Sumo Mods

[Ian Scott]

Hi All,

Has anybody done anything about the less than desirable interior door handles and the handbrake on the Pilgrim Sumo?

Thanks in anticipation.

Ian.

[Dan]

The door handles are the easier of the 2 to modify but you will probably need to upholster the door yourself as the Pilgrim template used for the door panel has the rectangular slot already cut out. constructing the panel yourself will give you plenty of other options for the handle as you will be able to cut the required hole to shape.

The handbrake is a slightly more tricky item to get moved, I have seen a sumo with the handbrake on the side of the Tunnel which apperently used the same conecting cable. No one that I know has gone as far as moving the handbrake to the side of the driver, like I belive the Dax , GD and probably others??

As I see it you have 3 options with the Sumo handbrake,

1) Leave it.
2) Lower it.
3) Move it.

#1 is easy , #2 is what I have opted for, well actually instead of lowering the handbrake I have raised the tunnel, #3 You will need to consider replacing the cable that pulls the brakes on. I suppose you could keep the section up to the U bar, The single wire that connects to this would need to be extended, If it had it's own protective sheath then it could potentialy be positioned anywhere a good mounting point could be found.



Dan ~ http://homepage.ntlworld.com/danny.mann/

[David Horsnell]

I haven't got as far as the door panels yet, body on order and should be ready end March.

As for the handbrake, I've mounted mine on drivers side of the tunnel using a mount plate made out of stainless steel and a 1990 Cavalier handbrake lever. I've used the existing Ford cable and the small rod from the Ford lever to the "u" shaped bit on the cable.

I'll try to attach a photo to show the finished article.

It was also necessary to mount some "eye" bolts to feed the cables through in place of the holes welded on the chassis. This was needed to get the cable lower so it does not foul on the propshaft.

Best of luck

David Horsnell

[graham]

Once I made pull cords in the doors, then made my own panels. Not sure if this would pass sva though!

Graham

[David Horsnell]

Trying a lower resolution picture of finished side mounted handbrake.

David Horsnell
(Bury St Edmunds)

http://www.cobraclub.com/crcforum/user_files/957.jpg

[Kevin W]

I pondered on this for some time, and ended up just lowering the handbrake. I got a friend to re-weld the legs on it so that it lies a lot lower, and conversely doesnt need pulling up so high on the ON position. I;ve also moved it slightly on the trans tunnel as I had also bent my gear lever backwards (makes selecting the gears a lot more comfortable) but then the gear lever was hitting the h/brake in 2nd and 4th before I had it re-welded.

I'm also less than keen about those internal door handles, but the alternative chrome types are very expensive, and now I just want to get the bloody thing finished - so my tweaking and modding days are over!!

Kevin

[breskit]

I managed to do something a little more special with the door handles. Instead of the old rubbishy looking Capri handles, I opted for no handles at all!

What I did instead was put a simple push switch into the inside of the door, at the top of the door where it meets the front bulkhead. This switch operated a small motor which would open the door lock. This meant that the door panels didn't need any holes cut in them. The operation of the door opening mechanism is very smooth too.

I'll put a picture up if anyone's interested. Just let me know.

Tony B
---
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tony.breski

[David Horsnell]

Tony

A photo would helpful. Did you use the normal central locking solenoid or a diferent motor ?

David

[Ian Scott]

HI ALL,

Once again thanks to you all for your replies, as a true novice it has been all good gen.

Thanks Ian

[Kevin W]

Hi Tony,
Been checking your site for news......

I'd defintly be interested in a pic, and some info on hard it is to do this. as I'm having my door panels handmade it would be useful to loos the capri handles.

Kevin