I think this lock mod could be done VERY easily. The rod has a straight run of a few inches before the part that sticks up out of the door.

All you'd need to do is cut a section of the rod away, and use a cable-clamp type thing (ususally used to splice together sections of bicycle brake cables, etc.) to re-connect the two pieces, shortening the rod by maybe 1/2"

With a little bit of careful measuring, you could have the lock stick up just enough to grab it if you need to (I have had several nightmares of driving into water - anyone care to do some dream analysis?), yet still have it much lower than it is now, and not poking you in the arm constantly.

Soon - I will grow some ***** and do this. As soon as I can get rid of the driving-off-the-bridge nightmares.

This would be a VERY easy mod, IMO.

 

Another easy way is push down the lock, take a hack saw and cut the plastic piece that protrudes up, done deal. Another better way I prefer is pick up some horizontal slider locks from scrap yard and install them vertically just below the door where the steel rods inside are. May require some mods, but it'll look like original, nice 'n' clean.

 

Ok people, I got off my *** tonight and actually did the door lock lowering mod.

Very easy, 1/2 hour per door if you never took your doors off and 15 minutes per door if you have.

Follow this guys directions for taking the door off.
Door removal
THe only thing I did that he didn't mention is I took off the plastic corner where the mirror is. You need to take this off to get the door back on. Trust me.

After the door is off, unscrew the door lock while holding the rod with a pair of pliers. You will see the rod threaded quite a ways. I used a dremel to cut off part of the thread. (a small hack saw or even heavy wire cutters might work, but a dremel is best) 15 mm from the top thread (end of the rod) will give you a completely flush look. (this is what I did) I would suggest 12 or 13, still wont get in the way but you could grab it if you had too. Then screw the lock back on, and put your door on. You're done.

I will try to post pics on monday to show you how it looks. I would have done some while doing it but I don't have a camera and the link above is enough to do it.

The only concern is that if someone pulls up on the lock hard, the remaining 8-10 mm of thread may not be strong enough and strip. But I highly doubt it would happen. You can't really grab the lock any more to pull it up anyways.
If it did ever come off, a little epoxy would keep it put. I will let you know if I ever have any problems with it.

Honestly I can say the best hour I have spent on my car yet. I am very happy with the results.

Stocker

PS I did both doors to even out the look, and I can't say if this mod will work on any other protege other than the P5.

 

Great post, man. I'm glad someone finally got up the nerve to do it.

I thought it was gonna be me, but I think I'm getting lazier as the weather gets warmer.

Definitely post some pix when you can!

And - hoooray - another use for the dremel I recently bought!

 

It might be wise to try and hook it up so that the lock pops up when you pull the handle of the door. I find that to be one of the larger problems with the doors, aside from the hieght of the stock lock. Congrats on getting that done.

 

I say go ahead and trim the plastic piece and make it flat. But for the sake of "if your car ever goes off a bridge" into water situation, just keep a spark plug in u're change box or something, hit the end of the spark plug ever so gently on the window and it'll shatter into a million little pieces. Then you swim out thru the window. hehehehe

 

I don't think trimming the lock is a viable option. The plastic lock piece is actually quite hollow. The threads extend very far into the plastic. If you trimmed it I think you would cut straight through the hollow part and end up with a very ugly looking mess. Just my two cents after staring at the plastic piece for a little while.

Stocker.