Saw this on another website, looks like a cool idea for adding electric door locks, even on a driver's door without the key lock.

These are for suicide doors, where a door coming open even a little bit is "a bad thing" to say the least. It's basically just a steel pin that is driven in or out (manually or electrically) into a mating hole in the jamb. So instead of trying to make the stock door latch assembly work with an electric operator, you could just add a dedicated door lock.

Suicide door safety pin kit Speed Lok 10 module

 

Yes, they do look like a good idea Ross. But I guess I better have the doors aligned the way I want them before drilling any holes.

 

Pete, are you making your doors into suicide doors? They will make good locks and it looks like they could work on any door.

 

I also like this kit which would work for our trucks, not limited to suicide door applications. I have been modifying original latches using the more conventional after market solonoid. I am still not satisfied with my mods, particularly to the passenger door locking latch. I am keeping the mechanical over ride of the key. That adds complexity. If I had not gone so far down the road I would seriously consider the above setup.

 

Years ago it was not uncommon to use simple hardware store residential door slide bolts attached to the inside of the door as an expediant safety latch on suicide doors. My concerned with those type latches pictured is they do TOO GOOD a job of keeping the door closed. In case of an accident it could easily jam which would make it difficult for emergency personnel to get inside to extract you and/or give aid or yourself to get out. Why not replace the latches with "bearclaw type" latches. If you don't want to spend money on the aftermarket variety, the salvage yard is full of them on virtually every vehicle made in the last 35 years, many are even equipped with electric locks.

 

AX, My interest is purely in being able to lock the truck, remotely, without the significant trickery needed to make the stock locks capable of that. I have yet to see bear claws that retain all the stock functions and handles and have remote capabilities.

 

No change to a suicide door although with the old design of the current latch you might consider that is what the current doors are. I think Ross's point was that they would work on our doors.