I have no idea how to install the door openers needed. I see jegs has a kit and wonder how best to do this. The door handles are welded shut and I must access all from the inside. Now that the 4 door Impala is running I need to attempt to install the door openers that I'm not so sure about. Thought I'd meet someone by now that knows something about this. I'm in the ABQ area and this is my next step. Thanks for listening!
Just unbolt the door latch mechanism and check out how it works - something moves in a particular direction to release the latch. Once you figger that out, you just gotta rig up the solenoid and a length of cable so that the solenoid pulls the latch open. I used bicycle brake cables and cable sleeves so that it wasn't critical to mount the solenoid directly 'in-line' with the direction of pull on the latch - this lets you mount the solenoid wherever it's convenient in the door, then run the cable/sleeve over to the latch. Piece o' cake once you look at it.
Thanks for the advice, and if anyone knows of a kit or if solenoids from local parts stores are better? I'd appreciate that as well..
I always use the bike cable and try to get an ajuster bolt with them . some of the solinoids you can drill a hole in the end for the cable and drill an intersecting hole for a set screw to hold the cable tight. make sure where you attch the solenoid is not also pulling against the spring for the inside handle do not buy the mrgasget solinoid with the cable atched to it. I have seen 4 of these catch fire at diffrent shows. you should also look into runnning a choke cable from the latch to the inner fender as a manual back up. It really ****s when you stop for gas and shut the door with the keys still in it. Remote batttery goes dead, car battery goes dead.
I'm doing the same thing on my 4door Imp-are you running them on all 4 or just the front 2? Front 2 is my plan...
Take Slag's cable advise.........I used a harley throttle cable I had laying around........ the whole thing is easier than it seems. The mistake I made was with the popper. I mounted it in the body where the door hinges.....oops! never really popped the door. mount it where the door closes. the door handle side of the door....I also never used the keyless (remote) entry thingy.....you can. But I went to a local boat shop and got a waterproof push bottom switch and mounted it under the car......so I'd walk up and tap the switch witjh my toe. and the door would pop open
I saw an interesting kit from LaFrance called "Magic Touch" at SEMA. I don't believe it is out yet. The neat thing was that the sensor mounted anywhere behind the gl*** and your hand moved in front of it would pop the solenoid. It would also integrate with an aftermarket security system to lock the solenoids & secure the car.
My quick tip, if you are using the cable method - is to put the solenoid in the kick panel. Water is the first thing that will kill the solenoid, and it will get wet in the door. Just run the cable through the jam with some grommets to keep it safe. I used to work for Autoloc - and will say are different levels of quality when it comes to solenoids. The Autoloc solenoids are pretty good, but no better than the starter solenoids you can get at the local parts store. I would not put any of the cheapo shaved door kits in my own car though. Especially any of the solenoids with the rubber boot on the actuator. That rubber thing is all that holds the actuator in position... And use the choke cable idea. Attach the cable to the latch, put the knob end somplace you can get to. You will feel pretty lame if you have to breack gl*** to get into your cool car... Oh, by the way, you can get all of that nifty Magic Touch stuff from Radio Shack. Wire a touch sensor to your relay and you have the magic touch.
Doing all four doors! I like four doors and love the idea of making it easy for friends and family to get in and go fast! The car is intended to be a sleeper with more than I bargained for in the power realm.. Very exciting for a novice like me. I really want this door thing reliable and long lasting. I want the cilais of door opening systems! This car truely is the family cruiser made for long trips and evening cruises to da malt shop etc. Thanks for all the good advice!
I dont know what kind of latchs your inpala has, I had bear jaw installed in my street rod and the solenoids I used are the same ones they use for power dr. locks, you can pick them at the junk yard. I am using push ****ons so I am hidding an ing. switch to shut of the power and lock the drs.
if you run a ****on on the rockers be careful, that has been around a long time and people do check. Run a ignition switch as well if you dont want a key fob. Make sure your cable isnt rubbing AT ALL, or over time it will break (trust me). you dont have to worry about the battery problem since you can get to your hood from outside (I am ***uming), but also mount your relays were you can get to them cause they do fail. furthermore use loc***e on the solenoid because if they get loose they often wont pull hard enough, because of the play.
what do you guys think of this kit? http://www.customautosolutions.com/inc/sdetail/87 my girl wants to get me a kit for xmas & i want to make it easy on her so she doesnt have to go all over the place to pickup all the different parts. if anyone knows of a better "kit" - everything to do 2 doors, in a box, please let me know. thanks!
here is a link to an install article, might help you get an idea of what your getting into....... http://customrodderweb.com/tech/0407cr_lock_04/
I did something similiar quite a few years ago to a late model heap-o-**** I was driving at the time, except I used power door lock solenoids and mounted them horizontally to the bar that runs from the inner door handle to the door latch. The alarm I had installed at the time had the power door lock option to lock when arming, and unlock when disarming. When disarming the alarm, my driver door would pop open an inch or two, and I could hold down a second ****on to pop open the p***enger door. We had to remove some of the spring wound up in the inner door handles so that there wasnt so much tension that the solenoid couldnt move the bar, and it worked great for the year or two I still had the car afterwards. However, after looking at the pics in that link, there doesnt seem to be much, if any, holes running along the upper part of the inner door skin, so mounting the solenoid up there might be difficult. Also, the sleeved cable idea.... ****ing genius! I will definetely remember that for future reference.
Thanks Gauc for starting this thread and all who chimed in. There has been a ton of threads on this subject, but for some reason, this one really gave me a clear understanding of how I'd like to go about doing mine. I want the solenoid in the kick panels with a bike cable routed through the door jam. Keeps it dry and doesn't bother it when slamming the door. Great idea I never heard before! I'll snake the choke cable through the jam as well too, maybe all the way to the grille. The Magic Touch stuff stills sounds unclear.
sounds like instead of pushing a ****on to activate a selonoid, there is a sensor that detects motion or pressure. i can see that opening a door when you least expect it or want it to. heading down the freeway with the hottest chick ever in the p***enger seat and a bird ****s on the gl*** where the sensor is mounted and ****...even worse if doors are suicidal. ha ha ha wait i might try this.....
Doesn't seem to help with security issues either. I'm sure there is more to it than that. The new Toyota Hybrid has something similar. It only activates when it senses the owner with the coinsiding remote.
Can any of you guys show how you rigged this up?? Slag?? Also, if anyone else has any pics or old articles on how to do manual door poppers of anykind. I want to keep mine basic and simple when I shave the door handles on my '53 Buick Super. Thanks in advance!! Jason
The Jalopy Journal
