With the introduction of any new vehicle, sometimes corrections must be quickly made that were missed during their design.
We discover that even the more knowledgeable followers of the Advanced Design pickups and big trucks are not aware there were two different designs of “door handle remotes”.
Generally Unknown Fact:
The 1947-48 the doors, were opened by pushing the inside handle forward. From 1949 until the end of the series it was pulled back to allow the door to open. This requires a different door handle remote.
Shortly after the introduction of the Advance Design truck, a negative surprise appeared. During an emergency stop, the driver and passenger’s body might slightly slide forward (seat belts were not a law until 1968). This movement sometimes caused the drivers and passenger’s outer leg to contact the door handle and the door then opened!
Usually the truck did not have to hit another vehicle in front, but it could brake for a person, an animal, or debris in the road. Even if nothing was contacted but if the knee hit the door handle, it might open, (the door hold-open bracket was not designed for this high speed opening) and it could break instantly and allow the door to swing open too far. Its front edge could go into the cowl panel. The new long vertical crease made the truck owner very unhappy!
We suspect a permanent divorce occurred between a truck owner and the dealer when this was not under warrantee! Does the dealer fix it OR loose a customer for life?
The competition (Dodge, Ford, International, Studebaker, etc.) were always waiting for an unhappy Chevy/GMC truck owner!
If you install a 1949-55 remote there is a problem on all 1947-55 doors. The long connecting strap does not fit into the inner door gutter made for the remote, it goes across it. In addition, it now rubs the underside of the non-metal appearance door panel. This is hidden from sight unless it wears through this cardboard.
A financial loss for GM!
When General Motors realized this mistake, we can be sure thousands of door remotes waiting for the assembly line were sent to a metal re-cycler near each of their many assembly-line factories in the U.S.
We are sure of our comment because of the Chevrolet Master Parts Catalog dated April, 1950. This large book was sent to all dealers about twice each year. It showed all parts that were still available from GM and could still be ordered by Chevrolet dealerships to place in their parts department.
In this April, 1950 catalog it lists truck remotes all the same from 1947 through 1950 (the year it was printed). It tells us that the 1947-48 remotes had been replaced by the redesigned 1949 design!
This photo shows a door with the revised 1949-55 remote attached. No fit in gutter.
How the gutter was designed and used in 1947-48. Nice fit as originally designed.
Yes, as mentioned early in this article, the replacement remote does not fit in the gutter. It actually rubs the surrounding ridge that was originally designed to protect the remote’s movement.
It’s Only a Truck!
To GM, the best decision was to discontinue the 1947-48 remotes for safety reasons. The in-service 1947-48 truck owners would be provided a 1949-55 remote from the dealer if they requested one. After all, trucks were for work and this slight imperfection was hidden by the door panel. Of course, GM was very concerned that a very bad injury could occur with a knee pressing the door handle in an accident.
Definition: The word DEALER in the above relates only to the certified GM dealerships.
A big thank you goes out to an old friend; Jerry Wallen, of Garden City, MO. He brought this door remote difference to our attention. He has a 1948 Chevrolet Cab and was on a hunt for early remotes to fit his 1948 doors. (That would fit in the inner door gutter.) Yes, we provided Jerry a pair and we gained so much knowledge from him.
Update: You can imagine how rare the 1947-48 remotes are with no reproduction ever made. See photo above of the big difference.
At this writing, Jim Carter Truck Parts has a few used 1947-1948 remotes in stock! What an unusual item for those that want their restoration just right and enjoys discussions with other AD truck owners.
