1952-59 Ford shaving handles on our cars

Anyone done it? You guys using stock latches or a bear claw style? Not much out on the old internet....

I was going to run stock latches but mine are pretty worn.

 

I'll be watching this. I plan to swap to Lincoln door ****ons like you did and just keep my stock latches.

 

I am abandoning the Lincoln ****ons. I don't like the way they laid down. The contour with the frenched panels are too flat. Mine may be for sale soon.

 

going for t-bird handles...

 

I was just wondering if the bear claw style is worth all of the extra effort?

 

I used repro latches on my Sunliner, they work fine. I like door handles.

 

I'm going with Lincoln pbs!

 

I put bear claw latches and shaved the door handles on my 56.
I was told by the body man that with a Ford, you can't use the outside handle with bear claws. I used a Dakota Digital remote entry kit which worked for a few weeks and then quit, I haven't trouble shooted it yet, I always leave the wings unlocked. With the DD kit there is a bulge on the inside of the door panel but it's not too noticeable, you can see the wavy line at the bottom of the white at the rear where the bulge is. With the door closed, you won't even see it.

 

That looks pretty good. How involved was the install? Looks almost factory.

 

I had it done at a body shop so I'm not sure how hard it was.

 

With the bear jaw latch, do they really close easier - quieter??

 

It’s a double locking latch, so I would think it would be more secure.

 

Yes they do, so much easier and nicer than stock.

 

Nice looking Victoria and upholstery..A question? How come you left the side emblems on and removed the handles. I would have thought handle removal goes along with nosing, decking, and emblem hole filling.

 

Do you remember if you used the full size latches or the slimline versions? There used to just be a couple of options, now there are tons.

 

Root, From experience when everything was going slice in the 80's and 90's I built a Model A pickup and did away with the door handles and a 1939 Ford convertible without door handles, I would NEVER even consider it again.

But if you insist, I used bear claws and with the convertible I used a remote magnetic switch at the bottom of the drivers door (A stupid place to mount it in retrospect) and it rolled down the power window, (Another stupid thing was adding power window).

The Model A I used the small bear claw type latch from a junk yard car and it to had caprice power window motors & modified window mechanisms, I didn't get as exotic with the Model A, I had two small push ****ons under the visor, one on each side.

Word of warning, if you do decide to remove your door handles make sure you have a emergency wire somewhere it's easy to get to if the battery dies, mine did and I had to resort to using a big rock to gain access in one hell of a thunder storm. HRP

 

I am definitely shaving the handles. I will have a back up cable.

Not to be hateful, but why not just jump the battery? I can access the battery via the outside hood latch. I always figured what is the chances of both locks going south at the same time was slim.

 

The battery was under the seat & it was dead, I couldn't get in and with the slick look I had a remote hood release inside the cab. HRP

 

Ahhhhhhhh........I always have remote jumper cable terminals. It's just for my convenience.

 

We all march too - well you know, For me I just like the KISS method of building hot rods. HRP

 

I started down that path, but this one is gonna be a custom and door handles just look out of place.

 

Thanks, I like the trim on the car, the only reason I removed the handles is because they no longer worked.

 

I'm pretty sure I used the medium latch, I bought them from Rocky Hinge Inc. The parts I used are; Medium Bear Claw Latches, Bear Claw Latch Installation Kit and Latch Lever Kit (I think I could have done without the latch lever kit $85). Total cost about $180.
I also added a Dakota Digital 4-Function Remote Entry Kits CMD-4001, about $185 so about $365 with the other parts plus labor.
I could have saved some money by buying everything from Rocky Hinge but at the time I didn't know I was going to go with electric openers. I found out from the body man that I had no option.

 

I’m using stock latches but may upgrade to to bearclaw

 

Chris, speaking of back up cables, wondered if you ever noticed the way they were set up on the Buick I picked up yesterday? Pretty slick setup that works and is out of site... Only thing is they aren't backup and the only way into that car other than leaving a wing window unlocked I suppose. That somewhat goes to Danny's thought of KISS. I may do basically the same on Silas's pu. I hear that solenoids aren't near as reliable as folks would like.

 

If I did, I don't remember...

 

Maybe off topic but I had a buddy that was using his brothers car when he came home for leave. He drove up to joint base Lewis McCord to pick something up he needed and they would not let the car on base with no door handles, said it was a safety issue. Weird!

 

That is weird. I was at Fort Lewis in 1970 for basic training and they took my handles Off!!

 

If you remember 1970 you didn't do it right, just sayin!

 

Still undecided on what the right way to go is.