Door Handle Replacement (Rear to Front)???

[marcini]

Im trying to install rear left door handle on the drivers door for security purposes, did anyone do this before, is it easy swap? or is there something that has to be done at the body shop, any suggestions, and help greatly appreciated.

thanks guys

[Kurzer]

If it's only for security reasons, why not just disable the locks? I think the rear handles are smaller than the fronts?

Mine has the little lock/unlock pin disabled but the locks themselves are still hooked up (since I don't have keyless) no-one can unlock the car by pulling on those. I almost got carjacked once... The guy pulled the lock/unlock pin and threw me out of the car. I managed to grab the keys and take them with me, when he turned to grab them from me he was staring down the barrel of an Officers .45 ACP... He decided to walk away at that point. Ever since then, all my cars have had the pins disabled.

[marcini]

I NEED TO DO THAT, SO THEY CANT SHOVE SCREWDRIVED INTO MY LOCK AND OPEN THE CAR, THAT'S THE WHOLE IDEA BEHIND IT, I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE DONE SUCH A SWAP IN THE PAST, SO I NEED SOME HELP

[DDQ]

CAPS LOCK IS ON. [:)]

It's do-able. I've seen others that have done it. The door handles are the same size. I'd say just pull off the interior door panel and you should be able to figure it out from there. No body work needed.

[DRA4]

I did that to my car, the door handles are the same size, simple job.

[Kurzer]

Stupid question... You have keyless entry right?

What about a kitty switch with a backup battery to unlock in case of power failure? Hotrod shops will have these, they do that all the time with cars that have shaved doors.

[ECA4]

Would it be possible to swap the 98.5> door handles with the newer model ones?

[DRA4]

Yes i have keyless entry, if not open the trunk with the key, that should open the doors also.

[flipstahylez]

Not to be an ass****, but what if your battery dies?

[DDQ]

Originally posted by flipstahylez
Not to be an ass****, but what if your battery dies?

That's the rub.

You can get into the trunk, and hire a midget to crawl through the ski sack after you slice it open,

[A4 in SC]

Another reason I love my Avant. You don't have to crawl anywhere... [;)] hehehe

I might just have to do this. Obviously, if I ever get my car painted, I'll certainly do it.

Mike

[marcini]

so you guys say that this should be an easy job right?, im gonna have to do this, i live in NJ it sux here

[Kurzer]

It sounds like the rear is the same size as the front. It's not terribly hard, I'd say go for it!!! It will look very nice without the locks in the front doors.

I would strongly suggest that sometime in the near future after you do this, to get a battery backup with a switch hooked up. My suggestion for this (A friend of mine's dad had this on his 55 Chevy).

Normal battery with keyless entry as main system.
Backup battery with switch as secondary system.

I think it was some sort of voltage regulated relay? Basically, if/when the main battery died, the relay would change over to the battery with power so you can always open the doors. The only time I ever saw this was when he disconnected the main battery, as far as I know he never had a dead battery but the backup system was there just in case.

[marcini]

anyone got insturctions, on how to do this?, or did anyone do this?

[blacka4]

um how hard can it be...just remove the inside door cards pop out the handle with the lock after removing all the steel rods connected to it. them pop in the new handle without the lock. to me it just seems straight forward

[marcini]

what is seems it's not really what it is, i have heard that it is PITA to do, but im just looking for advices

thanks

[blacka4]

um I have done this with a VW and all i did was just replace the handle with another one...I don't know man I am thinking about doing this when I can afford to buy a handle