Has anyone converted the interior door handle? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jimmydean · 01-24-2007, 05:25 PM

My door handles are very worn and I was looking at getting new relay controls. But in the process of developing my custom panels, I thought about stealing some Silverado door handles.

Has anyone converted the interior handle from the knob style to a lever style? It just makes panel design a lot easier. I know VW changed style without issue in the '67 or '68 style Bug, so it can't be that hard to do.

I think I know how to do it, but I figured I would ask before pulling my panels off this weekend and hunting through the junk yard.

PanelDeland · 01-24-2007, 06:01 PM

Pull the door panels off and measure for the amount of travel needed to trip the latch.Also look to see if there's room for the linkage rod or if you can use a cable.You may be a little limited on where you mount it but I would think it should be a fairly easy mod.Well at least easier than "Lambo" doors.

jimmydean · 01-24-2007, 06:15 PM

That's what I was thinking. I think I can even modify the rod that's there, then worst case is change the leverage ratio of the handle, or find a handle with a high ratio.

I would like to use Silverado handles, but just about anything will work. Mounting shouldn't be a huge deal. I just want to do something a little different and this came to mind.

Guess I will have pics soon. I hope to make some progress on the doors this weekend. I need to do a full rebuild anyway.

brak · 01-24-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmydean

I would like to use Silverado handles, but just about anything will work. Mounting shouldn't be a huge deal. I just want to do something a little different and this came to mind.

Grab some inner handles from a mid 80s gm (camaro, firebird, grand am, fiero, etc) the handle assembly mounts directly to the door, and then you just cut a hole in your door panel, and the plastic housing mounts over that.

They'd mount fairly flush, and i bed you could adapt the sliding door lock too.

Just my $.02

jimmydean · 01-24-2007, 11:38 PM

Thanks Brak! I will do some yard searching. I haven't done a full blown custom door panel in over 12 years and it sucks. I figure I have no reason not to do something cool and a little different.

01-24-2007, 05:25 PM	#1
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Has anyone converted the interior door handle? My door handles are very worn and I was looking at getting new relay controls. But in the process of developing my custom panels, I thought about stealing some Silverado door handles. Has anyone converted the interior handle from the knob style to a lever style? It just makes panel design a lot easier. I know VW changed style without issue in the '67 or '68 style Bug, so it can't be that hard to do. I think I know how to do it, but I figured I would ask before pulling my panels off this weekend and hunting through the junk yard.

01-24-2007, 06:01 PM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Has anyone converted the interior door handle? Pull the door panels off and measure for the amount of travel needed to trip the latch.Also look to see if there's room for the linkage rod or if you can use a cable.You may be a little limited on where you mount it but I would think it should be a fairly easy mod.Well at least easier than "Lambo" doors. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

01-24-2007, 06:15 PM	#3
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Has anyone converted the interior door handle? That's what I was thinking. I think I can even modify the rod that's there, then worst case is change the leverage ratio of the handle, or find a handle with a high ratio. I would like to use Silverado handles, but just about anything will work. Mounting shouldn't be a huge deal. I just want to do something a little different and this came to mind. Guess I will have pics soon. I hope to make some progress on the doors this weekend. I need to do a full rebuild anyway.

01-24-2007, 11:38 PM	#5
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Has anyone converted the interior door handle? Thanks Brak! I will do some yard searching. I haven't done a full blown custom door panel in over 12 years and it sucks. I figure I have no reason not to do something cool and a little different.



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