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epowell
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Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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 Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 5:55 am Post subject: Door handle size mystery |
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So weird, I ordered 2 door handles, and they both arrived in boxes with the exact same part numbers on them - each handle was identical except that one of them was 6 or 7mm shorter than the other. The shorter one would not fit on the van.
I took the short one back to my parts guy, and he looked it up and told me that the product description states that this handle is good for all years of T3s frm '79 - to '92 (or whatever). My first thought had been that, like the slider door handle, there is a later version which is 6mm shorter??? But it seems not? ...or is there?
The handle only cost $7 (!) and for this money my parts guy doesn't want to bother with a 'return'... so we will just order another one and hope > but I am curious what the explanation for this might be.
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Jeffrey Lee
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Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1488
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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Does the part number on the box match the part number on the actual handle? As I recall, it's cast into the hidden back side of the handle.
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crazyvwvanman
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Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9920
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 7:45 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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There are 2 sizes of SLIDER DOOR handle, depending on model year.
80-84 longer
85-92 shorter
The tip on the later shorter handle can contact the door when fitted to the earlier vans.
I think the length difference is greater than 6 or 7 mm but haven't measured.
Mark
Last edited by crazyvwvanman on Thu May 16, 2019 9:21 am; edited 1 time in total |
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epowell
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Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:09 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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| crazyvwvanman wrote: |
There are 2 sizes of handle, depending on model year.
80-84 longer
85-92 shorter
The tip on the later shorter handle can contact the door when fitted to the earlier vans.
I think the length difference is greater than 6 or 7 mm but haven't measured.
Mark |
I was sure that must be the answer... it seems obvious that in 85 they shortened all the door handles. It is weird that they list it as one size which fits all years > then they make 2 sizes but give them both the same part number.
Does anyone know if the part number actually changed when they shortened the handles in '85?
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MarkWard
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Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17110
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:15 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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Are you asking about the front door outer handles? I though only the sliding door handle was shortened up. I’ve swapped front door handles and must have been lucky to have matching versions. I learn something new about every day here.
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crazyvwvanman
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Joined: January 28, 2008
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Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:20 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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Sorry, I was talking about slider handles, not front door handles.
Mark |
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epowell
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:26 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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huh!? So how can it be that I was given 2 handles - same number on the boxes - identical in all ways but one is 6 or 7mm shorter than it should be?
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ZsZ
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Joined: December 11, 2010
Posts: 1645
Location: Budapest Hungary, Europe
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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front door handles were the same all year.
probably the manufacturer (in china) put golf/rabbit handle in T3/Vanagon packaging.
Take your current with you and choose the one that matches yours. I assume the loger ones are the good
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epowell
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Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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| ZsZ wrote: |
front door handles were the same all year.
probably the manufacturer (in china) put golf/rabbit handle in T3/Vanagon packaging. |
Yes my guess was that they put a Golf or Jetta handle into the wrong box... my parts guy is too busy to do the paperwork required for a "return", so when the new one comes tomorrow, if it is the correct size, I will just buy it and swallow the $8 for the short one... but if it is another short one I will refuse it. Fair enough 
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jimf909 
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Posts: 7462
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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| ZsZ wrote: |
front door handles were the same all year.
probably the manufacturer (in china) put golf/rabbit handle in T3/Vanagon packaging.
Take your current with you and choose the one that matches yours. I assume the loger ones are the good |
That's what I was thinking. Or a subsequent purchaser did a swap and return to stock which is also likely.
$7??? Does that include a lock core and key???
$7 but out of stock...
https://www.hansautoparts.com/251837205DoorHandle.aspx
$39 and in stock...
https://www.gowesty.com/product/handles-trim/2228/front-door-handle-with-keys-
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epowell
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Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 9:51 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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yep $7.... all inclusive. High quality I'd say. They seem to have plenty in stock >
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vanis13
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Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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| epowell wrote: |
| yep $7.... all inclusive. High quality I'd say. They seem to have plenty in stock > |
Prosim, kde?
My old CZ trying to come out - "Please, where?" .....are you finding this handle source? I need a long slider handle.
Ondrej in New Mexico
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epowell
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Joined: September 23, 2015
Posts: 4733
Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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| Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Door handle size mystery |
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| vanis13 wrote: |
| epowell wrote: |
| yep $7.... all inclusive. High quality I'd say. They seem to have plenty in stock > |
Prosim, kde?
My old CZ trying to come out - "Please, where?" .....are you finding this handle source? I need a long slider handle.
Ondrej in New Mexico |
Nazdar Ondrej... I have no idea, my parts guy orders them. If you want I can order you one or 50, but then there is shipping....
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