Better Latches?

[dieselcruiserhead]

I have seen a couple of the threads with latch replacements. Chuck's, Buckroseu's from his FJ45 thread...

I was wondering if we could get a good thread on latches. I imagine there will be quite a bit of fab... Could people maybe post up where they got the latches, which handles they used, any other good info?

Thanks as always!

 

[OinkOinker]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-...ety/76835-pig-chebby-avalanche-trim-=-19.html

LC hamma has used the bearclaw style latches, but im sure you prolly already know that. here is the url anyways, about post #548 he starts with the latches

 

[LC_Hamma]

Don't know where to start on the info here, but firstly, I'd take a hard look at the stock latch assembly cloesly & notice how many moving parts there are & how they are configured. After I made the comparo, I decided to keep mine as simple as I could & NOT use the stock door handles. I won't get into the handles here...... I didn't take into account the door locks (key & pull at top). The Bearclaws have a provision for the top but dunno about the keyed area. IMO, I'd only do this mod if my stock latches were a huge PITA, rusted up, or...... It's a labor intensive mod - alot of measuring. If ya'll have any q's, I'll do my best to answer about my experiences w/ the Claws ;p

<edit>
I'll see if I can find my receipts tonight & post up, but the latches & striker kit can be bought either off Ebay or an online hotrod shop. I don't wanna scare anyone off by the "labor intensive" part. I guess I grouped the actual latch install w/ the massive door mods I made, but overall the latches aren't *that difficult. The Claws may not be a good choice if you want a keyed lock as all the handles would activate once you turned the key - too much friction turning the key itself.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

thanks a ton Chuck... I figured it was really labor intensive... I'll have to look at my stock more closely. I like the handles and lock mechanism of course