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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Projects Posts (NOT VEHICLES) => Topic started by: nucknoel89 on August 19, 2012, 05:36:35 pm

Title: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: nucknoel89 on August 19, 2012, 05:36:35 pm
Well this idea started as just shaving my handles because I hate how the stock ones look, but I've heard that cops in my area can sometimes be picky about shaved handles, so I came up with something else.  I was inspired by a thread on FullSizeChevy.com where a guy did this on his OBS (88-98).  This will be a bit trickier as the handles/latches on our trucks pull up whereas everything 88 and up pushes down on the rods/latches.  I'll figure out a system to make it work but this will take a few weeks for me as I just moved and have to figure out how to get power to my welder, as well as get a handle for the passenger side and new locks for both sides. 
Even though my welder isn't set up yet, it doesn't mean I can't start cutting!  The doors I got from a wrecker ($50 each):
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/nucknoel89/IMG-20120819-00092.jpg)

After the initial cut:
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/nucknoel89/IMG-20120819-00093.jpg)

If you're wondering what those triangular pieces are, they're the mirror mounts.  I have some mirrors off of a 2011 Silverado that I wanna adapt the mounts for, but that's a project for another time.
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: nucknoel89 on August 19, 2012, 06:09:00 pm
The handles I'm considering buying:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDAwWDgwMA==/$(KGrHqZ,!pYE7Bcvi+0KBPleFj2Iz!~~60_12.JPG)
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: bake315 on August 19, 2012, 08:53:39 pm
Just one fella's opinion... the ones you're thinking of buying just seem too.... blingy.  I think you're on the right track with the 99-06 style, though, I'd get the painted GMC ones, and paint them to match your truck.  That way, they would blend in more.  Not shaved, but in that direction.
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: nucknoel89 on August 19, 2012, 11:16:25 pm
Just one fella's opinion... the ones you're thinking of buying just seem too.... blingy.  I think you're on the right track with the 99-06 style, though, I'd get the painted GMC ones, and paint them to match your truck.  That way, they would blend in more.  Not shaved, but in that direction.
Yeah, I'm not sure if I'd get the LED ones yet, just an idea I'm playin around with.  I do appreciate comments and opinions!
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: bake74 on August 20, 2012, 06:07:10 am
      I would be interested in seeing the finished product just to see how it looks on one of our trucks.
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: howlinwolf on August 20, 2012, 10:37:59 am
if the handles operate opposite what ours do, flip it. you will get a similar look with a simpler design
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: nucknoel89 on August 20, 2012, 08:46:55 pm
if the handles operate opposite what ours do, flip it. you will get a similar look with a simpler design
I thought about that, but then the lock is above the handle which may cause issues internally, as well as it will look a bit odd.  I'm not ruling it out, though.
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: 454Man on August 20, 2012, 08:54:30 pm
I think they will look nice
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: sonicbluezx3 on August 21, 2012, 04:13:44 pm
Interesting... would like to see the final pics.
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: nucknoel89 on August 23, 2012, 09:47:27 pm
Well guys, I fired up the welder today and started on the passenger door, which is also where I stopped.  I believe I am the first person to attempt this on a C10 and I believe that I'll also be the last.  In my opinon it looked decent, but looks aren't worth not being able to roll my windows down.  The new style handles stick too far into the door and interfere with the window guide channel.  Since I've already hacked this door up though, I'll probably just shave it like I originally planned.  The hours and money I spent on this shouldn't be totally wasted, so satisfy people's curiosity, here's a picture of what it would look like (without the proper bodywork to make it look nice):
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/nucknoel89/IMG-20120823-00107.jpg)
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: Da67goatman on August 23, 2012, 10:29:39 pm
Would it work if you moved it down under the body line?
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: nucknoel89 on August 23, 2012, 10:42:22 pm
Would it work if you moved it down under the body line?
I think it probably could work, but then it would be super low and in my opinion it would look weird. 
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: 454Man on August 24, 2012, 05:20:48 am
X2 under the body line. I think it looks weird where it is now. atleast entertain the thought.you have nothing to loose
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: HAULIN IT on August 28, 2012, 08:33:11 pm
X2 under the body line. I think it looks weird where it is now. atleast entertain the thought.you have nothing to loose
Agreed, Our trucks being square just don't look right with rounded, swoopy add-ons. Years ago a local fellow put either Corsica or early Lumina handles in his truck just below the bodyline...they looked like GM had put them there. Lorne
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: Captkaos on August 29, 2012, 01:55:46 pm
Since all of the mechanism is at the button portion of the handle it is hard to find a good replacement that doesn't take up to much real estate.  I have seen the 88-99 handles mounted low, but I never liked the fact they they were SO low on the body.  If the truck was lowered you had to reach down to open it...
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: Skyshadow on January 14, 2014, 08:36:01 pm
I always thought a Hyundai Tucson style handle would be cool.
http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2013-hyundai-tucson-fwd-4-door-auto-limited-door-handle_100407226_l.jpg
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: Irish_Alley on January 15, 2014, 05:57:26 am
perty. but are shaved handles illegal some places?
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: Skyshadow on January 17, 2014, 10:09:19 pm
Well i personally dont prefer shaved. As well, no drag strip or track will let a shaved car run.
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: audrima on January 17, 2014, 11:01:12 pm
The only car I though of shaving the door handles on is my 2000 kia sophia but that's only becuase  every time it drop below freezing the door handle brakes >.< getting tired of replacing them at $50 a pop.
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: Irish_Alley on January 18, 2014, 12:01:12 am
its a kia lol. one thing you learn is try not to use the handle but you have to put your figures in the door cracks and open the handle and pull with the door cracks. sometimes it work sometimes it wont but the times it wont are the time you would break the handle for sure. my 79 is shaved. its a pain cause your battery has to be charged and its electrical and can just go bad
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: audrima on January 19, 2014, 07:17:10 am
ya, but for $200 car and 30mpg I get I can't beat it ^_^ exp with over 210K on the od.  that is a problem the door popers, they need to be powered to work lol


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Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: Skyshadow on January 19, 2014, 03:50:47 pm
Yea, like he said. Put one of those plastic rivet popper devices behind the door as you open it.. split the torque put on the handle.
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: Irish_Alley on January 19, 2014, 08:41:00 pm
if i cant open it by the outside lip i wont even use the handle for anything except unlocking the latch
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: Terryr85 on January 25, 2014, 01:37:14 pm
I wanna try this one day with the super duty vertical handles mounted below the body line. Hate fords but I love those handle and how they sit flush I think they would work nice
Title: Re: Door handle conversion to NBS (99-06) style
Post by: Skyshadow on January 25, 2014, 05:18:52 pm
^ OH i have never thought of that, I like that idea!