Question on door latches
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Question on door latches
There's no stupid questions (only stupid people - so here I am)
"Everybody" talks about these bear claw latches now-a-days (Jees that sounded old....and I'm not even 50).
I had beleived that nobody made the parts to rebuild the stock door latches (the guts that is, not the handles) of the 53-56 door latches but I discovered today that at least one somebody does.
Anyway, assuming I want to replace my outer handles with something flush fitting like the Mazda Miata handles or any other number of alternatives - do I want/need to go with bear claw mechanisms?
Why?
What's so great about them?
Ya aren't gonna know if'n ya don't ask, right?
Thanks,
"Everybody" talks about these bear claw latches now-a-days (Jees that sounded old....and I'm not even 50).
I had beleived that nobody made the parts to rebuild the stock door latches (the guts that is, not the handles) of the 53-56 door latches but I discovered today that at least one somebody does.
Anyway, assuming I want to replace my outer handles with something flush fitting like the Mazda Miata handles or any other number of alternatives - do I want/need to go with bear claw mechanisms?
Why?
What's so great about them?
Ya aren't gonna know if'n ya don't ask, right?
Thanks,
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Question on door latches
RMF
The bear claw latches are popular for a couple reasons I am aware of. They are pretty universal and easy to install. The actuating levers are universal in design and pretty easy to fab cables or linkage for custom applications. They work well when you shave the handles and use power openers. They also latch securely and seem safe to me.
I put the handles back on my truck. Reverting back to stock is not so simple. I am not at all familiar with the Miata handle mechanics so I can't tell you how well a bear claw would work with them. Hope this helped some.
'fenders
The bear claw latches are popular for a couple reasons I am aware of. They are pretty universal and easy to install. The actuating levers are universal in design and pretty easy to fab cables or linkage for custom applications. They work well when you shave the handles and use power openers. They also latch securely and seem safe to me.
I put the handles back on my truck. Reverting back to stock is not so simple. I am not at all familiar with the Miata handle mechanics so I can't tell you how well a bear claw would work with them. Hope this helped some.
'fenders
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 156
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From: Pflugerville
Question on door latches
There are never stupid questions. I was on the same boat some years back and asked the same question.
Bear claw latches in my opinion are easier to operate if you shave your door handles, if thats the way you want to go. If not then the originals are okay, I have bear claw latches becasue I shaved my door handles and open my door with a remote control. Originals are okay if they are still operable.
Bear claw latches in my opinion are easier to operate if you shave your door handles, if thats the way you want to go. If not then the originals are okay, I have bear claw latches becasue I shaved my door handles and open my door with a remote control. Originals are okay if they are still operable.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Question on door latches
Spacecoast
Most bear claw latches have an L shaped linkage that is easy to hook an emergency linkage wire so you can get to it from the bottom of the door. Sound like your truck is never really locked? You're right. Also, the cheaper shaving kits are just that, CHEAP. It costs a lot of money to do it right with quality latches, poppers and electronics. No door handles is one of those trendy things you could regret later. I know a lot of people love the look but there is no easy path back to stock.
'fenders
Most bear claw latches have an L shaped linkage that is easy to hook an emergency linkage wire so you can get to it from the bottom of the door. Sound like your truck is never really locked? You're right. Also, the cheaper shaving kits are just that, CHEAP. It costs a lot of money to do it right with quality latches, poppers and electronics. No door handles is one of those trendy things you could regret later. I know a lot of people love the look but there is no easy path back to stock.
'fenders
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,921
Likes: 1,052
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Question on door latches
RMF,
what everyone told is true...
bear claws are easy to operate, you don't need 100# pull solonoids to operate them.
They are easy to install, they even come with install plates that you can weld in place and they latch securely. I can remember doors coming open during a drive or around a curve in lots of old cars.
They are relatively inexpensive. I haven't priced the rebuilt stock latches but I bet they are more than the bear claws
I used them with shaved handles and solonoids ... you can see what is involved in an a started article on my page ...here's a link
http://jniolon.clubfte.com/bearclawlatches/installingbearclawlatches.html
hope that's of some use...
john
what everyone told is true...
bear claws are easy to operate, you don't need 100# pull solonoids to operate them.
They are easy to install, they even come with install plates that you can weld in place and they latch securely. I can remember doors coming open during a drive or around a curve in lots of old cars.
They are relatively inexpensive. I haven't priced the rebuilt stock latches but I bet they are more than the bear claws
I used them with shaved handles and solonoids ... you can see what is involved in an a started article on my page ...here's a link
http://jniolon.clubfte.com/bearclawlatches/installingbearclawlatches.html
hope that's of some use...
john
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Pflugerville
Question on door latches
To follow up i used Johns web page intructions to the tee. Works out great.
Rey
Rey
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Question on door latches
'fenders, John, et all,
Thanks,
I have no intention of doing the shaved door handles thing. When it's twenty below and the doors are iced up.....
Not sure how the Miata , etc handles operate and it'll be a while before I need to really get into this so I guess I'll just file it away for now. Figure out later whether later flush handles will hook up to the the original guts or if I'll need to go to the bear claw guts.
But thanks for the input.
Thanks,
I have no intention of doing the shaved door handles thing. When it's twenty below and the doors are iced up.....
Not sure how the Miata , etc handles operate and it'll be a while before I need to really get into this so I guess I'll just file it away for now. Figure out later whether later flush handles will hook up to the the original guts or if I'll need to go to the bear claw guts.
But thanks for the input.
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Question on door latches
"Space coast" You asked about jumping your battery. Maybe this will help. I build a 40 Ford p.u. Its a pro-street truck with revered doors,shaved handles,and chopped. What I did was relocated the battery in the frame. I build a homemade battery box for a larger battery. Then used Nascar race car battery connectors and located them behind the rear lisence plate,for a easy jump,in case needed. Also I used a Nascar battery cutoff switch just in case.Some one liked my pickup more then I do and wanted to releve me of it. I always heard if the want it enough they will get it. But why make it easy for them. I also installed A brake lock switch. I guess they still could dag it up on a rollback truck. I don't think alarms work that great,who pays attention to them.
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