Premature Parts

I've barely started, but I couldn't resist ordering some parts.  And I experienced my first disappointment. 

When I took the hardtop off, I went ahead and started to disassemble what I could and begin my documentation process to help put it back together.  I grabbed the digital camera and took a gazillion pictures - I won't post them here because they simply aren't very interesting - just pictures of lots of flaked paint and worn parts to be used as reference points come reassembly time.

Anyway - as I was struggling with the hardtop lift handle, I decided to order some replacements in the form of gaskets and a new handle - because as you can see below, the original is seemingly stripped as it simply spun instead of opening the lift

First let me say that the list of aftermarket, OEM, and NOS suppliers for early Broncos is astonishingly long.  I went with Tom's Bronco Parts in OR for my maiden purchase as he has not one, but two lift handles to choose from; the $15 aftermarket and the recommended high quality handle for $10 more - of course I went for the high quality.

Boxes arrived and this is when I had my first disappointment

The handle on top is the "High Quality" replacement, and it is solid and heavy and would certainly do the job for a long time - however, when compared to the original on the bottom, it doesn't even come close to the quality of the American Made original.  The original just feels good - and right - and who am I to replace this thing of beauty, form and function?  And furthermore - the HQ replacement had the same key code as the one pictured in the catalog leading me to believe that anyone with this replacement handle would have a key to my Bronco.  What to do...

I took another hard look at the original - could I weld some material onto the square nub and file it back to shape?  How can I get the lock cylinder out so that it can be rechromed?  Well the first part of the question turned out to be an easy answer - I had also ordered a new spider gear, the mechanism inside the lift that the handle actuates and as it turns out, the new one holds the answer - it will be a very tight fit onto the square nub unlike the stressed wobbly one I pulled off, thus negating the need to worry about the wear pattern on the original - hooray!

Now to find an automotive locksmith to get that lock cylinder removed