'87 Comanche Restoration

[Manche757]

Bought an '87 Comanche and restoration is in process. Flew cross country to no salt west and drove 1,300 miles home. Later learned it had not been inspected in 10 years.

1. Anyone know where to find METAL door handles?  I only find plastic online.

2..Any words of advice about complete replacement of the ac system? Especially manufactured parts to get or avoid? Will a later model year system work better and will the evaporator fit in the same place under the dash? Want it 100% new, condenser, compressor to fan.

3. Had driver side floor plan cut out and new metal welded in. New windshield. Still have leaks on each side from under dash.  Anyone got a best guess about what leaks under the dashboard?

4. Any suggestions for signal light switch replacement manufacturer?

5. Any suggestions for door glass trim pieces and drip tray chrome pieces?

6. Tail gate sounds like something from the 1940s or 1950s. Body shop man said not to replace it because it has more metal than something newer. Is the metal noise just state of the art vintage 1987?

Thanks guys for the help.

 

 

[Wiggilez]

I'm not 100% but I don't think they make metal door handles.

[shelbyluvv]

They make metal handles but they are chrome.

[Wiggilez]

ah, did not know that.

[shelbyluvv]

Chrome drip rails are hard to find. The trim around the door windows is actually stainless steel. You can remove the window trim and use aircraft stripper on it and it will take the plastic coating off. It takes a few sessions to get it all off but it will take it off. Check out Project Black Betty for some pics.