Bear Claw latches

[stevehsd]

I saw many of these at the Pleasanton swap meet. I guess I need to buy some.
What should I look for? What should I pay? Does anyone have a how to? They sound like a must have!

[Hart_Rod]

http://www.chuckthetruck.com/page23.html

http://www.southernrods.com/categori...duct-1304.html

You can probably google some more stuff.

[youngrodder]

I installed some bear claw latches last summer. I followed the how to from H.A.M.B. It was prety straight forward.

The link to the how to is the following:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=77555

Good luck
Marc

[Daniel U]

If you don't mind your door popping open when you hit a bump in the road, it's a waste of time and money. However, if you want to feel safe cruising down the road with the security of knowing your doors will stay latched, propbably the best thing since sliced bread! Worth every penny. The old style door latches are usually worn out, not to mention unsafe at best. When my doors get painted and hung, I'll post some new pics.

[Houston54]

I installed the small autoloc units on my 54 last year. Very happy with them.
Here is how I did it.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...64&uid=2902753

[Hart_Rod]

I'd pay a good penny for a setup that would bolt into the stock locations. Mine is already painted and I haven't got aggravated enough to do the install, .

[dwcsr]

One thing to think about is the latch doesn't have to be in the door. It can be on the jam if you use power actuators and poppers. Its a cleaner look when the door is open but only works if you are using power actuators. You can get the latch with that built in or as a seperate mechanism connected by a rod.

[cajundragger]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

One thing to think about is the latch doesn't have to be in the door. It can be on the jam if you use power actuators and poppers. Its a cleaner look when the door is open but only works if you are using power actuators. You can get the latch with that built in or as a seperate mechanism connected by a rod.

thats what Im doing. Latch in the jam, striker in the door. Im using the small autoloc units with the built in electric solinoid...

only reason for doing this is its cleaner, and I dont want any wires in my doors...

[dwcsr]

Take some pictures! Are you using the installation kit with the claws? It covers up some of the works when you put it in the door sile.

[cajundragger]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

Take some pictures! Are you using the installation kit with the claws? It covers up some of the works when you put it in the door sile.

the bent pieces of metal that have the holes and everything...if so then yes

[55ChevyPU]

I made 2 panels with the same exact shape as the original latches plates for the 55' with bear claw latches instead of the old latch system. I wanted to be able to remove the panels. It works really well and had no welding involved although I did have to cut out a bit of the door to make room for the bear claw latches. Im going to chrome the plates when I send in the rest of my stuff to get chromed.