to accidentally lock the bus from the inside on the drivers side, cause then you can't open it from the outside. It is important to use a driver side mechanism on the drivers side, though they will fit the other way.

Exterior handles:
Barndoors use various handles dependent on the year, this thread covers some details
55-early 1961 front door handles:
Driver's side: 211 837 205 B
Passenger side: 113 837 206
(There may be some variations, such as 205A instead of 205B, more information welcome)
Early 1961-mid-64:
Driver's side: 211 837 205 E/F
Passenger side: 211/221 837 206A
(There may be some variations, such as 205D or 205D/E instead of 205E/F, more information welcome)
Example:
211 837 205D:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1281392

64-66:
Driver's side: 211 837 205 F/G
Passenger side: 211 837 205 F/G
67:
Driver's side: 211 837 205 K
Passenger side: 211 837 205 K
These handles are secured to the door by 2 M5x20 screws.

Inner Door Handles:
Early Buses, up to 16 Mar. 1960 VIN # 584674 used a chrome handle with a rib down the center as seen below.
Exception:
1959 Deluxes use the large chrome handles seen below as "60-65" Buses.

More photos:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_keywords=Ribbed+front+inner+door+handle

60-65 non-Deluxe Buses use a larger plastic door handle.
59-65 Deluxes were chrome.
Push-button front doors use an inner handle with a screw in the center.
Examples:

66-67 Buses use a small "flipper" front inner handle:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=860772
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=860771

The small flipper inner door handle was introduced at VIN 216 046 096 on Oct 19, 1965. Early 66s have the larger inner door handle

When the flipper was introduced, the doors got the door pull at the top.
The door pull takes up two of the spot that were used by the door clips, so an early 66 takes 21 door clips, and late 66 takes 19.

The door pull is attached with two screws that go into little metal bracket (speed clip?) that clips onto the door, as on this door
(This is a later 66 door on a Sept 65 built bus)

this door has the pressings for the clips, but is early 66 and never had the clips installed

If you are installing door pulls, put the metal speed clips in before you install the door panels.

IIRC, the earliest push button doors do not have the square pressings, though I am not sure when the pressings were introduced. They were introduced before the door handle change.

Thanks to Clara, EverettB, BarryL and others in this thread for the details.

Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:31 pm

Everett--

Could somebody show a photo/diagram of how the 66-67 door handle
interior reinforcement piece goes into the cab doors? When my Westy
was restored, the body shop neglected to reinstall them. I've never seen
a photo/diagram of how they go back in..

Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:16 am

Thanks, Everett- this helped clear up some questions I had about my 59. Seems the PO reversed the handles (locking handle on pass side) because the lock cylinder was nice and frozen up. When I got the truck there was no way to lock the driver's door. Now I know I need a lock cylinder and need to swap 'em back to their rightful places.

Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:55 pm

ohana59single wrote: Thanks, Everett- this helped clear up some questions I had about my 59. Seems the PO reversed the handles (locking handle on pass side) because the lock cylinder was nice and frozen up. When I got the truck there was no way to lock the driver's door. Now I know I need a lock cylinder and need to swap 'em back to their rightful places.

We can probably free up that cylinder.

Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:23 am

A
couple of icepick handles

Recess(top)/non recess(bottom)

Non recess (left)/Recess (right)

Lock barrel on the non recess is slightly longer I think too, will try to post picture

Sat Feb 18, 2012 9:47 am

can anyone tell me what year these part numbers are for ?

211 837 016C , 211 837 016B

split door mechanisms apparently

thanks in advance

Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:44 pm

splitscreendreammachine wrote: can anyone tell me what year these part numbers are for ?

211 837 016C , 211 837 016B

split door mechanisms apparently

thanks in advance

211 837 016B is non recess
3/55 through VIN 705 xxx

211 837 016C is recess
the 61-12/63

not sure if both are left or right

Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:37 am

thank you so much jacco

i managed to get a 211 837 015A today from a Vw meet

can anyone tell me what year that fits ?

It's a BUM part

Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:45 am

You can usually look parts up here
http://oacdp.com/5867part.html

A is not listed, which typically means it's an earlier version of the B part.
B should be an improvement to the A part that fits the same.

A is listed in my 1958 parts book.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:06 am

Thanks Everett this page has helped me immensely :)

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:06 am

splitscreendreammachine wrote: thank you so much jacco

i managed to get a 211 837 015A today from a Vw meet

can anyone tell me what year that fits ?

It's a BUM part

Let me know if you want to sell it, I am looking for an "A" or "B"

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:11 am

Door mechanisms ?

Does it matter which one i use for a locking and non locking side ?

can i use a 'b' part for the drivers side ? bearing in mind i have a RHD bus

( zuggbug if i cannot get it to fit i'll be in touch )

Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:36 am

splitscreendreammachine wrote: Door mechanisms ?

Does it matter which one i use for a locking and non locking side ?

can i use a 'b' part for the drivers side ? bearing in mind i have a RHD bus

( zuggbug if i cannot get it to fit i'll be in touch )
the two sides are different. both lock, but in different ways. you can tell which side it is by the parts number. generally it is odd for left hand side, and even for right hand side. the letter is a modification of a previous part number.

I would highly recommend to anyone trying to emulate a parts department, get a parts list and learn the VW parts numbering system.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:25 am

Yes, for the icepick doors you can put a drivers mechnism on the passenger side, and vise versa. They will fit in the doors.
But the left mechanism is different than the right. Passenger side locks from inside, drivers doesn't.
You don't want to accidentally lock the bus from the inside on the drivers side, cause then you can't open it from the outside.

(Push button doors are different from ice pick. Left mechanism is left, right is right)

Sun Dec 01, 2013 6:53 pm

on a pair of '63 doors and a '67 door, I have noticed a date code stamped into the door in between the spot welds at the lower door hinge, but I could not find a similar date code stamp on the doors of my '58, '60, or '61. Were these date code stamps placed in some other spot on earlier doors, or were they there at all? These date codes were inside a circle much like the date code stamp on wheels. I haven't noticed if cargo doors or engine lids have a similar date stamping.

Mon Dec 02, 2013 2:08 am

Nice info

Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:43 am

EverettB wrote:

Fwiw that ^^^^^ picture is '67 only but those can be fitted to earlier doors by filing the door's opening down to accommodate it.

This is the rotary latch from introduction up to the '67 improvement.

Tue Dec 03, 2013 8:54 am

FWIW, the small flipper inner door handle was introduced at VIN 216 046 096 on Oct 19, 1965.
Early 66s have the larger inner door handle

When the flipper was introduced, the doors got the door pull at the top.
The door pull takes up two of the spot that were used by the door clips, so an early 66 takes 21 door clips, and late 66 takes 19.

The door pull is attached with two screws that go into little metal bracket (speed clip?) that clips onto the door, as on this door
(this is a later 66 door on a Sept 65 buildt bus)

this door has the pressings for the clips, but is early 66 and never had the clips installed

IIRC, the earliest push button doors do not have the square pressings, though I am not sure when the pressings were introduced. They were introduced before the door handle change.

If you are installing door pulls, put the metal speed clips in before you install the door panels.

EverettB wrote:

Inner Door Handles:
Early Buses, up to 16 Mar. 1960 VIN # 584674 used a chrome handle with a rib down the center:

60-65 Buses use a larger plastic door handle.
Deluxes were chrome.
Push-button front doors use an inner handle with a screw in the center.

66-67 Buses use a small "flipper" front inner handle:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=860772
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=860771

Tue Dec 03, 2013 9:44 am

Thanks Barry and Clara - I updated the first post in this thread with your information and photos.

Tue Dec 03, 2013 10:44 am

Yes a very good thread, never knew there where two ice pick handles(recessed and non). I have been looking for a recessed door for my 63, found a few but way too expensive. (800 for two bare doors, they were very nice) But I guess since they were produced for a shorter time they would be harder to find good ones.