I got a 89 rs and i was thinking about putting shaved handle kit on it, I was just wondering if anyone else has done this and weather it is a good idea or not worth the trouble. If anyone has which door kit would be the best to use?

 

I did it on mine about a year ago and I love it. I dont daily drive the car and I dont drive it in bad weather so I couldnt tell you how it is when your door freezes. I bought the autolock kit and it works great. Ive had a few bugs that needed to be worked out and recently had to pull the doors apart and lube up the solenoids but other than that works like a charm and is sucha clean mod that ppl walk up to the car and dont even realize there gone untill they reach out to open the door.

 

if you daily drive the car it's a mistake. too many trips through the hatch that i'd only do it on certain trailer queen cars. when i was younger i really wanted to do it with my 91, i'm glad i didn't.

 

idk, I think you can do it on weekend drivers or maybe once or twice a week drivers. once I got the bugs worked out I havent had to get in through the hatch. but I will say I had to buy a couple slim jims since on more than one occasion I left the keys in the ignition and shut the door!! that sucked! but like I said once you get it working right and take the solenoids out and lube em up every 6 months or so you should be alright on a weekend car. I love mine and during the spring, summer and early fall I have it out on cruise nights about 4-5 times a week. knock on wood I havent had to make a fool out of myself climbing through the hatch at any of the events

 

couldnt have said it better myself - even though I drive my car a dozen or so times a year, it's still had it's share of mishaps that resulted in me climbing through the hatch

 

I've never posted before, so if this isn't the best place, could someone paste this elsewhere.

I'm current'y building an 88 GTA from a wrecked one and a 92 firebird body. I decided to shave my handles while I was doing other body work anyway. I always work on a budget, so I decided to try and use the stock door lock solenoid since if you dont have any handles, you really don't need locks either. I simply drilled out the upper rivet and rotated the solenoid 15 degrees or so till it was in line with the latch. I didn't even have to modify the linkage, just unhooked it from the lock and right into the latch. Then I attatched a generic autozone remote (35.00) someone gave me in trade for a brake job. I also used a zip it and a grommet to attach a light spring to the door jamb which pushes the door out eliminating the need for another solenoid or popper.

Note: When I tried to do the same on the 92, they had changed the latch requiring actual relocation of the solenoid to line up right. It is still possible, but both rivets mus be drilled out and relocated. I just used the latches from the 88 because it was easier.

It works beautifully, and the best part is that I didn't have to buy a kit.

 

If you're worried about being locked out or other problems, then make some "back-up plans". Like having an extra set of keys or extra remote. A hidden key/remote somewhere underneath the car. Relocate the battery to the trunk just in case your car battery dies. Wire up a an additional door lock switch and/or door window switch making it hidden inside the rear hatch area.

 

i have everything shaved on my daily driver, they freeze and dont work in 20 degreez or less, so i got a truck now for winter lol...

 

My friend has them on his truck, Never had a problem with them that i know of. I know that if he locks his keys in the truck he can pop the hood and undo the ground and just tap it on the batery and the doors will pop open.

 

Also isnt there supposed to be a 9 volt battery backup somewhere along the line?

 

i have shaved handles and it does suck when you forget your keys inside.. climbing through the hatch with a 10pt cage sucks even harder.. i dont have a dashpad and my relays and whatever are mounted behind there.. on really hot days, the relays just dont work until i airout the car.. i have no carpet, no sound deadener, just black paint covering everything, so it gets really HOT.. and no tint either..
the downside is that it is really easy to forget your keys.. it is completely up to you if you want to do it.. i wouldnt just because its a pain if you forget the keys inside..