Are universal parts really universal?

[ClodSlayer]

The main reason I am asking this question is that the door latch recently went out on my Ranger, and I found a replacement one on Ebay for $75. ( http://goo.gl/yCygbW ) I also found this: ( http://goo.gl/SCbFwW ) for $31. I know it says that it's universal, but it just looks so different from the original one... So, what would you guys say about the two parts I have found, and more generally, what have you guys experienced with these "universal" kind of parts?
-Nick

 

[adsm08]

Universal parts are garbage.

 

[JoshT]

In this case the 31 dollar part will not be a bolt on fit. It's intended for people doing custom door mods that will not be using the original striker latch location, things like suicide doors. You will be much better served by the $75 part on ebay.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Gotta agree with ADMS and Josh on this one. That $75 part will be worth the price in not having to deal with getting the "universal" one to work with your truck, and then have it last not even half as long as the original.

AJ

 

[saskbill]

Or if you're looking to save a buck, maybe hit a pick-a-part wrecker

 

[ClodSlayer]

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll probably end up ordering the one offline. All the junkyards around here are getting rid of their rangers from the '80's.

I, things like suicide doors.

Now those would look funky on a ranger... or maybe gull doors?
-Nick

 

[JoshT]

Now those would look funky on a ranger... or maybe gull doors?
-Nick

Never seen gullwing doors on a ranger, but have seen them with just about everything else including no doors. No doors both ways, chopped top with doors welded shut and molded in, and doors removed by 4x4 crowd. Lambo looks like shit because the door is to short and it's almost cliche. With everything else it really depends on the work put into it. Usually a long as the door jambs are given proper treatment they come out looking good.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That $75 part will be worth the price in not having to deal with getting the "universal" one to work with your truck, and then have it last not even half as long as the original.

That is a good rule of thumb for just about any "universal" part...

 

[97RangerXLT]

That is a good rule of thumb for just about any "universal" part...

And we all say "Amen"

AJ

 

[Scrambler82]

What about LMC, they have a lot of remakes on stuff, decent quality and price.
A new door handle for my 03 Ranger, blk, is $20 + ship.

Check them at least and see what they have.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fr/search.aspx?searchTerms=exterior door handles

 

[97RangerXLT]

Doesn't look like LMC carries the one for his year of truck. The lock mechanism listed there fits 99-11. Their prices are 5 dollars cheaper tho...

AJ

 

[Scrambler82]

Doesn't look like LMC carries the one for his year of truck. The lock mechanism listed there fits 99-11. Their prices are 5 dollars cheaper tho...

AJ

I was looking at the truck being an “87” and the main search page give different page numbers for different years you need to look at the years at the top of each little page within the search page.

This one covers from 83 - 92 and there are other years too so I am not sure what year we are looking for.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fr/full.aspx?Page=14

 

[ClodSlayer]

This seems wrong, but the latch from the 83-92 page is listed at $269.95?