Body General body information and techniques for restoration, repairs, and modifications.

Anyone else gotten 4th gen door handles working?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 25, 2002 | 03:07 AM
  #1  
jay311md's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
Car: 1987 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 346 LS1 V8
Transmission: T56 6 Speed
Anyone else gotten 4th gen door handles working?

I'm finally underway in my 4th gen interior swap. I got the door panels, dash (ordered), seats, and all wiring. I have read a lot of posts on how hard it was to use the 4th gen interior door handles. I'm just here to tell you that it is not as hard as everyone makes it sound. All you have to do is relocate the lock about 2 inches down and about 3 inches back. You'll need a good drill, small grinder (very helpful), rivot gun...that's pretty much it. I got both my door handles installed, and since I had to relocate them, I could tighten up the latch bar and make them much easier operating. The doors open so much easier now. Also, with the door panels off, you can lube everything up while your at it. Oh, and don't listen to anybody out there that tells you it's hard to do, or anything like that. I recently found out, that a lot of the pictures that are going around of the 4th gen door panels, are not installed pics. They are simply hanging on the door sill and not actually connected to the door. There are some real modders out there that have actually taken the time to install the door panels and not just post pics of what it will eventually look like. If you want more detailed info on how to do the door handles, let me know. I'll try to submit pics soon.
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2002 | 03:37 AM
  #2  
logikal6785's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: san diego, ca
yes man please! can you make us a tech article and take LOTS of pics! =D
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2002 | 03:39 AM
  #3  
logikal6785's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: san diego, ca
o i almost forgot, where did you order the dash and panels from and how much did they cost? i bought a matching pair of black leather transam door panels new from factory for $100
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2002 | 08:45 AM
  #4  
camaroman305's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: charleston, sc, usa
yea where did you order that stuff, I cant find one at a local junkyard that hasnt been really f---ed up
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2002 | 01:07 PM
  #5  
jay311md's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
Car: 1987 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 346 LS1 V8
Transmission: T56 6 Speed
I bought the door panels from a local junkyard for $100 for the pair, including all of the switches and interior door handles. I paid $50 for the 6 speed center console. However, every dash that I saw was either torn apart and missing tons of pieces, or the airbags had just obliterated the dash when they deployed. That is a common problem with finding the 4th gen dash, those darn airbags. I paid $300 for a complete dash out of a 2001 Trans Am, that for some reason, the airbags did not deploy. The car was destroyed on all 4 corners, but the airbags did not go off, really weird. SO the dash is in pristine shape. I'll go ahead and write out a tech article, and gets some pics together. Who do I send the TA to when I get it done?
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2002 | 01:09 PM
  #6  
jay311md's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
Car: 1987 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 346 LS1 V8
Transmission: T56 6 Speed
Logi, where did you order your door panels from? Brand new for $100?
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2002 | 11:07 PM
  #7  
logikal6785's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: san diego, ca
i got them from a private seller, named mark wasem. i think he's a member here just doesn't post much. ya so anyway, he bought new seats for his 2001 trans am and when you buy the seats from the factory they also send you matching door panels.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2002 | 02:58 AM
  #8  
jay311md's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
Car: 1987 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 346 LS1 V8
Transmission: T56 6 Speed
I'm still in the process of writing the tech article. In the meantime, here's a few pics of the interior door handles. I kind of hacked up the drivers side, trying to get it to work. However, the passenger side turned out perfectly. The passenger side almost looks like it came that way from the factory. Let me know what you think.
Attached Thumbnails Anyone else gotten 4th gen door handles working?-mvc-001f.jpg  
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2002 | 03:00 AM
  #9  
jay311md's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
Car: 1987 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 346 LS1 V8
Transmission: T56 6 Speed
Here's a close up of the driver's side.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2002 | 03:01 AM
  #10  
jay311md's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
Car: 1987 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 346 LS1 V8
Transmission: T56 6 Speed
Can somebody tell me how to post two or more pictures in one reply, rather than one pic.
Attached Thumbnails Anyone else gotten 4th gen door handles working?-mvc-002f.jpg  
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2002 | 05:09 AM
  #11  
logikal6785's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: san diego, ca
what do i think ? i think you're my hero. keep them coming, and thx for taking the time to make a tech article ... you're helping a lot of people (me included)

to post multiple pics you have to have webhosting. upload the pics to the website they'll be hosted at and then insert the web address in http://www.etcetcetc format using the [img]brackets . any other q's i'll try to help
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1992rs/ss
NW Indiana and South Chicago Suburb
14
Jan 31, 2025 05:10 PM
Frozer!!!
Camaros for Sale
35
Jan 19, 2024 04:55 PM
AkDrifted
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
6
Aug 17, 2015 07:45 PM
dhonda200
Transmissions and Drivetrain
6
Aug 11, 2015 11:50 PM
THABADGUY
Brakes
2
Aug 11, 2015 03:43 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:53 PM.