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88 Series

Authorized Von Duprin 88 Distributor | The Original Crossbar Legend

Expert Field Guide: Why the 88 Series Remains an Installer Favorite

There is a specific satisfaction in installing a Von Duprin 88 Series. While modern push pads have their place, the 88 Series is the "Old Guard" of life safety. This is a wide stile crossbar device designed for doors with ample mounting room (minimum 4-1/2" stile). It is the hardware you see in mid-century schools, ornate cathedrals, and historic courthouses. For a locksmith, the 88 is the ultimate problem-solver for historic retrofits. It covers the footprints of older, obsolete hardware perfectly while providing modern ANSI Grade 1 security. It's rugged, mechanically transparent, and built with heavy-duty brass, bronze, or stainless steel components that feel like they'll last another hundred years.

What sets the 88 apart from its narrow-stile cousin (the 55 series) is its sheer physical presence and versatility. Because it is a wide-stile device, it can be paired with a massive variety of trims and locking functions. It is field-reversible, meaning you can change the handing on the fly—a feature that saves many Friday afternoons when the door handing was spec'd wrong. Where modern bars use complex sliding tracks, the 88 uses a simple, powerful lever-arm action. At Lock Depot, we carry the Von Duprin 88 Rim and the 8827 Surface Vertical Rod for those high-ceiling double door applications. Lock Depot sells brand new Von Duprin products with the full manufacturer warranty.

For the veteran on the truck, remember this: the 88 Series is king when it comes to customization. Because the crossbar is a simple tube, it can be field-cut to fit any non-standard door width. If you're working on a massive 5-foot wide "hero" door in a museum, the 88 is likely the only device that will look and function correctly. We stock these in the iconic US26D (Satin Chrome) and US3 (Polished Brass) to ensure your historic project keeps its soul while meeting modern building codes. Lock Depot sells brand new Von Duprin products with the full manufacturer warranty.

Von Duprin 88 Series Comparison

Pro-Tip: The "Wedge Screw" Lock-Down

If you've installed an 88 Series before, you know that the crossbar is held into the lever arms by wedge screws. Over time, the constant "clack-clack" of the bar can cause these to vibrate loose, leading to a rattling bar or, worse, a bar that falls out. When you finish your install, use a tiny drop of blue thread-locker on those wedge screws. Also, don't overlook the dogging. The 88 uses a unique "dogging pin" located on the underside of the active lever arm. If the bar won't stay dogged, check the spring inside that pin; they are easily replaced and will save you from replacing the whole arm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Von Duprin 88 still fire-rated?

Yes, but you must order the 88-F version. Fire-rated 88s are made with reinforced components to withstand high heat. Note that fire-rated devices cannot have a "dogging" feature (the ability to lock the bar down), as fire doors must remain latched at all times.

What trim is compatible with the 88 Series?

The 88 is incredibly flexible. It is most commonly used with the 880DT (Dummy Trim) pulls or the 880NL (Night Latch). It can also be used with the 373L lever trim for applications requiring ADA compliance, though this requires a specific tailpiece adapter.

Can I use the 88 on a narrow stile door?

No. The 88 Series requires a minimum of 4-1/2 inches of stile width to mount the chassis properly. For narrow stiles (1-3/4"), you should move to the 55 Series crossbar or the 33A/35A push pads.

What is the standard length of the crossbar?

Standard 88 Series bars are shipped to fit 3-foot or 4-foot doors. However, since the bar is a simple tube, it is easily field-cut with a hacksaw or tubing cutter to fit any custom width opening.

How do I change the handing on an 88 Rim device?

The 88 Rim is non-handed. To reverse it, you simply rotate the lever arms and the latch bolt. It's one of the easiest devices to flip in the field, which is why it's a favorite for installers who deal with older buildings where door specs are often a mystery.