Need help on my 56 outside door handles

[Ron]

As far as the the rods going from the door latch to the door handle I think they are the same as a 2 door hardtop and conv. but nobody makes them
I am almost postive the corvettes are the same because they have the exact same setup.

Now the rod from the door latch to the door lock are 56 hardtop and conv. only I can find them

[chevynut]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/56-Chevy-Doo...e26d55&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/55-56-57-Che...80ef44&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/56-CHEVY-BEL...525f95&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1956-1962-Co...39b46b&vxp=mtr



http://www.ebay.com/itm/1956-1962-Corvette-Door-Lock-Mechanism-Rod-/350625532292?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Year%3A1956%7CMake%3AChevrolet&hash=item51a2 e90984&vxp=mtr

[chevynut]

Hey Ron,

How much of the 4DHT side trim is common with the other 4-door cars? I wonder if some of the pieces might work. I know the front fender trim is the same. Is the door trim the same? How about the quarter trim? I would think the dogleg would be unique, but I'm not sure.

[chevynut]

Looks to me like the only trim difference is the dogleg. I think the HT dogleg is shorter vertically, so you couldn't make one out of a sedan piece. And the 2DHT piece is shorter lengthwise. A guy good at fixing trim could probably make one out of a 4-door sedan part and a 2DHT part, by welding them together.

I have nearly a full set of 4-door BelAir sedan side trim in excellent shape, including one long quarter trim piece.

[Ron]

The only side molding that fits is the ones on the front fenders.
the doors are longer on a 4 door hardtop then a a 4 door sedan.
the back 1/4 are shorter

It looks like I might be getting another 4 door hardtop that is only good as a parts car but all the side molding is there.

Thanks

[hep1966]

The outside handles are the same as Corvette handles.

I don't know about the inside parts.

[chevynut]

Ron, did any of the parts I linked on eBay look like they would work for you?

[Ron]

Found out the hard way the door rods from the outside door handle to latch off from a Corvette donot fit the Belair 4 door hardtop.
I did find 5/32 drilled rod that will be perfect to make the rods out of. So I am going to make my own.

The other rods where never a problem you can get them from Danchuk and cheaper then ebay

[Ron]

I see there is a lot of views on this subject. So I figured I would up date this in case anybody else ends up in the same situation I did. The door lock to latch rods that are being sold for the 56 4 door hardtop from Danchuk and others do not wok. I did call Danchuk last week and let them know there book and salesperson was wrong about the lock rods fitting a 4 door hardtop They are way to short they are for a 2 door hardtop only so save your money. I ended up having to make all my rods myself I used 5/32" x 36" Oil Hardened Drill Rod. It will take one 3 foot rod for each door. I made a couple of mistake when I was threading the first one so I was glad I had gotten 3 rods. They are cheap and once I got the hang of it I thought it was very easy to do. I used a 6/32 die to make the threads and then I had to use a 6/32 tap for the swivel which the outside door handle rod screws into. The swivel is on the door latch towards the bottom. There is nothing else you can use so make sure you do not to screw up the swivel. You do have to pull the windows out and some of the hardware but it is a easy job I felt. My biggest problem was who ever took the door handles and locks off a long time ago had no idea what they where doing and I had a lot of work I had to do to the doors to get the locks back in where then belonged. I will try and get a picture of the car with the handles and locks on later.

[Ron]

I been trying to get some pictures of the rods on how then hook up on the inside but the pictures keep coming out real dark. Once I get some good ones I will post them also. I do have a picture of the car with the locks and handles on now. The touch up paint color is wrong but I plan on repainting the whole car this fall now the side chrome is being made .........................