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04-24-2014, 03:42 PM | #1 |
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What size Bear Claws?
I'm trying to get some ideas together for the summer projects on my '56 and one thing I'd like to do is add bear claw latches to the doors (non-electric).
Question is, what size should I use- small, reg, or large? Thanks, Bill |
04-24-2014, 05:34 PM | #2 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
I am using large, why skimp and have to do it twice.
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04-24-2014, 06:31 PM | #3 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
How well do they fit? I'd like to do as little cutting of the door panel covers as possible!
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04-24-2014, 07:19 PM | #4 | |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Quote:
Sorry Dan but there is no way I would pay over 350 bucks for those latches. I know a lot of people would but that is money I can spend somewhere else |
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04-24-2014, 07:03 PM | #5 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Buy these:
http://www.triquemfg.com/Altman-Easy...ck-p/ael05.htm Not cheap but MADE for our TF trucks and require the minimum cutting and no fabrication (no "make it work")
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'55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda! |
04-25-2014, 10:16 PM | #6 | |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Quote:
Last edited by blue57; 04-25-2014 at 10:23 PM. |
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04-24-2014, 07:22 PM | #7 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Don't have to be sorry to me. We all work within our real or perceived abilities. I saved a little longer so I'd hopefully have no regrets after spending $50 AND the time to TRY to make them work like I knew these WOULD work.
It's all good. We each do things our own way. As long as mine pleases me and yours pleases you!
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'55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda! |
04-24-2014, 07:26 PM | #8 | |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Quote:
I meant no offense but the sticker price was very shocking to me, and if you took offense than I do apologize for having foot in mouth disease. I did not know you bought them, I don't come here to offend anyone. Last edited by Kabwe; 04-24-2014 at 08:09 PM. |
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04-24-2014, 11:31 PM | #9 | |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Quote:
I'm definitely NOT offended and never thought you were trying to offend me. We are cool, always. You're a very talented guy and it seems not all that intimidated by something you've not done before- for example changing out the roof on your cab - something I need to do but am afraid of EFFING UP my cab in the process. I "get" being that way and I'm even much like that as far as being willing to try almost anything - when it comes to construction, but NOT so when it comes to metal fabrication. I was always a "wood guy" not a "metal guy" as a kid. In recent years I've bought a couple grinders and a small but good mig machine, gas, etc. But I admit I'm still not very "good" at it. I held off buying the Trique kit a long time for the same money reason then finally just thought, "You're never gonna "get around" to buying generic latches and figuring out how to modify your doors, just bite the bullet and buy a kit that fits." So I did and I'm happy. Sure, I'd rather have another 300 clams in my pocket but in the mean time I'd be having my doors open spontaneously at every other corner.
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'55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda! |
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04-24-2014, 08:16 PM | #10 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
I'd love to do the Trique kit, but the teacher's salary keeps the budget pretty tight
I agree with the "bigger/better" idea when it comes to safety- just want to make sure that the large ones will fit... Kabwe, where did you get your latches? |
04-24-2014, 08:23 PM | #11 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
http://www.autoloc.com/catalog/Bear-...Door-Latch-Set
They are 45 bucks. If you are installing them it will make it much easier if you also buy the installation kit. You don't need to but it would make life installation a breeze. |
04-24-2014, 08:24 PM | #12 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
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04-24-2014, 08:39 PM | #13 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Also check this out man its show what to hook up bear claws latches and door handles. Gives you some ideas. It also shows you the install.
http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/.../photo_15.html http://www.chuckthetruck.com/page23.html Last edited by Kabwe; 04-24-2014 at 08:48 PM. |
04-24-2014, 08:56 PM | #14 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
as your thinking about your old worn out stock latches that take 3 slams to latch or unlatch going down the road
one thing to consider is stock repops, that's what i have on truk work great, bolt in, no welding or fabrication (and you all know i like to fabricate )
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04-24-2014, 10:20 PM | #15 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
What latches are available for '51 (AD) trucks ?
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04-24-2014, 10:46 PM | #16 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Ogre,
I have thought about getting repops, but really want the safety of the claws, especially when Mrs. Yankee or any of the little Yanks are in the truck |
04-25-2014, 02:04 AM | #17 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
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04-24-2014, 11:04 PM | #18 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Yeah a buddy of mine went that route and he said he likes them fine. Well after his wife almost fell out the door when the original were worn out. He installed the stocked new ones and said they work just fine.
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04-25-2014, 07:59 AM | #19 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
I bought mine from Amazon and the install kits from Ebay, only spent $60 total and I am happy with the quality.
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04-25-2014, 08:45 AM | #20 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
My experience installing them in an AD was the smaller the better if you are placing the latch in the door due to the window vertical track running right through that area. If you mount them like Kabwe in the back corner of the cab then the size won’t matter.
I used the small on my truck and had to modify the window track to not interfere with the latch. I just used a kit from EBay. It was cheap and it was my first time doing such a thing and like anything else just read up on it before trying it. Not too bad of a job. Marc
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04-25-2014, 09:36 AM | #21 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
" If you mount them like Kabwe in the back corner of the cab then the size won’t matter."
Size ALWAYS matters. |
04-25-2014, 09:38 AM | #22 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Hey Bam. You mentioned a ways back that people used to cut out latches from junk yard vehicles. Why don't people do that anymore? I have a 4 door Buick roadmaster that I could salvage the latches out of. Mind learning me on latches?
Thanks!
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04-25-2014, 10:20 AM | #23 | |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Quote:
We use to cut them sheetmetal and take the latches out and you the donor sheetmetal as you would the installation kit. Weld them in on our trucks or cars. |
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04-25-2014, 10:32 AM | #24 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
Thanks Bam. One of the reasons I ask is, a buddy of my neighbor builds hot rods, dropped of a set of bear claw latches that he isn't going to use and wanted to know if I was interested. He likes using latches out of mid 90's honda civics. He had one of them on him too. He likes them better as they are much quieter and latch better. That's his story anyway. The latches he likes to use are the same style as in my roadmaster. I just question how to hook them up to the door handle inside and out on my 51 doors.
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1952 Canadian Chevy 1300 C4 IFS & D44 IRS 5.3 HO L33 My Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632938 |
04-25-2014, 02:37 PM | #25 |
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Re: What size Bear Claws?
I used latches from Hotrodlatches.com. the large set with install plates was $52 plus shipping. He is a USA guy and uses Trimark latches. Nice and stout. I installed them backwards with the pin in the door.
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