We love seeing our Altman Easy Latches used in everything from daily drivers to full-blown show stoppers. But it’s always especially fun when a customer calls us and says:
“I think I can make it fit…”
That was the case with our customer, Dennis.
Dennis called and asked if our Altman Easy Latch kit for 1937–1939 Ford Cars would work in his 1936 Ford. We explained that we had never test-fitted the kit in a ’36 and, based on our research, there were enough differences between the doors that we couldn’t tell him the kit would fit.
Dennis wasn’t too worried about that.
He thought he could make it work.
And he did.
Even better, Dennis documented the installation, took photos along the way, and sent everything to us afterward. I’ve always said we have one of the best customer bases out there, and this is a perfect example of why.
Dennis figured that if another 1936 Ford owner wanted to upgrade the original door latches, what he learned might save them some time and give them a good starting point.
So, with his permission, here’s how Dennis adapted our Altman Easy Latch for 1937–39 Ford Cars to fit his 1936 Ford.
Please note: This is a customer-designed modification. Trique Manufacturing has not developed or test-fitted this kit as a direct-fit application for the 1936 Ford. This installation requires cutting, welding, fabrication, and modification of both the vehicle and components supplied with the kit.
Creating a New Mounting Surface
Dennis started by identifying an area of the door where the surrounding flat planes were on the same level.
Because the 1936 door did not provide the same mounting surface as the later cars, his plan was to remove this section and replace it with a new piece of flat sheet metal. This would give him a clean, flat mounting surface for the Altman Easy Latch installation plate.
Making the Door Cutout
Next, Dennis used the template supplied with the Altman Easy Latch kit to mark the required cutout at the door jamb.
He connected this opening to the larger section he had already marked and then cut out the entire area.
At this point, he had removed the portion of the original door that prevented the later-model installation plate from sitting properly.
Fabricating the Flat Mounting Area
Dennis then fabricated a piece of sheet metal to fit the opening and welded it into the door.
This created the flat mounting plane needed for the Altman Easy Latch installation plate.
Once the new metal was welded in and finished, he could continue laying out the latch opening using the template supplied with the kit.
Modifying the Interior Handle Strap
The mounting area wasn’t the only difference between the 1936 Ford and the 1937–39 cars.
Another significant difference was the location and shape of the interior handle linkage.
The interior handle strap supplied with our 1937–39 kit is mostly straight. The original channel inside Dennis’s 1936 door required considerably more curvature.
Rather than trying to redesign the entire linkage, Dennis carefully bent the supplied strap to follow the shape of the original channel in the 1936 door shell.
Once he had the shape where he wanted it, he marked and cut an access opening that allowed the strap to enter the door and connect to the Altman Easy Latch.
The finished result looks remarkably natural — almost like it was designed to be there.
Installing the Altman Easy Latch
With the door modified, the new mounting surface fabricated, and the interior handle strap reshaped, Dennis could move on to installing the latch using the standard instructions supplied with the kit.
What started as a kit designed for a later Ford was now successfully installed and operating in his 1936.
Finishing It Off With Locking Exterior Handles
Dennis added one more nice touch to finish the installation.
He used a pair of 1934 Ford-style exterior door handles from Bob Drake that incorporate a key lock into the handle.
The combination gave him the upgraded operation of the Altman Easy Latch while maintaining a traditional appearance that fits the character of the car.
Sometimes “I Think I Can Make It Fit” Works Out Pretty Well
We want to thank Dennis not only for choosing Altman Easy Latches for his project, but also for taking the time to photograph the installation and share what he learned.
This is exactly the kind of thing we love about the hot rod and restoration community. Someone runs into a problem, figures out a solution, and then passes that information along to make the next guy’s project a little easier.
So, if you have a 1936 Ford and have been wondering whether an Altman Easy Latch conversion is possible, Dennis has proven that with some fabrication work, it certainly can be done.
And if you ever call us and say…
“I think I can make it fit…”
We’re definitely going to want to see the pictures when you’re finished.