Smooth door handles

[pockets]

With my welder on its way, I'm making a list of things I would like to do and smoothing the door handles is one of them.

However...

I'm quite open to not doing a complete shave off of the handles with poppers and all that, but perhaps doing a late model vehicle "smooth" handle. Anyone have any pics of trucks with something along those lines?

I got the inspiration from a muscle cars episode on their buick build, where IIRC they used handles from a grand am or something like that. it looked pretty nice.

[justinburnett]

I know you could do it but I can't help you with pictures. I'd suggest buying a junkyard door to practice on, get it how you want it, and then do the real thing where you have a reference point to look at if you forget or run into a snag. You might have to "custom bend" the arms from the handle to the latch, but aside from that I think you'll be just fine.

[texasfunk]

I have seen it done several times using the 88-98 handles. Problem with that and most other handles is the mounting depth. Where the original handle is there is no room to flush mount a different type of handle so it mist me moved below the body line. And I don't think it's a very good look personally.
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[pockets]

Originally Posted by texasfunk

I have seen it done several times using the 88-98 handles. Problem with that and most other handles is the mounting depth. Where the original handle is there is no room to flush mount a different type of handle so it mist me moved below the body line. And I don't think it's a very good look personally.
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yea that could definitely be an issue. too low would look quite odd

[Pop's C-10]

Shave them all tha way or jus shave tha locks..

[West Texas Z]

Originally Posted by pockets

I got the inspiration from a muscle cars episode on their buick build, where IIRC they used handles from a grand am or something like that. it looked pretty nice.

I know exactly what episode your talking about. I'm doing the same mod to my Camaro. I'm not sure how well it would work with our truck doors due to being so heavy. I would think that it would need strong structual handles. But I would like to see it done.

[bigblock73]

With the body line on these trucks where it is, relocated handles have to go below it, and look terrible IMO. Shaved handles/newer model handles in general looks terrible too, but that is just my opinion again.

[jrcaprai]

Shaved Handles are a pain in the A** I have them and would not do it over again.

[pockets]

Originally Posted by jrcaprai

Shaved Handles are a pain in the A** I have them and would not do it over again.

I suppose some day I'll go through the pain hence the idea of using something a bit more clean without all the associated electronics and what not.

[andrewmp6]

If you shave them rig up a cable release under the truck in case your battery is dead.I would leave them or shave them newer handles might look funny on it.

[Gordonr1973]

I started them on my '98.

The patches warped on me a bit b/c my welder was crappy and I am a crappy welder too.

The poppers are okay, but all of the posts ahead of this one are true, they are a pain, your battery might die so you need to put in a cable release in for that. etc etc.

Putting a different handle in is tricky too...remember you need to adjust the rod length as well when switch from a truck handle to a car handle.

Google it, magazines have lots of how to arcticles on this as well.

[N2TRUX]

If you shave completely, there is another option besides a cable release that's a bit more secure. you can run a positive lead to a hidden point on the body. If your battery goes dead, you can use a jmup pack on the hidden lead to get the door popped. Even a Dewalt or Makita battery will do in a pinch.

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by West Texas Z

I know exactly what episode your talking about. I'm doing the same mod to my Camaro. I'm not sure how well it would work with our truck doors due to being so heavy. I would think that it would need strong structual handles. But I would like to see it done.

I would bet the Camaro doors are waaaaay heavier that the truck doors. Them suckers are heavy!

Originally Posted by bigblock73

With the body line on these trucks where it is, relocated handles have to go below it, and look terrible IMO. Shaved handles/newer model handles in general looks terrible too, but that is just my opinion again.

I think I am with Jeff on this.

[pockets]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If you shave completely, there is another option besides a cable release that's a bit more secure. you can run a positive lead to a hidden point on the body. If your battery goes dead, you can use a jmup pack on the hidden lead to get the door popped. Even a Dewalt or Makita battery will do in a pinch.

I was going to do something very similar. My first thought was a set of remote posts, much like race cars use for charging, but tucked up somewhere out of site and away from debris as much as possible.

[pockets]

Originally Posted by Gordonr1973

I started them on my '98.

The patches warped on me a bit b/c my welder was crappy and I am a crappy welder too.

The poppers are okay, but all of the posts ahead of this one are true, they are a pain, your battery might die so you need to put in a cable release in for that. etc etc.

Putting a different handle in is tricky too...remember you need to adjust the rod length as well when switch from a truck handle to a car handle.

Google it, magazines have lots of how to arcticles on this as well.

the process I wasn't so much concerned about. I was really looking to see if anyone had done a swap from another vehicle and see what those looked like.