my first scare
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 2
From: Winters Ca
I finally installed the Altman kit in my sons 51 and it is by far the best simple mod we have done. Now I never had problems with the doors popping open but you had to slam the cr@p out of the passenger side to get it to latch all the way. It was adjusted correctly but with new seals and what not it just did not want to grab the second catch. Now with the claws in place it is a one finger close every time and the are very secure. I also added 3 point seat belts just in case that steel dash suddenly starts moving our face real fast!
These old trucks are great but we still need to be smart enough to stay safe. I could not live with my self if my lack of desire to build a safe truck caused an injury that was preventable.
Kevin
LFD Inc.
These old trucks are great but we still need to be smart enough to stay safe. I could not live with my self if my lack of desire to build a safe truck caused an injury that was preventable.
Kevin
LFD Inc.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 48
From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)
Your not alone, I've had it happened too. I also want to install the Altman Latches in mine, but until then I tightened up all my bolts (body to frame and also body to body). This helped out great as it hasn't happened anymore but I will still do the Altman latches.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 4
From: Southern SC.
SEAT BELTS will help reduce the scare factor!! My brother's 57 Chubby did that even after new latches. he finally installed seat belts and it does make you feel a little more secure. Then he got the doors adjusted correctly after about 5 tries and it worked.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
The door latches were a sketchy design even back in the day, and even worse when they got a little wear on them or out of alignment, that's why Ford changed the design in 56. The 56 latches were better but still not as good as today's latches. Most all latches used in the past 20 years are the "bearclaw" type, Altman didn't invent them. Late model latches from the U=pull can be adapted and you can even get electrically locking and unlocking ones (be sure to get all the switches!) for next to nothing.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 48
From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)
The door latches were a sketchy design even back in the day, and even worse when they got a little wear on them or out of alignment, that's why Ford changed the design in 56. The 56 latches were better but still not as good as today's latches. Most all latches used in the past 20 years are the "bearclaw" type, Altman didn't invent them. Late model latches from the U=pull can be adapted and you can even get electrically locking and unlocking ones (be sure to get all the switches!) for next to nothing.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I've not taken apart any late model latches to see what would be needed to activate them with the stock handles. But it shouldn't be too difficult. I'd grab a couple sets from the bone yard and start playing with them to see exactly how they work (I'd expect the earlier and cheaper the donor vehicle the easier it would be to adapt. Look for ones with outside push button handles rather than pull out/up ones) . My latches had been replaced with new ones by the PO, I modified them to use Miata inside handles and lock buttons and power remote locks with the original outside handles and key locks.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 2
From: Winters Ca
One thing to keep in mind is on the 48-52 F1's there is not very much room to mount the latches because of the window rail to door jamb clearance. I ended up welding in the Altman mounting plates for a cleaner look but had a hell of a time getting the thin bear claw latches in and had to disassemble the latches and reassemble then in place to get it to work. Just something to think about.
Kevin
LFD Inc.
Kevin
LFD Inc.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 48
From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)
One thing to keep in mind is on the 48-52 F1's there is not very much room to mount the latches because of the window rail to door jamb clearance. I ended up welding in the Altman mounting plates for a cleaner look but had a hell of a time getting the thin bear claw latches in and had to disassemble the latches and reassemble then in place to get it to work. Just something to think about.
Kevin
LFD Inc.
Kevin
LFD Inc.
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