Early door straps orientation?

[DMC-81]

Hi there,

I finally got the interior door trim reinstalled after a few months, and I can't remember the correct orientation of the early door straps. Should the metal ring face you or the other way?

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Thanks!

[81dmc]

Hi there,

I finally got the interior door trim reinstalled after a few months, and I can't remember the correct orientation of the early door straps. Should the metal ring face you or the other way?

44265

Thanks!

:offtopic2: BUT, you should probably upgrade to later straps if you are not looking for exact originality. The early straps have a tendency to destroy the grab handles. They also do not close the doors from their center of gravity, which results in screwed up strikers or worse, tweaked doors.

[DMC-81]

:offtopic2: BUT, you should probably upgrade to later straps if you are not looking for exact originality. The early straps have a tendency to destroy the grab handles. They also do not close the doors from their center of gravity, which results in screwed up strikers or worse, tweaked doors.

Thanks for the suggestion! I read that somewhere on here before. My car has the soft covering on the grab handles as well, so I can see why over time it damages them. Although, the original owner must have been careful, as there isn't a mark on them.

As a result, I just use the strap/handle to get the door lowered, and whether inside or outside, I push it shut by placing my hand on the door somewhere between the hinges.

I'm one of those sticklers looking for (almost) exact originality. :mallet:

[Nicholas R]

:offtopic2: BUT, you should probably upgrade to later straps if you are not looking for exact originality. The early straps have a tendency to destroy the grab handles. They also do not close the doors from their center of gravity, which results in screwed up strikers or worse, tweaked doors.

I would like to see some photos of this if anyone has some. I've heard people talk about this but never actually seen it. My car has early pull straps and has since 81 and the handles are still in good condition. Certainly not saying it's not possible, but I don't think it's as serious of a matter as it is made out to be. Also, based on the mention of screwed up strikers and tweaked doors, are you saying that (assuming you're tall enough) you should not close the door using the door handle that is on the inside of the door, since it is in the load path of the early pull strap?

As for the direction of the straps, is there actually a "correct" way? I mean, these were an afterthought right? I've seen people argue this point before, and I'm curious where the basis for the answer comes from. Did a bulletin get sent out from DMCL saying "Short people cant reach the door handles, therefore put these makeshift straps on. They MUST be installed in 'this' orientation."

[81dmc]

I would like to see some photos of this if anyone has some. I've heard people talk about this but never actually seen it. My car has early pull straps and has since 81 and the handles are still in good condition. Certainly not saying it's not possible, but I don't think it's as serious of a matter as it is made out to be.
I have seen some cases of destroyed handles, but it really depends on how the car was cared for throughout the years. For example, my car had some time in Arizona and California sun from the POs, however, the handles were just starting to show signs of deterioration. After a talk at DMCH, I decided to add integrated pull straps, and as a result, my doors close more evenly from the interior.



Also, based on the mention of screwed up strikers and tweaked doors, are you saying that (assuming you're tall enough) you should not close the door using the door handle that is on the inside of the door, since it is in the load path of the early pull strap?
For very early cars like my own, the doors can be tweaked from that handle since it is placed to the front of the door. Really, there is a reason the factory "improved" the design by adding built-in straps to later models.

[Nicholas R]

For very early cars like my own, the doors can be tweaked from that handle since it is placed to the front of the door. Really, there is a reason the factory "improved" the design by adding built-in straps to later models.

Yes but based on that logic, shouldn't they have eliminated the interior door handles all together then? You have to assume that the interior door handle is still meant to be used as a load point for closing the door from the inside. Otherwise why leave the door handle if you can't use it? Personally I believe the strap change was likely to make the strap a more integrated part of the car, as having afterthought straps on the handles doesn't look nearly as cohesive.

This being said, it is my understanding that the late doors have a bit more structural integrity than early doors.

[81dmc]

This being said, it is my understanding that the late doors have a bit more structural integrity than early doors.

This is the likely reason for keeping the grab handles, but also considered is the time and cost needed (which they didn't have) for major production changes

[Drive Stainless]

I'd be glad to retrofit my doors with the later-style pull strap as soon as a black "door handle delete" becomes available. Else, there is no way I'm going to furnish two apparatus on my doors with which to pull the door closed; my vanity won't allow for it.

With regard to closing the doors generally, I find that if you're going pull the door closed from near the strut (late pull strap) [1] vs. the center of the doors (early handle) [2], you should close the doors from the exterior in the same place. A small striker pin/latch adjustment is usually needed for smooth closing depending on whether you close using method [1] or [2]. Make up your mind and be consistent.

[Delorean Industries]

The best reference source material for the orientation of the pull strap is watching BTTF. Clearly visible in many scenes. I would go by this exclusively in terms of "how things should look".

[content22207_2]

This is the likely reason for keeping the grab handles, but also considered is the time and cost needed (which they didn't have) for major production changes

Integrated pull straps were a factory designed (versus Lotus) mod. They are nothing more than stand alone pull straps with the D ring cut off, attached to the door with armrest support screws, then trimmed with seat back release lever bezels. Quite creative IMHO, using inventory already on hand.

#2508 will be getting a pair when (if) I put it back together:

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I am firmly convinced #5939 came with integrated straps from the factory. Latest date scribbled on the car is December 1981 (car appears to have been stored "by the fence" then brought back inside later to be completed, quite possible due to passenger door internals which still don't fit right).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[81dmc]

With regard to closing the doors generally, I find that if you're going pull the door closed from near the strut (late pull strap) [1] vs. the center of the doors (early handle) [2]...
:facepalm:

[1] Actually, the later pull strap is centered between both hinges.

[2] The handle is situated parallel to the front hinge.

This is why twisting sometimes occurs.

[Drive Stainless]

:facepalm:

[1] Actually, the later pull strap is centered between both hinges.

[2] The handle is situated parallel to the front hinge.

This is why twisting sometimes occurs.

Thanks for sharing the graphic. When I said the pull strap was near the strut, I should have said it was nearER the strut versus the handle, which is further from the strut. I've owned my D for 13 years and have yet to twist any doors by closing them. What I would say is more common is bowing of the upper portion of the door as discussed here:

http://www.dmctoday.com/showthread.php?1924-Door-Roof-Bowing

Getting back to my point of being consistent, do you find that the doors latch differently depending on where you push or pull from?

[81dmc]

Thanks for sharing the graphic. When I said the pull strap was near the strut, I should have said it was nearER the strut versus the handle, which is further from the strut. I've owned my D for 13 years and have yet to twist any doors by closing them. What I would say is more common is bowing of the upper portion of the door as discussed here:

http://www.dmctoday.com/showthread.php?1924-Door-Roof-Bowing

Getting back to my point of being consistent, do you find that the doors latch differently depending on where you push or pull from?

They do latch differently depending on the condition of the door. For me, it was merely easier to install the later pull straps and not worry about closing the doors at all. This was my ONLY option since my car has a flimsy passenger door (I replaced the driver door last year).

[Drive Stainless]

They do latch differently depending on the condition of the door. For me, it was merely easier to install the later pull straps and not worry about closing the doors at all. This was my ONLY option since my car has a flimsy passenger door (I replaced the driver door last year).

Tell me more about the flimsy door...

[Jonathan]

Getting back to what Dana originally asked about, I try to loop mine through so that when I close the doors, the flap of material doesn't get closed IN the door.

The pull straps seem to develop a tendency to curve one way or the other, so I'll loop them through so they tend to curve "up" and then when you close the door it is less likely they get caught in the door (like they sometimes do when curving/drooping down). Sort of like how seatbelts used to get closed into the door at times back in the day.

And after almost 20 posts in the thread, I'm surprised no on has said it... so I'll go ahead... I think it's one of those preferences similar to 'which way is the right way to hang a roll of toilet paper?!' lol Clearly the correct way to hang a roll of toilet paper is having the paper roll down from the top and not from under. Sheesh!! :)

[minispeedstar]

My Oct vin 5987 was one of the last documented to have had the earlier pull straps. (Last being 5992) Yet on removing the door card was apparent the later style was about to be put into production, due to pre marked holes on inside of panel....

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160708/01aec88fa146ace6f3373fc9fb147a55.jpg

[DMC-81]

Thanks all for the replies and the related discussion. I found a picture of my car before disassembly, and the rings were toward the outside of the door, like so..

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Not saying that that's how they came in 1981, but to Jonathan's point about positioning them so they don't interfere with the opening, on my car, this is also the orientation that allows that, and they hang down out of the way inside the car when the door is closed....

44272

So, if there is no specification, then this way suits me. :thumbup:

[81dmc]

Thanks all for the replies and the related discussion. I found a picture of my car before disassembly, and the rings were toward the outside of the door, like so..

44271

Not saying that that's how they came in 1981, but to Jonathan's point about positioning them so they don't interfere with the opening, on my car, this is also the orientation that allows that, and they hang down out of the way inside the car when the door is closed....

44272

So, if there is no specification, then this way suits me. :thumbup:

Glad you it sorted out!

Also, sorry for the HUGE derailment of your thread...

[DMC-81]

Glad you it sorted out!

Also, sorry for the HUGE derailment of your thread...

Thanks! No worries. I think it's all related and valuable information.:)

[whocruiser]

And after almost 20 posts in the thread, I'm surprised no on has said it... so I'll go ahead... I think it's one of those preferences similar to 'which way is the right way to hang a roll of toilet paper?!' lol Clearly the correct way to hang a roll of toilet paper is having the paper roll down from the top and not from under. Sheesh!! :)

Unless, of course, you have a playful cat in your house! Then the "other" way is the "correct" way to hang the roll, I assure you from personal experience ;-) Oh, and be sure to click on this GIF image for a "practical demonstration" of the dilemma, LOL :-)

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