When my van was built over 30 years the door handles were shaved but the key lock was left in place and to open the door you turn the key and pull. I want to remove this and install electric solenoids with door poppers. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good brand that works well, easy to install, etc.
Here is what I have now:

My question to you is how do you open the doors when the battery dies?

You don't..you just stand there and pout.

I have seen two types (for opening the door)....one is an "emergency cable" you pull hidden under the van. The other is a "battery cable connection" that goes up under the hood and can be touched to a battery (as small as a 9 volt) to open the door. (I assume you have to keep a spare 9 vole battery under the hood...lol).
Then again....if the battery dies, you aren't going anywhere without a jump and with a jump the doors will open.

In my case, the hood is inside.

I was thinking of mounting a jump plug type thing some where on the underside. If my battery is dead - I'll need a jump anyway.

Lee, here is a company that I bought door poppers from and they work great, real heavy duty. They also have all the accessory hardware so its a great place to see all options you have. Wastons Street Works

Kinda like this product, clicky .....But use it the other way around, I want to get jumped, not be jumpin.... (slight modification required, you get the idea)

There's the option of dual batteries and having a jumper wire or if they're both under the hood jump starting yourself, that's what I do. A back up cable on the door latch is the best idea to gain entry because your jumper cables will be in the van I'm sure. Homebrew why would you have to modify your idea just hard wire the eyelet end to your battery and keep the clamps in your van and plug them in when you need them.

Call Summit or Jegs

Years ago I used power door lock solenoids since I was working as a body man and they were typically available to me for free. Back then we used a lot of used doors so you ended up with extra parts. The kit suggested by Munz looks pretty good.