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nosto · 12-21-2004, 01:54 PM

I've been daily driving like this for 2 year now and am almost used to it.

I bought some 35 lb-pull solenoids and mounted them about 6" below the latch. Welded a washer to release arm and looped cable through. Worked great.....until I aligned the door to the cab and added a new door gasket. Now the thing's so tight (yeah, and the door is really hard to close, and I have small dents in the sheet metal where the handles used to be from having to slam the doors shut), the solenoid won't unlock it unless I lean on the door a bit.

Now I'm experimenting a bit by moving the solenoid to the bottom-middle of the door and added a ~ 2:1 'L' shaped lever to give me some mechanical advantage (something XXL suggested to me a few years back.). Still doesn't pop, but I'm still playing with cable tension.

I'm thinkin' of investing in new door latches, these old ones are really sloppy! Still might not solve the problem, though.

12-21-2004, 01:54 PM	#25
nosto Flamin' Bass Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Galloway, NJ, US Posts: 315	I've been daily driving like this for 2 year now and am almost used to it. I bought some 35 lb-pull solenoids and mounted them about 6" below the latch. Welded a washer to release arm and looped cable through. Worked great.....until I aligned the door to the cab and added a new door gasket. Now the thing's so tight (yeah, and the door is really hard to close, and I have small dents in the sheet metal where the handles used to be from having to slam the doors shut), the solenoid won't unlock it unless I lean on the door a bit. Now I'm experimenting a bit by moving the solenoid to the bottom-middle of the door and added a ~ 2:1 'L' shaped lever to give me some mechanical advantage (something XXL suggested to me a few years back.). Still doesn't pop, but I'm still playing with cable tension. I'm thinkin' of investing in new door latches, these old ones are really sloppy! Still might not solve the problem, though. Attached Images __________________ Rick Olson /nosto/ Galloway, NJ Pics : http://community.webshots.com/user/nosto53 1972 Triumph TR6 - full resto, now with a Toyota 5-speed 1975 F**D F-100 - rusty, but reliable 1982 HD XLH-1000 1967 C-10, shortstep, 350/M21 4spd, nitrogen tank fills fast bags on 4 corners, Toyo 255/45X20s on American Eagle 221 20X8s, shaved locks and handles, antenna, fuel filler, tiny C-notch, rear fuel tank, long headers, Edelbrock, worn 600 Holley, Checkmate flush hard cover, rear pan, custom LED taillights - painted it, too! But don't like it so I'm gonna do it again!!