Shaved door handles on a 47-51

[floridasteve]

I am in the middle of shaving the door handles on my truck. I wanted to know if there are any things to be careful of before I get in to the middle of it. I plan on also using power windows in the truck. Do I need to mount the solenoids in an area down low so as not to interfer with the window motor? I am using the stock latches. Thanks, I am relying on someone else's knowledge gained from prior install mistakes.

[robin58]

Hindsight is indeed always 20/20 but you've apparently I am guessing already bought solenoids? Personally, I would have changed the latches to bearclaws and not necessarily an aftermarket type. I've had a number of brandname solenoids quit functioning on me after a while. Since then I've switched to using AVS actuators which are made to fit several popular type latches (most of which can be found at junkyards).

[solidaxel]

Welcome from So Arizona, Floridasteve

[floridasteve]

I have not ordered the kit yet but I see the autoloc with the alamrn for a hundred bucks. Thought that is the one I was going to use. What is the AVS? Really, I did not want to cut out the area to reweld in the latch for the newer bearclaws. I feel like this project is like eating an elephant already. One bite at a time though and I am feeling like there is light at the end of the tunnel now.

[floridasteve]

I hope the picture attached to show you guys where I am at on this project.

[mr48chev]

I'm with Robin 58 on this one. I would definitely change to Bear claw style latches, just for safety if not for ease of installation of the solenoid kit.

The main reason is that once those old latches wear a bit they have a bad habit of coming open especially on corners when you have a bit of body weight(yours) against the door. My wife fell out of the truck due to worn latches 29 years ago and I have had the drivers door swing open on me on a couple of occasions when making a right hand turn before I changed the doors around.

[floridasteve]

I guess you guys are right. I might not mind the wife going out the door but me or the kids are another story. I bought the autoloc large bear claw hinges. Whats a little more cutting, welding and grinding! I come this far already. Thank you guys for the help.

Just one more thing. What is the best way to open the door from the inside? Do you leave the handle and reconnect the linkage?

[cajundragger]

send the autoloc ones back

go get some electric life(who makes autoloc) bear claws with built in solenoids. That what I have in my truck.

[floridasteve]

I am on somewhat of a budget (went over a long time ago) build so I know its easy to say spend the most but Ihave not heard of anyone having problems with the autoloc. I know there are some real cheap ones out there. I looked real quick and saw the price of the one piece electric life is almost 300.00 the autolock is half the price. I know there are some things not to skimp on but the extra could go somewhere else like the powere window kit.

Thanks for the suggestion though. I post here to get the feedback to assist me in my bui;ld.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by cajundragger

send the autoloc ones back

go get some electric life(who makes autoloc) bear claws with built in solenoids. That what I have in my truck.

thanks for the tip I had never seen those. do you have any pics of the install?

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by floridasteve

I am on somewhat of a budget (went over a long time ago) build so I know its easy to say spend the most but Ihave not heard of anyone having problems with the autoloc. I know there are some real cheap ones out there. I looked real quick and saw the price of the one piece electric life is almost 300.00 the autolock is half the price. I know there are some things not to skimp on but the extra could go somewhere else like the powere window kit.

Thanks for the suggestion though. I post here to get the feedback to assist me in my bui;ld.

the electric life kit is 119.00 for both doors at summit
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

[floridasteve]

I will take pictures as I do it but I have to have the door seals on to get the tight fit so it might be a little bit until the pictures are posted.

[cajundragger]

Originally Posted by 50adrod

thanks for the tip I had never seen those. do you have any pics of the install?

yeah I can find some. But where you located? Im in Louisiana as well...

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by cajundragger

yeah I can find some. But where you located? Im in Louisiana as well...

Jennings, about 40 miles west of Lafayete

[cajundragger]

Im out by new orleans most the time but I attend LSU. So your semi close.


pics-



no pics of it finished yet. and i flipped the striker and latch so no wires run in the door.

[robin58]

Originally Posted by floridasteve

What is the AVS?

avsontheweb is their main site I think. If you then look at "Shaved Door Kits" and then bolt-in, you'll see what they make them for. The advantage I found with actuators over solenoids (other than reliability) was the simple ease of installation. No need to worry about tension on the cable to the plunger, all mounted as one item (bearclaw and actuator screw together), weight, less drain on power when using.

They're not cheap though and it would involve some metalwork if you go the route like I did. But then on the other hand I suicided my doors anyways so I was facing that whichever option I went with.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by cajundragger

Im out by new orleans most the time but I attend LSU. So your semi close.


pics-



no pics of it finished yet. and i flipped the striker and latch so no wires run in the door.

did the mounting brackets come with the latches?

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by cajundragger

Im out by new orleans most the time but I attend LSU. So your semi close.


pics-



no pics of it finished yet. and i flipped the striker and latch so no wires run in the door.

Cajun--

What do you plan on doing for interior door handles? I thought about switching the striker to the door as well, but I want manual interior door handles.

Just curious.

Congrats on getting your truck in paint.

Marc

[cajundragger]

the mounting kit is seperate from the latches


and I will have push buttons under the dash. Not real sure how to make manual door handles unless you put a switch in the door on the factor handle and run a wire around.

[drummin89]

I did the same thing, the latch in the door jamb and the striker on the door as well as push buttons under the dash.

Im also going to add an emergency latch to the side, under the seat that will mechanically pop both doors, just in case of emergency.

[cajundragger]

its basically impossible for both doors to go out at the same time. So Im not too worried about it. I'll run seperate power wires and grounds and relays for each side so they are not connected at all. It really is basically impossible to loose both doors this way.