RS door cards Has anyone done this with the locks?

[Snitzler]

I found some longer door lock pins. Although they are outrageously priced, does this mean you can just delete the knob and stuff from inside on the door card? I have attached a picture from the website Stuttgart Classica. I am thinking that I could easily go to a wrecking yard and get some longer pins and get an even simpler look.

[Cory M]

You can buy reproduction lock buttons for early cars for about $8 each..

[DemianM]

I did that....I deleted the rotary knobs but, I had to grind the square piece where the knob attaches (it would hit the panel) and bigger issue was that the "early" pin uses a thread which is 1 mm thinner than the later pins....I had to drill and tap it, not very easy because there is not much material left...but can be done!

[froggert]

[panzerfaust]

any one want to 3d print the smaller early lock pin to fit the smaller early door panels with the larger threaded rod of the rotary locks?

[edjrbashian]

I am in the process of making custom door pins. I was thinking of making a backdate style(longer pin with head) that fit the larger threaded rod and 3D print it. I will post back and let you know how that comes out and maybe I can make a few more for far cheaper than what is available.

panzerfaust, that should be no problem, do you know what the diameter is on the early door panels?

[panzerfaust]

Originally Posted by edjrbashian

I am in the process of making custom door pins. I was thinking of making a backdate style(longer pin with head) that fit the larger threaded rod and 3D print it. I will post back and let you know how that comes out and maybe I can make a few more for far cheaper than what is available.

panzerfaust, that should be no problem, do you know what the diameter is on the early door panels?

sorry my early door panels are still in boxes in storage and i havent opened it to measure yet.

let us know when you get a early lock pin for the later threaded rod. i surely would be interested.

[Snitzler]

I wanted to replace the door lock knobs with “normal” knobs so that potentially I can get rid of the big rotary lock knobs on my RS door panels. I want the door cards to look as simple as possible. I have deleted the radio so no speakers as well.

I ordered some conventional door lock knobs from our host. 901-531-671-21-M253 at $4.50 each. The threads do not fit my car. I think they are for older Porsches.
Someone in the forum provided the correct thread which is 4.5 x 0.75. I ordered the tap and found out the correct drill bit size for the tap. Somewhere around a #26 looked good. I had some aluminum dowel which was pretty close to the diameter of the existing knob. Drilled and tapped it and it fit perfectly so I knew the drill and tap combination would work.

The new knobs are made from a pretty soft plastic, so I hand drilled the new knobs with a 9/64” drill bit. This removed most of the internal thread and then threaded the knobs by hand with the 4.5 x 0.75 tap.

The new knobs thread perfectly. There was a difference in diameter, the new knobs are much thinner. I put two layers of black heat shrink and they fit like the old knobs. Unless you are inches away you can’t see the heat shrink and who stares at door lock knobs anyways? Now to replace my old RS door cards with my new RS door cards and see how the rest of this works.

[Flojo]

why'd you want to do that?
makes it easier for a burglar to grab it an unlock the car.
Id had a reason why porsche switched to the short version without edgy tip.

[merlinfe]

If a thief wants the car they will take it, doesnt matter what lock is on the car.

- Steve

[Snitzler]

Success, I deleted the locking knob from the door cards. I didn't have to modify the locking mechanism so if I wanted to I could return it to the knob on the door card. Works as expected with the custom lock knobs. Now I have to do the driver side. I am changing the interior to black from tan. Speakers are heavy, over a kilo a piece.

[aread]

Originally Posted by Flojo

why'd you want to do that?
makes it easier for a burglar to grab it an unlock the car.
Id had a reason why porsche switched to the short version without edgy tip.

I agree. What benefit is there of removing the knobs? Just curious.

[jac1976]

I’d say a cleaner look and deletion of a redundant device once the pins are accessible.

[Snitzler]

As jac1976 said, I like the cleaner look. I always thought those big round knobs were quirky and unnecessary. In regards to theft, the stick shift is probably much more of a theft deterrent than any kind of locking knob.

[AG81]

Originally Posted by jac1976

I’d say a cleaner look and deletion of a redundant device

^
These are the words I was looking for. Redundant device.