Well, I started my doorhandle project about an hour & a half ago & so far it's going fairly smooth. Any comments ?

(thanks to all who offered opinions in helping decide on the doorhandle style)

http://www.deadbird.org/a/k04.jpg

(I've edited my posted pics to links for the sake of people with slower DL time)

 

That looks great! How hard was it to do?
Kory

 

Yes, please, in depth details man.

 

It looks right at home, very nice. What kind of car are the doorhandles from?

 

So far it hasn't been too difficult, measuring & hack work is usually pretty trouble free.

In the pic above, the handle is just sitting in the hole (I've only been working on it for a little over an hour ), I'm working on a backing plate right now which is where the slow-down will kick in. Getting the backing metal bent to match the contour of the door closely so it causes the least distortion & can be smoothed out with minimal filler will be somewhat harder.

I attached a pic of the gaping hole I had to chop in the door (not something for the faint of heart). Resting on top is the backing piece I just cut & am shaping.

I did run into a very minor broblem with the upper door bracing interfering with the handle but, a few snips with some hand shears & a little bending back solved that.

The handle was donated from an Intrepid but, Neons use the same handle only not painted. The old GM lock cyl fits in place of the other but I have to figure some sort of 'plate' or something so it can't be poked out.

I'd go into more detail but, I'm going back out in the garage for a while (or a beer run ).

http://www.deadbird.org/a/k06.jpg

 

that is awsome looking. how much have all the materials cost you?

 

Kewl Beans, Keep us updated


Whooooooo

 

Well,, it turned into a beer run after all .. I forgot my gtinder was over at my bud's house.

This is probably it for the night. The backing plate is in & the spots are ground. It's definatly not pretty & I'd like to be able to put some spots on the backside but, I'm not willing to take the glass out for that. I got lucky & the warping is pretty minimal which may come out when I cut the handle hole back out.

So far cost of materials is $6.50 for the Dodge handle I cut out & $6.30 for the cold 6pk of 16oz Buds I just got . I have pleanty of 16 & 18ga metal laying around. Oh yea, it was $1.50 for the new grinding wheel I picked up today too.

An alternative to welding, for those who don't possess the skill or equipment, is self-drilling screws.

http://www.deadbird.org/a/k07.jpg

 

That looks good man, Ive been thinking about doing that same type of thing, but not with a Neon/Intrepid.. just depends if I can locate the donor around here and how energetic I get

-Roshambo

 

I like it a lot. looks so much smother. How much to do mine

 

Well,, I lied,,, I couldn't help getting the handle at least spotted in place to see if it would work and might I say,, it has never felt better to open my door from the outside then now (it's been a long time but I have the camaro to remind me of how crappy GM handles are on these cars). It's a night & day difference a nice door handle makes to opening a car door & I must say,, I am super pleased with the results so far . I think I opened the door about 15 times in delight with the solid, new car feel of the handle. It'll probably be even better once I'm done & the weatherstripping is back on to keep the window from flopping around.

The latch rod had to be modified only slightly (a little more after I fudged up) for it to work properly, I have no idea about the lock yet but have figured out a way to lock the cylinder in place (falling out isn't the problem,, having someone poke it out is..).

Many thanks to the positive comments so far but, all are welcome.

MetalliCamaro... price depends on how well your fridge is stocked with cold beverages lol

Yes,,, lowering will be in the eventual future as well... I just couldn't resist to price on the Rough Country 4x4 lift kit at the time tho . The camaro wheels aren't permanent either (they're just bald & didn't seem to make a good winter tire lol)

If you're wondering why all the funky angle cuts instead of 4 90° corners,, it helps keep warping down on thin gauge metal.

http://www.deadbird.org/a/k09.jpg

 

That looks absolutely incredible. Just goes to show how cheap GM can be at times. Why couldn't you just use the original Chrysler lock cylinders?

 

I could have really but, I like Dodge's keys about as much as I do GM's doorhandles

 

Wow.. thats so.. beautiful... *sniffle* *sniffle*

Looks so good could make a grown man cry...

 

Way too cool man. Keep up the good work and the pics. Would like to see a tech article someday. That would be awsome.

 

Looks really badass man I'd also like to see a tech article for this. Stock handles suck.

 

that looks awesome. i was thinkin of maybe doing something similar with a set of the recessed door handles off of a '90 gmc 1500. but since i've never used a welder before (even though dad's got one), got no time, and hate cutting up my car, it may be a while.....

 

damn that looks good!!!!!!
ME LIKES!!

 

That friggen uber

 

this may sound crazey but how did you get that weatherstripping off the car also i like those rim are you gonna sell them

 

Well,,, the cutout/handle opening is now pretty much a permanent attachment to the door. Thanks for all the compliments guys. I'm suprised someone hasn't said they don't like it yet.

CAMp3O... I'll have to admit it took me a bit of hesitation to take the saw to my door initially (I was amazed I could sweat in a 50º garage )

Silver... which weatherstripping are you talking about ? The weatherstripping on the door will come off after you get the filler piece (black triangle) off thee door. Year depending, I guess, the outer strip is either screwed on with phillips screws or have 7mm hex screws. Hex screws are mush easier to deal with (IMO)

The wheels go to my camaro, I just didn't see a point in buying another new set of tires for it for winter if the 'bird is just going to sit in the garage all winter (and probably the next year.. lol).

http://www.deadbird.org/a/k11.jpg

 

(in homer simpson voice) Mmmm... 'bondo'

(...even tho it's not really Bondo) It looks like alot I knowbut, I usually like to go overkill on body filler & end up sanding most of it off.. habit I guess...

I have run into a small snag with the handles but, nothing to difficult to fix. Apparently, due to the increased depth of the new handle, the arm on the backside that the latch rod attaches too interferes with the window if it's not all the way up. The solution was/is to cut it shorter & make a new piece from metal to relocate where the rod goes. Nothing major & I'm pretty sure it won't affect the handle action any... but that's to bee seen. I have to make the metal piece 1st...

Oh yea,, tech article... I'm not to sure I'm the person you'd want doing that.

http://www.deadbird.org/a/k13.jpg

 

Dude that is the shiznits....

I'd love to do sumptin like that...

 

Tech article:

get old handle and a 30 of Bud. Drink the brew while cutting out old handle, drink some more, put the new one in, drink some more, fill sand and paint, drink to your success. Voila!



Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

Congrats man. You've done a great job. But, honestly, I really don't care for it. IMO, it looks a little too "new" and modern for the car. I dunno, it's just thirdgen camaros have always had the aggressive look to them and I just think it detracts a little. But who knows. Maybe I could learn to like them. But, let me say again, you're sure doing a good job.

 

LMAO@Xeno...
I might have to try that sanding thing...

soul.. I appreciate the compliments (everyones really).
I have to agree with you,, I don't think that handle style would look as good on a Camaro.
(I'm doing this to my Firebird, don't let the wing & wheels fool ya)

 

Ooops! It might look good then if I'd see the whole car, lol. But, in those pics above I still think it looks slightly out of place. Are you going to paint the handles white too? Be sure to post pics after you get that thing painted. Maybe I'll eat my words.

 

Any new updates?

 

Looks friggin awesome man!!!!!!!!


Mike

 

anymore? bttt

 

Yea,, I've got a little more done but as of right now my heap of s**t computer is fighting me for my time (evergoing battle.. I'm losing) & I can't keep my CD-r working (arrow).

***edit*** I've since built a new computer after kicking my old one thru the wall

 

I got the door rough sanded down the other night & it's fairly smooth. I'm working on getting an air compressor yet too, so I can put some real filler primer on there instead of spray bomb crap (I've got a thing against leaving bare metal exposed..). I've used my bud's in the past but it's junk & we've got a box built around it that I don't feel like moving (craftsman's are hideously loud).

If WS_FTP will let me get into my site on of these days, I'll get the above pics on my site & link them so this can load faster.

*edit... almost forgot,,, I plan on painting the handles white to match the rest of the car.

Here's a shot of the semi-finished product...

http://www.deadbird.org/a/k17.jpg

 

Awesome job!
awesome project!
Love it when somebody does something different.
Its those little things that really make a car a
show stopper. Those are the things that you chat about after the car show!

 

must say, big improvement since the first pics and great job

 

I got a neon for my winter-beater car and one of the first things I said to myself was, man this is much more pleasant to get into, no heavy door and a handle that unlatches the door easily and comfortably. You will like it much more. It looks great, very very original.
Also, I like how the intrepid handles can be painted, my neon handles are rough plastic.

 

updates? pics?
anything? i need more...

 

Hey Deadbird..... Somethings been really bugging me.... I have a craving to see a pic of the that side of the whole car.. Just so I can see how it looks with the rest of the car, rather than close ups.... Thanks man.....

 

wow. that looks awsome. i really like it. good job.

 

Wow, I never expected this to resurface

Nosaint- No real progress has be made since the last pics I took unfortunatly but, I did get another handle to start the drivers side and with the brief warmth I've gotten 75% of my dash back together and the IP light color changed to blue. Just waiting for it to stay warm for more than the sunny hours. Also I'm having a fun time trying to find a good air compressor at a reasonable price ever since rural king stopped selling devillbiss (sp?) 120v uprights (if I had deep pockets I wouldn't care). I've also been busy woking on my friends '72 in return for donations to the "Get the friggin 'bird done already I want to ride in it" fund . My bud has a wood burner in his garage so it's alot more fun to work on his truck when it's cold out.

383 - he pass. side is up against the wall right now & I've got a bunch of crap sitting around the car. If I get a chance I'll pull my heap out & take a pic of the side from further away.

Here's the truck if anyone really cares... I'll get one of the 'bird as soon as I can

 

I spotted the beer!

 

LoL Dave... kind of like a 'where's waldo' or 'I spy' game huh ?

And now for the most exciting moment (people with weak
bladders break out your depends..).. I know you're all excited ...
here's some new pictures...

My 2 heaps out in the driveway..



A few sideshots of the handle (it's overcast today..)





Exciting stuff huh ? <--

 

LOOKING GOOD!!!!:hail: :hail: :hail:
:hail: :hail: :hail:

 

that is phat.....congrats:hail:

 

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I need a drooling smiley for this post!