I just picked up a 85 W350 crew cab and the right rear door is stuck shut, the lock seems to be working but the latch isn't releasing. I have the interior gutted so I am going to try and take off the door panel to gain access.

Anyone have any experience with this issue? Any assistance is appreciated.

 

How long has it been sitting? Might just be a disconnected linkage, or, rusted/crudded up latch. Pull the door panel, see what ya got. Should be able to release is manually from inside the door.

 

Yeah thats what I am thinking as well. I don't think the truck has been sitting all that long, supposedly ran 3 to 4 months ago but you know how that is. It has a new alternator on it but the starter is disconnected for some reason.

The door in question was hit but it doesn't look to be deep enough to affect the linkage, the window still rolls down all the way.

 

I still drive my truck regularly, but, the rear door latches (half doors....) still corrode up, and jam. Generally takes a dousing of chemicals, and a good kick from the inside to get 'em to open...... If they were used more often, it'd be less of an issue, but, the family has gotten smaller over time.... (funny how it works that way) so the back seat isn't even really necessary any more.

 

I know how that is. I have an 01 with the half back doors as well. I keep them pretty lubed up and my dog forces me to use the drivers side rear all the time (that 01 is basically his truck.. ).

I bought this truck originally to do a Cummins swap but now I am rethinking that. I'd love to have a Cummins but the time and expense to do it plus the fact that I have 2 other gas trucks (an 01 1500 and a 14 2500) makes the "need" pretty much not a thing.

I need to see how it runs, I am really leaning towards a G3 Hemi swap over the Cummins because I recently built a 71 Charger and installed a 5.7 hemi crate engine. That thing starts and runs almost like a modern new car. I just need to work out the integration between a G3 hemi and the factory 4 speed. I know it will bolt up but I need to figure out the clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. My other thought is to either rebuild the stock 360 or source perhaps a Magnum 360. If I went this route I would definitely run EFI.

 

If you go the magnum route, use the OBDII system from 96 or 97. It will integrate reasonably well with the factory dash.... except the tach... if you have one.

 

Thanks I will keep that in mind.

 

I managed to get the door open, now I am trying to fix some of the damage around the door handle, looks like someone maybe scraped a tree or something an pushed it in slightly. I got some of it out but now its oil canning (when you push in on the door handle button the panel is moving). So I need to figure this out.

 

Can you find another door??? Car-part.com might be able to help.

 

Perhaps but my door isn't that bad other than the one spot. I will mess with it and see what I can get done. The bed side behind the door was hit as well and I am going to try and use some air bags to put that out some. I believe that I can get a new bed side if I really want it nice but I don't think I am going down that road. I kind of like them ratty looking, I have enough shiny vehicles already. It does have a crappy white paint job over the USAF blue, we will see how that holds up when I pressure wash it.