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Here's a quick fix if you're having door latch problems.
My '56 would only latch close one out of 6 times on the passenger side. I thought I was going to need to swap over to a bear claw system. Turns out there is one part that wears out that's also the easiest to replace, but I hadn't seen anyone really mention it, so here we are.
New Chrome one from Mid-fifty on the left, old one on the right. That channel should not be there. It was caused by 60 years of wear and tear.
Three bolts later and now my door holds solid each and every time.
The drivers side one was actually thinner from the factory and the PO had used spacers to push it out more and screws to try to hold it all together funky.
Quick and easy fix and sure beats swapping over to a bear claw system!
I was wondering if the stainless would fix that problem. Since I'm keeping my Truck stock, would this change out put me on course of being on the "Dark Side" Thanks for sharing your findings
Seriously, before I fixed up my truck in 1999 I bought replacement striker plates (yes they were chrome!) from a repop place. It might have been Carpenter as he was in on this business early. This was before eBay and the internet. They didn't last real long.
I believe the pot metal originals last longer. I think because the metal is softer while the chrome metal is harder. Just my biased observation! But if your doors are aligned with the jambs correctly it might not matter...
Thanks for sharing your findings
