Electric Door latch ideas

[biohazardbill]

65 Burban.
So I am about to have one of my suicide doors finished and now comes time to start looking into latching ideas. I really like the shaved look. I know I am going to use a bear claw system but unsure of which route to take.



Here are my thoughts, looking for more suggestions.


1. Use remote system. Mount latch to door. Run wires from behind b pillar into door via hardwire or those suburban detachable contacts.
Pros wires hidden, can use stock interior handle to open door
Cons if something electrical fails need to remove b pillar cover which includes spot weld to fix, dont like relying on always having to have remote to open door from outside

2. Use remote system. Mount latch to door. Run wires into door via hardwire or those suburban detachable contacts mounted at the front of the door.
Pros Can use stock interior handle to open door, can use stock interior handle to open door, all electrical now easy accessable
Cons See the contacts when door is open,dont like relying on always having to have remote to open door from outside


3. Mount the latch to the cab, use remote system/push button from inside to open the door. Interior button would be disable based on Neutral Safety Switch logic.

Pros seems super clean, no visible wires.
Cons no easy manual way to open door in case of accident or electrical issue

So what are some other ideas suggestions.

I have seen others with cable operated levers outside, which can look pretty cool, but those trucks I also didnt see any way to lock the truck

[erock805]

I like 3.... but way more work than I would ever do...hahaha

[biohazardbill]

Thought of a manual idea for number 3....

Either put cable levers under the dash on each side and/or but a cable lever on the driver side firewall, since the engine bay is fully accessible from outside, would give an emergency way in.

[biohazardbill]

Originally Posted by erock805

I like 3.... but way more work than I would ever do...hahaha

slacker lol

[ChiefRocka]

I would do it the first way ... but hard wire instead of the contacts.

You shouldn't have a problem if use quality, soldered, shielded, protected wiring.

I would also run a 'pull cable' thru the door, into the b-pillar, down thru the floor mabey ?? In case of battery loss ??

You could run the cable thru the same wiring harness...

Guess the contacts would be ok too ....

[biohazardbill]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

I would do it the first way ... but hard wire instead of the contacts.

You shouldn't have a problem if use quality, soldered, shielded, protected wiring.

I would also run a 'pull cable' thru the door, into the b-pillar, down thru the floor mabey ?? In case of battery loss ??

You could run the cable thru the same wiring harness...

Guess the contacts would be ok too ....

There isnt alot of room between the jamb and the door....

Ideas for a loom of some sort?

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

I would also run a 'pull cable' thru the door, into the b-pillar, down thru the floor mabey ?? In case of battery loss ??

open the hood and charge the battery?


when I had a truck with shaved doors and an inside hood release I mounted an old makita battery charger inside the fender. the charger guts were removed and it was wired in parallel to the door popper. if the battery ever went dead I could just take the battery out of my makita drill and stick it in the charger, like a key with juice. POP. never had to use it, but tested it.

[gimmy 64]

i know in the old days with suicide doors most guy's would put a cable with handle hidden in wheel well or behind bumper etc. to pull incase battery went dead. it won't do you any good if it is inside of car and you can't get the door open.