I'm looking for a couple of these latches. Can any point me to the donner vehicles that used these for the trunks.
Ax, I know you refered to them in FF56 post what ya think. Even if you can tell me where you found them on epay.
Thanks
Mike

 

Mike,
I know that GM used tehm in most big luxury cars starting back in the 70's, but th enicer compact units started in the early 80's. The could be found on all of the bigger cars, Cadillacs, Buicks, Pontiac Bonneville's etc. both front FWD and RWD. I don't have any experience with the Ford units or what models to look on.

Good luck with it
Bobby

 

Bobby,
Thanks for the info, the latches you refer to, are they the ones that grab the lid then pull it down slowly the last few inches or so ?

Thanks
Mike

 

Mike,

Yes, thats how they work. the trunk lid just has a smiple "u" shaped piece, the latch mechanism is mounted to the car body and grabs hold of the catch and pulls the trunk lid the last couple of inches. I think GM refers to it as an "electric trunk pull down motor"
I don't have any experience with other makes but I'm sure Ford/Lincoln, Jaguar, Mopars, etc all have something similar.

Can't wait to see what you come up with
Bobby

 

Thanks Bobby,
I'm planning on using it on my hood and also for my bed cover when I get that far.

Thanks
Mike

 

Mike,

Are you going to mount in on the firewall? Is there room to mount it inside, under the dash, and have an access hole for the actual latch to come through?

I was wrong about the latch. The pull down motor has the simple "U" shaped piece on the top of it. That actuall latching part is mounted on the trunk lid. It is basically a standard key activated latch with an electric solenoid atached to it so you can open it from the drivers seat.

oops
Bobby

 

I haven't actually figured out how I will mount it, firewall or under dash, I'll know beter when I have one in my hand to look at.
I do like the thought of the under dash with maybe a access hole through the top of firewall/cowl.
Mike

 

With a nice little rubber ''o'' ring/seal around the hole

 

Yup, sounds like a plan. Now if only I was sure where to find one of these things.

Mike

 

I sold many of those deck lid pull down motors and actuators when I worked for Buick a long time ago.

You wouldn't believe how many owners/friends would slam down the deck lid and "oh boy"!

I wonder if you could find them in the auto salvage yards?

mt54, be sure and post some progress pics, if you can.

 

my 88 lincoln mark vii has one

 

My 95 Fleeetwood and 96 Seville has them. My 93 De Ville has it also. Hard to find a Cadmobile without one!

 

Well I got my latches. They call them trunk pull down latches at the jund yards here.
found them on Cadys and Crown Vics. I got 4 of them, told them at check out that at least two of them might work. $10. for all. and they all work great.
Lucky Day
Thanks for all your help.
Mike

 

4 for 10 bucks? What a deal! Junk yards, excuse me, parts recycling centers, here charge $1 admission to the yard, that is per person so if you take 2 guys with you to help, they pay too. I guess that's better than not being able to go in at all.