Altmans easy latch
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Altmans easy latch
Well I just got through installing the Altmans easy latch and will have to say that the door closes allmost as good as my other cars. Nice and firm sound when closing the door. The drawback of the latch is locking the door from the inside. It looks like my only choice is to install some door lock solenoids, with a remote control. The way the bear claw latch is made, you could get locked inside and the door handle would not work with the stock linkage. Looks to me that someone with some talent could come up with an easy way to solve this probem.
All in all I am happy with the new latches.
All in all I am happy with the new latches.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Westminster,Md
Seems to me you can install a lever/short handle on that kit, I installed a kit last year on my 55 and remember seeing that option somewhere..give them a call, check they"re site out.
You will have to notch your door panels out in the install area.
I agree, they beat the heck out of the old rotary style latches.
You will have to notch your door panels out in the install area.
I agree, they beat the heck out of the old rotary style latches.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
The altmans latch assembly lets you open the door from the outside and inside with the stock handles. All the mechanism is included with the kit. It also lets you lock the door from the outside. The only piece that I feel is missing (and doesn't come with the kit) is a way to lock or unlock the door from the inside.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Westminster,Md
Pappy, They will work fine with the outside handles (the push-button) even the key cylinder works nice... but ,inside the cab, the original locks"locked" , by moving the interior handledown...this feature will not work with the new Altmans assy. I guess if you wanted , you could try to rig something up....but the angles nec. are pretty extreme, the old lever moves fwd/backward on the rotary style and it"s a up/down motion on the Altmans.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 208
From: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
I was with a buddy today and we were talking about this very subject. Since the AL's actuate up and down couldnt you install a **** like the older cars used to have to unlock the door? You know one you pull up and push down to lock. Me and my friend were in an 04 Ch&vy Truck and he looked and thought he could install the type of manual lock release that is in it. One that slides back and forth. I would think though a person could work soemthing out to be able to unlock the vehicle from the inside which would be good in the event of a fire or something.
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,438
Likes: 8,178
From: northwestern Ontario
The altmans latch assembly lets you open the door from the outside and inside with the stock handles. All the mechanism is included with the kit. It also lets you lock the door from the outside. The only piece that I feel is missing (and doesn't come with the kit) is a way to lock or unlock the door from the inside.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento area
Don`t know much about the Bear Claw locks so am just wondering if a 90 degree
bell crank could be somehow installed to change horizontal movement to vertical movement?
Gary
bell crank could be somehow installed to change horizontal movement to vertical movement?
Gary
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Iv'e thought about a manual push type, the drawback to the bear claw latch is you would have to pull up to lock, down to unlock. kind of backwards.
I'll see what kind of pictures I have or will copy the install instructions.
I'll see what kind of pictures I have or will copy the install instructions.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Westminster,Md
WoW! ..Great ideas there guys..Why not?? Donalds standard door ****, with some custom bent rod, to Garys bellcrank,some more custom bent rod to the bearclaw assy! What a great idea!!
Ok!!..who"s drilling the top of they"re door first?? ..LoL!!...How fresh is your paint??
All my stuff is freshly epoxy primered..but I"m up to idea"s and game ..
For some reason, I forsee a bellcrank mount shaft.., that wants to reach out and scratch my elbow in proximity of my funnybone...maybe a buttonhead machinescrew, or something would work...let the brainstorming begin!!
LoL!!... I"mglad to hear I"m not the only one wondering about this...LoL!
I"ve got some time to burn the next couple of days , so I"ll give it a look and some thought...before I commence to drilling.... Keep it coming!!!
Ok!!..who"s drilling the top of they"re door first?? ..LoL!!...How fresh is your paint??
All my stuff is freshly epoxy primered..but I"m up to idea"s and game ..
For some reason, I forsee a bellcrank mount shaft.., that wants to reach out and scratch my elbow in proximity of my funnybone...maybe a buttonhead machinescrew, or something would work...let the brainstorming begin!!
LoL!!... I"mglad to hear I"m not the only one wondering about this...LoL!
I"ve got some time to burn the next couple of days , so I"ll give it a look and some thought...before I commence to drilling.... Keep it coming!!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 208
From: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
I was thinking of something like this:
***** Latch Releases Custom Cars Classic Hotrods Streetrods-Watsons StreetWorks
or like I said the old style lock release that pulls up and push down
https://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/...11AF57580&trk=
see part number 222NP
***** Latch Releases Custom Cars Classic Hotrods Streetrods-Watsons StreetWorks
or like I said the old style lock release that pulls up and push down
https://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/...11AF57580&trk=
see part number 222NP
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 3
From: okla
I am lost, are you saying that if someone locked the door from the ouside you could not open from the inside? The inside door handle works as long as the door is not locked from the outside with a key? Is that how you could get locked in? What am I missing here? Now if we are talking convience, I understand and I like Donalds idea. When I install mine I will not like having to walk all the way around to lock passenger door with the key. Joe
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
This really changes things for me. If I am reading this right, I would not be able to get into my truck and lock the doors while I am inside.
How would I lock my driver's door when I get out of the truck? There is no keyhole on that side.
How would I lock my driver's door when I get out of the truck? There is no keyhole on that side.