Hi guys, how do you get the latch rods removed from the actaul latches located on the top and bottom of the door? I have all the screws out and it looks like the rods that go from the handle are attached to the latch with rivits. The ends of the rods are sloted but not in a way that allows for the rod to slide off...as I can see. I hate to break them. Please help. Thanks -Ed

 

In the last few days there's been a couple of panel truck specific questions and I don't have my panel handy to answer them. 51panelman should be by soon with some input, he lives in sunny San Jose, I'm in snow bound Wisconsin and my trucks are in winter storage.

Anyways, here's what in the shop manual, I thought maybe it'll help you out:

 

Hello from sunny San Jose.

Last time I had to remove the latching mechanism I ended up cutting the door in order to remove everything as one piece. Don't worry, the doors were complete junk.

I would follow what Bob has posted to see if that works. If it doesn't, then drill out the rivent and replace with a bolt/nut afterwards.

 

Whataheck is the cam link and how do you get to the shoulder screw? I thought I had all the screws out that I could could find, but maybe I missed some?? If I could get them freed up and working again I would just slap it all back together and not worry about getting it out.

 

I have an extra set of doors in my shop so I took them apart to see how it's done. I was able to get the innards out in about 15 minutes. The hardest part was jiggling the upper assembly in the right position so it would slide out of the upper opening. Once I found the right position it just slid right out.

I first removed all the screws holding the panels in, top, center and bottom, and the door latch from the outside. I don't have a lock on mine but if you have one you'll have to remover that too.



You have to remove the large headed bolt that holds the two rods together. That's what they're referring to as the "cam link shoulder bolt". It holds the "cam link" to the bottom rod.





Make sure all the bolts are out of the door, top, middle and bottom plates. Twist and jibble the upper rod around until you can pull the entire assembly out the top.

 

Thanks so much. Not many people who would go to the trouble of tearing a door apart to show some guy how its done. You Rock!!!

 

I guess I'll just have to tell my wife all my "junk" isn't useless.

Good luck, if you have any more questions just ask.

Please post your location in the upper right hand corner. It helps to know where a person lives in the case you need something and some one is close by.

 

See, Bob, you don't have to be in sunny San Jose in order to show someone how to remove the latch mechanism.

 

It's just a good thing I'm a parts hoarder, I think I have two of almost everything, you never know when you'll need them.

It was bit of hassle getting it all back together. There's not a lot of room to work through the opening. The trick is to have a couple of long screw drivers and needle nose pliers. Also, leave the door handle off until you have everything else bolted up, you'll need to stick you finger and screwdriver up through the hole to maneuver the mechanisms around.

 

Do you have or knowledge of any running boards for "Panel truck" '51


Thanks. the good pic of rear door mech. I was able to put mine back together using your pic. after 10 + years after it was taken apart for dipping.

 

Ilya Smolyanitsky modelking2000@hotmail.com had a few sets ranging from $150 to $300 a set. Some were from a panel and some were from stake rack big trucks. Bob can give you all the info on how to cut the notch to make the short boards fit. I also found a place that was repop them but for the life of me I can't find it again. I will keep looking. thought I saw them on ebay, but who knows.

 

Thanks for the referral!

I have a few sets left. However, they'll need some straightening. I also have two pairs of NOS, but I think I'll keep them for my trucks.

From a Panel.






From a cab only (flatbed, dump bed, etc) truck. Will fit the Panel truck, but will need a notch cut out at rear (see pictures above for the notch).






I have more detailed photos of each set.

 

Boy this post will come in handy for sure. My best friend just bought a 56 panel and all we need to find now is the top rear right latch. There is a guy sending us the rod but he had sold the latch long ago.
Any and all help would be very welcome
Thanks