I installed these on my 56 F100 which has Kindig handles. Easy installation.
1953-1956 Ford F-100 Truck Door Latches - Altman Easy Latch™
paul
like a bank vault door
The bear claw latch kit is very well designed for my specific 1948 Chevy 3100 and it is very well built. Both sides went in easily and latched properly on the first try...thats the really good news. Really great news in fact! ZERO RATTLES!
The bad news is the instructions are poor...really poor. They cause you to take apart the entire innards of the door's window scissor crank and door latch if you follow the first paragraph.
You really only need to remove the interior door levers and trim cover. That exposes the scissor lift. You do need to remove the glass window... it's held by three 1/4 x 20 button heads, on the upper scissor track. You'll need to remove the trim / frame around the glass and the black fuzzy window slide material to hoist the window out.
There is one window track channel held by 3 screws on the inside of the door on the latch side that needs to have a "bump" ground off for clearance.
Now, trace your template and cut your odd shape hole in your door. Use the curved triangle edge as your guide...don't over cut!
Do NOT disassemble the bear claw latch from the trim plate...no need TO TAKE THE 3 SCREWS OUT AT ALL! ...just place it in your de burred odd shape hole AND MAKE SURE THE 2 HOLES IN THE DOOR EXACTLY MATCH THE TWO COUNTER SUNK HOLES IN THE BEAR CLAW LATCH...
AND I MEAN EXACTLY.
You may need to open up the odd shape hole to get the two flat head screw holes in their trim plate to match EXACTLY the ones in the door.
Now bolt it into place using just these 2 flat head bolt holes for exact alignment.
The two 1/4" holes are ready for you to drill in place, using the plate as a drill thru templet. Drill those 2 holes and use the 2 button head screws to fasten the oversize plate to the door. The 1" hole for access to the inside door pull handle can be tricky.
I marked mine, removed the 4 screws I just put in, removed the entire latch, and drilled the hole with a 7/8" step drill. This avoids damaging the latch with the step drill
De burr that, and re assemble the 4 bolts nice and tight, starting with the two flat heads for best alignment.
Remove your old catch, install the new one with the bear stud "UP" on each door.
If the door closed before, it is still in align., and will close and latch just fine..really simple
I lubed the new latch once it was in place which made it more pleasant to work around and it's easy to lube in the door.
Grind the nub off the window track, put it back on with 3 sheet metal screws.
Cut your 1.25: x 1.25" tie rod hole and de burr, Install the tie rod with the #8 nylock nuts and button head facing the cab.
You are done
The first latch took 2 days, the second latch took less then 1.
DO NOT REMOVE OR DISASSEMBLE THE SCISSOR WINDOW LIFT OR THE DOOR LATCH PIVOT. IF IT DROPS INTO THE DOOR OPENING, ITS A SOB TO REINSTALL BLIND
ITS A GREAT KIT, BIG IMPROVEMENT, ZERO RATTLES
1947-1951 Chevy Truck Door Latches - Altman Easy Latch™
Randie
Perfect addition to their lock
Optional Lock Bag Altman Easy Latch™ for 1952-1966 Chevy - OLB-101
Steve P.
Altman Easy Latch
I just got finished installing the Altman Easy Latch Factory Long Panel kit on my 1955 Chevy truck. What a difference. Like the name Easy, it is easy to install, the instructions are easy to follow, and the doors latch with ease. No more slamming the doors. Cant wait until the power door lock kit is available. Chris has been awesome. Thanks
1955-1959 Chevy Truck Door Latches - Altman Easy Latch™
