Can your granny open your trucks door?

[SquareRoot]

Legit question here. Is it just me or is the push button on the outside door handle have to be so hard to push in? I know the amount of pressure it takes to actuate the release mechanism can vary but, I have installed new units, dissembled, cleaned and greased the old ones and it was easier....for a time. I'm convinced it's just inherently difficult by design. Maybe that's why cars evolved to using lift or pull style handles before keyless entry came along? I'm tempted to go nuclear and graft in some KinDigit handles.

 

[SirRobyn0]

I think your right there is some stiffness to it in general. But I also think it depends on what you compare it to. Definitely stiffer than a modern rig.

 

[Bennyt]

Somewhere in my garage, I have a set of C10 Billet handles from GSI and if I recall correctly, they feel smoother and lighter pressure. I've never compared them side by side by will see if I can rig up a scale to measure this weekend just out of curiosity.

But yes, my granny can open the door. Course she's 6'3", 250, runs a 4.5 in the 40

 

[SquareRoot]

Actually something like this. OEM Silverado style. I'm betting it wouldn't take much work to make these function? And no more push button!

 

[SquareRoot]

Somewhere in my garage, I have a set of C10 Billet handles from GSI and if I recall correctly, they feel smoother and lighter pressure. I've never compared them side by side by will see if I can rig up a scale to measure this weekend just out of curiosity.

I'm thinking the pressure comes from the door latch mechanism not the handle itself. However, all the pressure goes thru the connecting rod to the push button. Your thumb is the only way to overcome it. Imagine if the same principle was used to open the tailgate.

 

[Bennyt]

Actually something like this. OEM Silverado style. I'm betting it wouldn't take much work to make these function? And no more push button!

I've never seen a broken squarebody door handle even on 50 year old trucks. But i have seen plenty of newer trucks with broken ones.

 

[Turbo4whl]

What @Bennyt said ^^^

 

[SquareRoot]

Looking at the existing door latch courtesy of LMC next to the later 2007-2014 Silverado handle, I'm betting this would be an easy modification.

 

[SquareRoot]

I'm not worried about the handle, I'm worried about my thumb!

 

[CalSgt]

Actually something like this. OEM Silverado style. I'm betting it wouldn't take much work to make these function? And no more push button!

I've never seen a broken squarebody door handle even on 50 year old trucks. But i have seen plenty of newer trucks with broken ones.

I had to replace the handles on my ‘07 Yukon several times.

I do think you’re onto something with the thumb vs hand argument. Also with that is push vs pull.

When you say that you greased it did you grease everything? I cleaned the latch mechanism in the hot tank and scrubbed all of the dried up cruddy grease out then really worked a grease/ATF mixture into everything. I also de-burred and greased the linkages at every friction point.

Mine aren’t hard to push in at all.

Even considering my doors are so tight from the new seals that I’ve had to adjust the striker post in phases trying to get the seal to smash down.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Doppleganger]

Actually something like this. OEM Silverado style. I'm betting it wouldn't take much work to make these function? And no more push button!

Stop it dangit. I have enough projects and mods to have to now think on another.

Like a tune in my head......this will haunt me all night. Time for a trip to a yard for a donor handle.

 

[idahovette]

Somewhere in my garage, I have a set of C10 Billet handles from GSI and if I recall correctly, they feel smoother and lighter pressure. I've never compared them side by side by will see if I can rig up a scale to measure this weekend just out of curiosity.

But yes, my granny can open the door. Course she's 6'3", 250, runs a 4.5 in the 40

Who does she play for???

 

[SquareRoot]

I had to replace the handles on my ‘07 Yukon several times.

I do think you’re onto something with the thumb vs hand argument. Also with that is push vs pull.

When you say that you greased it did you grease everything? I cleaned the latch mechanism in the hot tank and scrubbed all of the dried up cruddy grease out then really worked a grease/ATF mixture into everything. I also de-burred and greased the linkages at every friction point.

Mine aren’t hard to push in at all.

Even considering my doors are so tight from the new seals that I’ve had to adjust the striker post in phases trying to get the seal to smash down.

You must be registered for see images attach

Yes, I think I stopped short of actually disassembling the latch mechanism. I used a can of brake cleaner with the little nozzle and a toothbrush to clean them and basically soaked em in oil and greased the spots I could get to. I have a spare set on my set of spare doors. Maybe I will pull them out and do a deep dive. Complete disassemble and file job. Can't be much different than doing a trigger job on one of my toys.

 

[chevytech87]

FYI, the handles pictured above are awful imo. However, I recently had a government vehicle with billet handles of the same style. I’d look for those, they’re awesome

 

[RecklessWOT]

Actually something like this. OEM Silverado style. I'm betting it wouldn't take much work to make these function? And no more push button!

But those are the worst quality door handles ever made. I have an '08 and a few of my friends have trucks in that year range, they all fall apart. I understand wanting to make the door easier to open, but trust me those particular handles are garbage.

And to each their own, please don't take offense, but man I think that would look horrible on a square. Surely you can find some other period correct handle that just isn't push button style?