Door Strap Dilemma

[Mr. HARDCORE]

The door straps on the 77 and earlier Trans Am's are ugly, but worse yet, they are major pains to keep on the door. I'm pretty much tired of trying to keep them on, and I'm looking for a better substitute. Something more modern and sturdy.

If the 77 had flat panels like the 79, I would have just went with the 3rd generation arm rests and door works, but since this is a 2-peice panel, it makes my problem a bit more complex.

You guys know of any car that has this same type of strap, but in a better looking, more modern design, that is a bit stronger when mounted?

[Chuck]

Are you dead set on changing them? Or would a easy solution to keeping them secured help you?

[manicmechanic]

His strap on is falling off. [lol]

I'd find a set of '79-81 door panels and put the 3rd gen stuff on them. Plus find a set of cup holders from a 1991-92 to add.

[sprint250]

That is a comon problem on 70 thru whenever they changed to the angled pull
strap that was connected to the arm rest(late 70's 80 & 81)Those are not much better as I have seen many of those pulled out at their upper attachment point. This is due to the sheer weight of doors and the occupants pulling on the straps like gorillas.

The sheet metal screws that hold the straps on work loose and after repeated re-tightenings the holes either get stripped or worn out.
Agravation sets in........the wringing of the hands ,the gnashing of the teeth.......oy what to do?

Put a "Nut-Sert" or "Riv-Nut" in the hole where the sheet metal screw used to go(1/4 -20 or 5/16 -18 should be plenty big.If they make one that works like a "nylock" nut use it as that will eliminate the need for the blue loctite.).

Re attach with grade 5 machine screws and use blue loctite to secure 'em.
Blue will hold yet has a low enough break away torque to let you take the door panel apart again if need be.

I did this with mine and it works.
Then I got rid of the apes that had problems opening and closing car doors.

[The Chief]

Yup as sprint says go with a rivnut, those things rock. you could also remove the crashbars if you wanted to reduce the weight of the door

[Chuck]

Something custom would be cool. On my 79 I had a prob with the armrest loosing up. I found that the inner door panel where the screws mounted to were mushroomed out. I just used a hammer and dolly and flatten them out. Seemed to work for me. But if they are wore out you'll have to use rivnuts.

[fiream400]

I just pull the door closed with the lower panel.

[KingBuzzo]

Weld yer doors shut...

Yesh, I agree, they are ugly straps but whatchagonnado...

:rolleyes:

[fiream400]

yeah, weld em shut take the crash bars and windows out. Make those doors weigh 20 pounds. Weld em to the fenders too. It would greatly increase your cars torsional rigidity. Shave the door handles too. The whole car would have a shaved smooth look Just lean the seats back (I assume your aftermarket seats lean) so you can do the running jump/slide into the car.

[Mr. HARDCORE]

These things come loose from the road vibration. That's how worn out they are I guess. I may go with the rivnuts, but I'd like something more modern and more custom!

[sprint250]

TO YOUR CREDIT CARD.

Old refrigerator door handles?
Dresser Drawer Pulls?

See if you can find something out of a boneyard Jag or Benz

[poncho1961]

How old are you now AX? They make those big ole honkin stainless handicap handles almost as long as the door. The kind next to the tall stools in the mens handicap stalls. Now that would be different AND act as a crash guard Plus easier for you to enter and exit the car with something to hold onto

[Mr. HARDCORE]

LOL! You talking about those big stainless steel ones? That would be trick!! No, that would be Pimp!

[KingBuzzo]

Ha ha ha - I want thoze beside my throne - nevermind my pontipig!

[PonTeaYackChick]

Originally Posted by poncho1961

How old are you now AX? They make those big ole honkin stainless handicap handles almost as long as the door. The kind next to the tall stools in the mens handicap stalls. Now that would be different AND act as a crash guard Plus easier for you to enter and exit the car with something to hold onto

[sct402]

Something to think about Mike - The '78 T/A had the handle with the armrest that in my opinion looks and works a lot better. Should be an easy swap if you can find some '78 panels somewhere.

[Chuck]

I think you should have Miranda open and close the door for you. Problem solved!

[Mr. HARDCORE]

She'd probably break more on the car than just the door straps!

[zippy]

I tappewd out the holes for 1/4"x20 thread. Then used 1/4x20 machine screws to bolt my Armrest/pulls on. No loosening off yet, going on 3 years now.

[Lugnuts]

why not weld on a nut to the inner door and use a bolt to hold on a custom leather and metal strap. have an apolstery shop make you some leather straps and then have some custom end covers machined out of aluminum made to cover the bolts and strap ends.