Keyless Entry System Install - Remote Lock Down

While having a classic muscle car is a pretty cool thing, adding modern conveniences makes it even better. Let's face it: Using a key to unlock the door is not that bad when it's just you getting in the car. Throw in someone climbing into the passenger side and you have to do the lean-across-the-seat deal to let them in.

Another issue with using a key to unlock the door is the potential for scratching the paint with god-knows-what hanging off your key ring. If you look at a lot of unrestored old cars, you'll typically notice a lot of scratches on the doors around the keyhole.

The best way to alleviate these issues is to install a power door lock system. While there are a few systems out on the market, the Klassic Keyless setup is the most straightforward one we have dealt with in a long time.

The kit is not a one-size-fits-all deal, but instead has been designed specifically for each application. This minimizes the amount of holes you need to drill and also simplifies the installation process. Tom Pelchat, owner of Klassic Keyless, says, "I wanted the system to install as easy as possible so I design the kits to each vehicle instead of just sending all the components and letting the end user figure out how to make it all work."

The kit comes with a keyless entry module with onboard relays for a clean installation, a pair of two-button remote controls, two door-lock actuators with 15 pounds of pull and built in overload protection, brackets to mount the actuators, two rubber doorjamb boots, two actuator connecting rods and clips, wire harness, full-color step-by-step instruction manual, and all necessary hardware. The system can easily be installed in just a few hours and will set you back a little over 200 bucks. j

Adding a keyless entry kit to protect your paint and make life easier.

1 You must remove the door and kick panels to gain access to the areas needed to install the actuators and drill the holes for the wires to pass through. You will need a screwdriver, panel clip tool, and door handle removal tool to do the job.
1 You must remove the door and kick panels to gain access to the areas needed to install
2a On the latch assembly there is a little tab with a hole in it hanging off the side where the factory power door lock actuators would have hooked up...
2a On the latch assembly there is a little tab with a hole in it hanging off the side whe
2b ...For this install, the hole needs to be enlarged with a 1/4-inch drill to install the late-model-style rod clip shown (above).
2b ...For this install, the hole needs to be enlarged with a 1/4-inch drill to install th

3 The Chevelle/El Camino–specific bracket needs to be bolted up to the new actuator with the provided hardware. The bracket has two holes in it that match up to the factory latch hardware spacing.
3 The Chevelle/El Camino–specific bracket needs to be bolted up to the new actuator with
4 The bracket is made to sandwich between the door and the factory latch assembly. To do this you must loosen the latch assembly so the bracket can slide in, and also remove the lower bolt in the window run channel to give you room to slip the actuator in there.
4 The bracket is made to sandwich between the door and the factory latch assembly. To do
5 With those steps done, the actuator will slip right in.

6 Once you have it positioned you can tighten up the latch assembly and reinstall the lower run channel bolt.
6 Once you have it positioned you can tighten up the latch assembly and reinstall the low
7 Now all you need to do is install the small rod between the actuator and the new clip in the assembly.
7 Now all you need to do is install the small rod between the actuator and the new clip i
8 Now it’s time to add the holes needed to run the wiring from the door to the fuse block. The factory put small dimples in the door as a mark to drill the car for factory power stuff. Since this car was not optioned with power doors, the holes are not there, but the drilling guide dimples are. Find the dimple and drill a pilot hole first, followed by a 1/2-inch hole.
8 Now it’s time to add the holes needed to run the wiring from the door to the fuse block

9 You need to drill holes in the kick panel area as well. This area will be double-walled, so drill slowly to prevent snapping your bits.
9 You need to drill holes in the kick panel area as well. This area will be double-walled
10 Now the two wires that run between the control box and the actuators can be threaded though the provided doorjamb boot and the new holes you drilled.
10 Now the two wires that run between the control box and the actuators can be threaded t
11 Follow the detailed instructions and use the provided solderless connectors to wire the actuators. Use a few zip ties to secure the wire to the door so it won’t find its way into the window assembly. Then do the other door.
11 Follow the detailed instructions and use the provided solderless connectors to wire th

12 With the wires hooked up on one end, the other end, which goes into the interior, can be dealt with. There are three wires that need to be hooked to ground, and the front bolt on the parking brake assembly is a great spot for that ground.
12 With the wires hooked up on one end, the other end, which goes into the interior, can
13 The power wires need to be tapped into the fuse block. Three of the wires are terminated together and should be plugged into the empty BAT terminal. The yellow wire needs to be plugged into the LAMPS spade; this will engage the parking light circuit and flash the lights when you hit the button giving you visual confirmation.
13 The power wires need to be tapped into the fuse block. Three of the wires are terminat
14 Now all that is left to do is plug in the prewired connection into the control module, tuck it up under the dash, and secure it with a few zip ties. There is a small black wire coming off the module. That is the antenna for the system, so make sure it’s stretched out as straight as possible under the dash for best performance. With that done, you can test the system. If everything checks out, reassemble the interior and enjoy your new keyless entry system.
14 Now all that is left to do is plug in the prewired connection into the control module,