Model Year Door Interchangeability

[bradley]

I know there is variance in the door panels, and wiring, but what is the interchangeability of the door shell itself across the models and years?

I'm *almost* finished with my 88GT and will be sending it off for paint at some point when I am. The driver's side door has a busted window and is cracked/split at the top edge.

I have an 84 Indy that is too much of a project for me, so I will likely part out if I don't sell the whole car, so I have that as a donor if it will work?

[Tha Driver]

"84 doors are different in the way the outer skin attaches.
I have lots of doors here - you can take your pick of a complete door for $100.
You can PM me or email me at ImThaDriver at yahoo.
Thanks,
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Custom Fiberglass Parts

[Fierofool]

The 84 outer shell is the one door panel thats different.  Mostly in the way the dew wipe fits.  85 and up door shells are identical except for your GT you will need a GT panel so you can mount the aero molding.  If you want to swap out the whole door, they are all interchangeable, but you would have that dew wipe difference if using the 84 door.  Wiring inside is the same. 

[TopNotch]

Years ago, I replaced the doors on my 88 coupe with doors from an 85 GT that I bought on Ebay. I did this, because the 85 doors had power windows, and because my original doors had very scratched windows in them. The 88 doors have an ajar switch right at the latch, so that unless the door is fully latched, you get an ajar light. The 85 doors did not have that, so I assume that 85 cars rely on the switch that turns on the dome lights when you open the door, to also turn on the ajar light. I transferred the 88 ajar switches and wiring to my new doors.
I don't know which models don't have the separate ajar switch, just that 88 cars do have it.

[Fierofool]

Sitting in my 87 at the moment I can tell you that it doesn't have the extra switch.

[Fierofool]

Per my comment above, I thought I remembered a button in the B pillar door jamb of the 88 Duke and that's where I was looking on my 87.  Later, I checked Scott's Formula and it didn't have a button on the door jamb.  I don't know where it was that I saw one, but I'm still pretty sure it was on a Fiero. 

[TopNotch]

The ajar switch is in the door, not the jam. It is similar to the switch at the trunk latch that turns on the trunk light (and the ajar light if the trunk is not latched). It's a bit difficult to get to if you have to replace it (or remove it to put in another door).

[GTRS Fiero]

Does your Formula have that switch?

[TopNotch]

Does your Formula have that switch?

Yes. You can test for the switch by opening the door to the first click, so that the door is still partly latched (can't be pushed open), but is not closed all the way. If the ajar light comes on, but the dome light is still off, your car has the switch.

[GTRS Fiero]

So I can't see the switch without disassembling the door?

[TopNotch]

So I can't see the switch without disassembling the door?

You can if you remove the inner door skin. This is the passenger door of my parts car (also a Formula). The white square thing with 2 wires connected at the bottom of it is the switch.

(The things I do to prove a point these days..)

[GTRS Fiero]

I am very appreciative of your efforts.

[GTRS Fiero]

Looking at the exterior latch, I do not see where the catch is on this.  Maybe everything is internal.

[TopNotch]

Yes, all internal. There may even be some obscure federal regulation about it having to be internal, so you can't mess with it. I wouldn't put it past the feds to do something like that.

[GTRS Fiero]

It's in their your best interest.