Just purchased a '97 F150 S/C 4.2L Auto and I have a question about the entry doors. I have to make sure I hold and pull the plastic lift handle on both main doors when gettin in. No springing mechanism assists in swinging the doors after the initial popping open. It's one of those little things you never think about being engineered into a vehicle and those doors are heavy! Was something forgotten during construction???

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B.Kester

 

try free weights... :-)

 

Not sure if you mean the front drivers and passenger's doors. On my 1998 there may be no spring involved but I kind of like the fact that there is a detent of some kind mid way through the door swing so that I can enter or exit the truck without danger of the door swinging outwards and hitting the vehicle beside me.

 

My question was badly worded...The pull on the door handle to the point of the detent is excessive. It is so unexpected that everyone's first time getting in this truck, guaranteed, slips the handle out of their hand expecting the swing to be assisted more. Both doors are the same and there is no debris in the swing bracket assembly. Put another way: When I open the driver's door on our Explorer it swings open with almost no effort of a pull on the handle once lifted. The truck requires a strong pull.

 

Tried mine again. I can open my door with my little finger if that gives you an idea how easy it is. My truck is a 1998 not 1997, is not a supercab, and might have been built at a different plant but can't see the doors being that hard to open. Any chance of trying a similar vehicle at a dealership to compare?

 

I think it is more the design of the handle. My '97 is the same way, everybody slips off the handle. When you unlatch it, it is parallel with the ground, making it difficult to pull without slipping off. You'll get used to it.

 

Thanks Boj.....That's what I was wondering (if others are like that). I haven't tried another '97 to see.

 

No problem with my '97, hand never slipped off. Does the height of the person have anything to do with the ergonomics of it? Tall person no trouble? I'm not 4 foot tall!

 

I have no problem in it. I use the free weights though. Mine doesn't bounce out like my Jimmy did. It has slipped on girls before though.

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'97 F-150 XLT Clearcoat Red
4x2
4x4 wheels
Stepside, K&N, bedliner
32inch tires,flowmaster
tint, matching ford sticker
5spd fully loaded, hidden hitch
Comming soon:
spark plugs/wires,leveling kit,toolbox,
bed rails,push bar, CB with whiplash,
clear corner lenses,brush guard, blackouts,
edlebrock shocks, hypertech, K&N induction system,KC highlighters,
bed xtender, BOSE audio or infinity gold, disc changer,
side steps, dixie horn, white faaced gauges, and those small fender flares some 4x4's have,
matching boddy color of course, and some of those door guards,ventshade visors, power pulleys, that is all
i can think of right now