2004-06 GTO Door Handle install in 2nd Gen Trans am PICS!

[oldguy]

Thought we would share the 2004-06 GTO door handle installation in a 1981 2nd Gen Trans Am.

To see all of our work in one place on this 2nd Gen LS2 T56 Build follow the build thread.

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...-Gen-LS2-6-spd

If you like what you see please give us a 5-Star rating for this thread. Thanks!!

As this is a custom build we wanted to smooth out the doors without shaving the handles entirely. This allows the car to enter into autocross or other events where exterior door handles might be required.

We had looked at all the options and narrowed it down to the 2004-06 GTO or the 2000 Cadillac Catera. The owner felt that the GTO door handles looked a little nicer and that's the direction we went.

We bought a NICE pair of doors off a 2005 GTO. It was actually a shame to cut them up. However we not only got the handles but the power door locks which are operated with the key as well as the switches... A nice bonus...

First we marked out the location with a paper template where we wanted the new door handle to be. You will notice a mark on the chrome handle on the left side. This is where the actuator is located.



Factory handle removed and alignment marks laid out.



Same corresponding marks made on the GTO sheet metal.





Paper template made. You will notice the horizontal line. This line follows the factory door handle alignment of the TA bottom edge.



Paper template installed on factory door with alignment marks in proper position.



Closer view.



Ready to cut out the old sheet metal and door handle.



Here's the old sheet metal in the foreground and the new sheet metal in rear with the template.



The cut door, no going back now.



Test fit of the new sheetmetal part



First tacks for positioning.



Final welding of the new door handle insert.



Ground and smoothed out.





More handle fitment.



Side view of how nice these GTO door handles look.



Etch primed to keep surface rust away.



To make it work, we took the stock GTO rod and bent and cut it to fit. We then marked the position of the rod and welded a small washer on the rod. The door handle works perfectly.



Hope this helps someone wanting to do something similar.

PS: We have a nice set of 81 TA door handles and sheet metal if anyone is looking to do the TA handles to their car