Anybody done this? What about a kit like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-SPAL-Basic-S...484&vxp=mtr

Came really close to putting a kit in for the sake of locking my truck. But I didn't because of the safety factor and you can't race a car with shaved handles.

If you have stock working door latches leave them be until they break.

Bear claw latches are a pain if you can make the stock stuff last you will be glad you did.

Did it on my Duster. Though I don't use it every day, they have been trouble-free for the last 6 years since installed.

The key to dependable poppers are heavy duty solenoids. Some are simply too small - will function initially and then crap out over time - and that's when you'd curse shaved handles. As others have mentioned, consider the application and goals.

Some pics of my install here with stock latches:

http://www.70duster440.com/customization.html#shaveddoorhandles

http://www.70duster440.com/reassembly.html#popperelectronics

http://www.70duster440.com/reassembly.html#poppers

The ones in that ebay ad look like the "smaller" ones I've seen. Mine are 50lb. But SPAL makes really nice quality fans so....

i thought about shaved handles on my humpback, but instead, i decided on using flush style handles from a 93-95ish caravan. they will fit directly under the body belt line and since they are black plastic and the body will be dark[leaving the original "patina"], they will practically disappear. i am using the latches from an 84 or so k-car. they are similar to a bear claw, but with a bazillion of k's out there, i'm not worried about dependability.

I've also done the newer car handle and latches on several cars & trucks. The new stuff pretty wide for an old, thin 30s door, I have added about 1/4" (you only need it for about 6" space right at the latch) to the inside of the old thin doors to accommodate the newer latches, it was well worth the extra work. I've used K Car stuff, 80s 5th Ave stuff, and my 48 has Dakota stuff in the doors. We are probably going to put Dakota latches in my sons 57 Dodge, because we have a driver door latch issue. With a little thought, you could use your existing handles with modern latches, if your handles are good.(I'll let you know if we go that way, but the car is on hold right now.

As far as that "Kit", 40lbs solenoids are borderline, I've seen kits with 70lbs solenoids, those would be OK, and have at least 1 door that can be opened if the electrical system is down (dead battery). Gene

I shaved the handles on my 64 300, but left the original locks.

I rebent the linkage so that the lock opened the door latch. I installed spring loaded poppers to pop the door open when the latch released, though for awhile I just pulled it open with the key. If you wanted to be real retentive you could run pull cables from the door latch to under the hood somewhere as a back up.

My '57 Chrysler has shaved doors but since I bought it that way I wouldn't know exactly what kind of kit was used.
I do know if you have the choice between a heavier type of solenoid, always go for the heavier version.

I got trapped in my 51 yesterday afternoon because of my shaved handles....

It has been sitting about 6 months, no trickle charger....

Got in rolled down the power windows, hit the fuel pump switch and it sounded a little off.... Hit the key engine turned over twice then click click click. Drat, dead battery.

Hit the door switch, and just a slight click, not enough to open the door. Drat...... Oh well gonna just climb out the window....except for one thing. The top is chopped 6" and I am a bit "Fluffy"

Oh well, the boy is in the house will just ring him to come help..... Cell phone is in the house!

About 5 minutes later he comes to the shed on his 4 wheeler to see what I am up to. Just in time to see me try and climb out the window! Well, after a few minutes, I managed to get all the way to my belt with me hanging out the window in a back bend I announce I am stuck. My 11 year old freaked and wanted to call 911 LOL. Finally wiggled my way out and managed not to fall on my head.

I WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER CAR WITH SHAVED HANDLES!!!!!!! They have been a PIA ever since I got it.

The doors still have the old 1951 latches, which are worn, and with a car that wants to twist some when I go out playing, they are not dependable. Hell the passenger door swung out on the wife one night. Glad I had installed seat belts!

When I break it down for paint again, it is getting door handles re-installed. It is also getting bear claws.

-Dave

Put ones on my truck.
No problems but I would put on a manual pull kit as well.

whenever I do door solenoids, I always make the inside release manual just in case of a fire or dead battery.