Suicide Doors: Options for Installation
When you are ready to install suicide door hinges or use the suicide door hinge kit for a consealed hinge, there are some issues will wil need to decide on:
1. Which style hinge should I use?
Autoloc offers 2 basic designs. The HDHINS is a heavy duty separate hinge design. The upper and lower hinges are not attached to eachother. This allows the installer to use the hinges with any spacing desired. Usually, the wider the spacing, the better the support for the door and less stress on the B post or door jamb. Remember, the hinge pins must be in a straight line.
The HDHINY hinge come with the upper and lower hinges welded together using a piece of square tubing. The center to center dimension is approximately 13 1/2 inches. Since the hinges are held in alignment, there will not be any problems with binding.
HDHINS HDHINY
2. What latches are going to be used?
The installer could reuse the stock latches. Since the holes from the old latches will have to be closed off anyway, the old latches and the surrounding sheetmetal could be cut out and transferred to the other end of the doors. Swapping the left and right latches may make the installation simpler and cleaner.
A better alternative could be to purchase the Bear Claw latches and installation kits. The installation kit has the sheet metal pieces predrilled for the latch and striker. Available space will dictate whether to use the large Bear Claw BCLG and installation kit BCINST-L or the mini Bear Claw BCSM and installation kit BCINST-S. Either of these can be used with a mechanical release button, lever or solenoid for electric operation. Also available are the Power Bear Claw Latches BCLGP. This latch assembly has the solenoid mounted directly onthe latch. Install, hook up your wiring from a push button or reote actuator and you are done. It is recommended that a weather proof electric button or manual cable release be installed for "emergency" operation of the latches.
And don't forget the door poppers. These little spring loaded devices push the door open enough to grasp the edge and open them the rest of the way.
3. How are the doors going to be opened?
As mentioned above, a manual linkage can be used or electric solenoid operation. Autoloc offers a cable kit which allows mounting a solenoid anywhere inside the door or for connection to the door handles or a lever. If you want to shave the doors (remove all chrome for a smooth look) I have seen a small notch cut into the edge of the door skin, with a lever exposed to open the doors. For a trually smooth appearance, the electric operation is the best choice. A weather proof button can be mounted anywhere, like under a fender or behind a bumper.
Remote controlled doors is the coolest way to go, though. By using a remote key fob push button and the remote receiver, the doors can be opened remotely with the push of a button.
As far as the inside handles are concerned, with the use of some cable, the original handles or some custom stuff can easily be used.
One of Autoloc's shaved door kits includes the pieces for remote operation of the doors or more and can include an alarm system as an additional option. Remotes are available with up to 18 separate functions. In addition to controlling each of your doors separately, openers for the trunk and hood can be added. Linear actuators can be added to any of the doors, trunk or hood for remotely showing off the engine or audio system.
Check out Autolocs hinge, latch and remote kits at www.thehoffmangroup.com for additional information. Any of The Hoffman Groups parts are available from the Flying Hammer. If something you need is not in the Shopping Section, sned me an email and I will order it for you. clark@flyinghammerllc.com
1. Which style hinge should I use?
Autoloc offers 2 basic designs. The HDHINS is a heavy duty separate hinge design. The upper and lower hinges are not attached to eachother. This allows the installer to use the hinges with any spacing desired. Usually, the wider the spacing, the better the support for the door and less stress on the B post or door jamb. Remember, the hinge pins must be in a straight line.
The HDHINY hinge come with the upper and lower hinges welded together using a piece of square tubing. The center to center dimension is approximately 13 1/2 inches. Since the hinges are held in alignment, there will not be any problems with binding.
HDHINS HDHINY
2. What latches are going to be used?
The installer could reuse the stock latches. Since the holes from the old latches will have to be closed off anyway, the old latches and the surrounding sheetmetal could be cut out and transferred to the other end of the doors. Swapping the left and right latches may make the installation simpler and cleaner.
A better alternative could be to purchase the Bear Claw latches and installation kits. The installation kit has the sheet metal pieces predrilled for the latch and striker. Available space will dictate whether to use the large Bear Claw BCLG and installation kit BCINST-L or the mini Bear Claw BCSM and installation kit BCINST-S. Either of these can be used with a mechanical release button, lever or solenoid for electric operation. Also available are the Power Bear Claw Latches BCLGP. This latch assembly has the solenoid mounted directly onthe latch. Install, hook up your wiring from a push button or reote actuator and you are done. It is recommended that a weather proof electric button or manual cable release be installed for "emergency" operation of the latches.
And don't forget the door poppers. These little spring loaded devices push the door open enough to grasp the edge and open them the rest of the way.
3. How are the doors going to be opened?
As mentioned above, a manual linkage can be used or electric solenoid operation. Autoloc offers a cable kit which allows mounting a solenoid anywhere inside the door or for connection to the door handles or a lever. If you want to shave the doors (remove all chrome for a smooth look) I have seen a small notch cut into the edge of the door skin, with a lever exposed to open the doors. For a trually smooth appearance, the electric operation is the best choice. A weather proof button can be mounted anywhere, like under a fender or behind a bumper.
Remote controlled doors is the coolest way to go, though. By using a remote key fob push button and the remote receiver, the doors can be opened remotely with the push of a button.
As far as the inside handles are concerned, with the use of some cable, the original handles or some custom stuff can easily be used.
One of Autoloc's shaved door kits includes the pieces for remote operation of the doors or more and can include an alarm system as an additional option. Remotes are available with up to 18 separate functions. In addition to controlling each of your doors separately, openers for the trunk and hood can be added. Linear actuators can be added to any of the doors, trunk or hood for remotely showing off the engine or audio system.
Check out Autolocs hinge, latch and remote kits at www.thehoffmangroup.com for additional information. Any of The Hoffman Groups parts are available from the Flying Hammer. If something you need is not in the Shopping Section, sned me an email and I will order it for you. clark@flyinghammerllc.com
Posted by Clark Olson at 1/11/2009 2:34 AM 
Categories: shaved doors,Suicide doors,remote door latches,suicide door hinge kits,bear claw latches
Categories: shaved doors,Suicide doors,remote door latches,suicide door hinge kits,bear claw latches
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