Hot Rods suicide door safety question

great info

 

I was at the pri show last weekend and spotted these on a blue 68 cuda. The owner said he got them from jerry bickle race cars. It was a very clean looking set up. They were on a car with regular opening doors. Im sure they would work in a suicide application.

 

most people on this thread haven't had a suicide door open at 60 mph on the freeway and rip the hinges to hell and smack the body of a really nice show car... Known 3 guys with that problem... seen the damage first hand.. Not pretty.

 

What are the latches in post #23? Source?

 

What if a unknowing passenger bumps the door handle and the suicide door destroys it self. I have seen the end result more than once even with bear claws.

 

Id think that it wouldn't be that hard to install a cable and pull handle setup and have the sign maker'pinstriper do a sign that says emergency crews pull here to release door pin as HRP suggested. You could run the cable exposed on the inside of the door panel and put something to grip on it where you cold reach it even if you couldn't move much. That way all you would add is the cable, handle and a couple of screw eyes to route the cable and maybe a pulley to make a smoooth turn to where it exited the body behind the door. Something like a parachute D ring with a magnet to hold it flat against the body shell.

 

Awhile back I had to letter and stripe a 34 3-window coupe.I wound up driving it to my shop to do the work.It had a setup in it that was essentially a sliding bolt system that employed a switch at the end that disconnected the starter unless the bolt was in place.Hand made I believe.

 

That sounds like a setup I have in the garage, it wires up to the neutral safety switch just like a shifter.

 

Stimpy is right about NHRA rules - door open from outside. Had to replace doors on custom truck to run. For safety would want 1 latch to open. Dave MC ( post #25 ) appears to have good answer.

 

for racing need a manual system. if there is a fire, or electrical shuts down, anything that relys on any type of standard switch will not work when needed most. having a warning light set up to warn that the safety pin is not activated would be good too. as porknbeaner said, for a daily use of a "trick" spark plug, special glass break tool, etc would do the job.

 

if you are conscious and not impaired. plan for the worst possible situation. that would be something thats manually operated from the inside and outside.

 

for a safety door stop: rjracecars.com : door stop kit # 211502

 

www.rjracecars.com/Door-Stop-Kit-211502-Prodview.html
Safety Door Stop

 

I have a pair of Vintique units for my 34 but hate the idea of them binding in a wreck......I run bear claw latches and the short dog chain attached to the front legs of my roll cage idea appeals to me.
I was following "Donna" to the street rod nats in '88 when the passenger door of her 32, 3 window opened at 70 MPH on the interstate. MAN! That will get your attention in a hurry! Ruined the door, rear fender , quarter and door jamb in a heartbeat. Good thing she didn't have a passenger.
I worked with a guy who was a kid riding in the back seat of his parent's 34 four door when the back door began to open. He grabbed for it, knowing his dad would beat his ass if that door came open....he was pulled out the door and rolled down a soft grassy bank. He was unhurt but he still got his ass beat.

 

Watched my buddies sedan have that issue... his passenger was quick enough to grab the door before it flew all the way back... but it can and does happen...

 

First post here after first search. Got two ideas for the safety latch on the suicide doors on my 69 GMC pickup. Street only, but serious thought about "what if". The dog chain from the door to the dash is #1 for now. If mounted up high on the door and the top of the dash it would have some slack and be very noticeable to anyone outside the vehicle. Would hate to have the door come open on its own. #2 is the seat belt idea, maybe tie it to the driver's seat belt hookup somehow. Thanks to all for participating in this thread!
Dave

 

I haven't got to read this thread. But this is what I have on my 34 delivery, a simple screen door hook. It is strong enough to keep the door from ever opening. And also someone, could open it in an emergency from the outside too. Ron...

 

Nobody will look for that tiny hook down there in a crash. Even you might not be able to release it if there is some tension on it.
If you're in a burning car with jammed doors, you really want to get the hell out of there as fast as you can, I know that from experience...
When I was driving a suicide door car, every time my wife or daughter would seat next to me I would lock their door because they were unfamiliar with it and more than once they grabbed the wrong handle to open the window.
Best idea I' ve seen so far is the seat belt with enough slack to get people to notice it and cut it/unhook it.

 

Chrisp , My idea is just something to keep the door from springing open. If it should twist, or a bump, like going over rail road tracks etc. My biggest concern was that the door or paint may get damaged. As for the safety goes, a 34 dodge delivery is not very safe. I don't expect anyone to unhook the latch in an emergency, or even know that they are even there. I just think that they would break off, if someone pulled the door open from the outside. I'm more concern with the way it looks , than of its safety. I think the seat belt idea is a better idea, but I just cant picture how it would look. And having to have a knife to cut it? I have a 56 Nomad with seatbelts that I take the family and grandkids in because of the safety factor. The delivery, like my A coupe are just Dangerous. But they are just Hot Rods for me. And Thanks for your ideas. Ron...

 

nice interior.