I currently have an 87 coupe in the middle of a 351 swap, so while its down and waiting on a few parts to come in I decided it's finally time to replace the door handles ( 1979-93 Mustang outer door handle kit - part# LRS-22404K) and the 1981-93 Mustang inner door belt weatherstrip pair (part# LRS-21456PR). These are two parts that are easily overlooked and often put off, but make a difference when they are replaced.
I opted for the black door handle kit for $19.99, but you may prefer the kit in chrome for $24.99 (1979-93 Mustang Chrome Outer Door Handle Kit w/ Rivets) installation is the same either way.
This is the stock handle unfortunately painted to match the body color. I recommend taping around the door handle before drilling out the old rivets or installing the new ones to protect the paint if the rivet gun or the drill decides to move.
On the stock door panels, you will have two bolts under the armrest pad that are covered by two round plugs and a philips head screw farther up the pull handle that holds the armrest assembly on. Once these are removed, the assembly has two T-shaped tabs holding it in-just pull up and forward and they slide right out. There is a screw on the door handle bezel, one in the speaker grille, and one in the mirror hole cover that have to be removed as well. If your car has manual windows, the plastic cover on the window crank slides to the side and a torx bit holds the handle on.
Once these are removed the door panel is held on by the clips in the back of it. It is easy to slide your hand behind the edges of the panel and gently pull the panel away from the door one clip at a time, but if your door panel is not in very good condition you may want to invest in one of our Mustang door panel removal/installation kits.
The top of the panel lips over the door frame at the base of window, so you have to lift the panel off the door once the clips are out.
Then drill out the rivets and disconnect the rod from the door handle on the inside.
Once the door panels are off, it's a good time to replace the inner door belt weatherstrip, as it only takes a few minutes. We just pulled the factory staples out and used the LRS-21456HDW inner door belt screws to attach the new ones. It's as simple as pulling staples and screwing the new ones in.
Line the new handles up and make sure the rod inside the door is going through the rod retainer on the door handle and rivet the new handles on. The door handle rivets are quite large so if you don't already have one you will need to purchase or borrow a large rivet gun. We sell one that is designed to work with this kit (rivet gun for 1979-93 Mustang outer door handles) or you might be able to find one at your local hardware store.
It only took a little over an hour to do both sides and was well worth it. For cars equipped with power windows and locks, there will be a few more things to unhook when pulling the door panels off but should be pretty close