Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Ironhorse** · 01-08-2011, 12:25 PM

Since my '71 4x4 doesn't have the tool box option I don't have a lot of experience with trying to open with doing damage to the door. Have tried to "lift" the tabs which remain by hand with no luck. Like I said, don't want to get nasty and just pry bar it open. Not sure if the door has to much rust to be saved but will offer it on the parts board when I can get it from the truck. Any one with thoughts on how to accomplish this without destroying the door in the process?

Steve Hafner · 01-08-2011, 12:59 PM

Don't give up on the rust problem - mine is just about that bad too and it's getting restored. You just have to find a good body man like I did.

cdowns · 01-08-2011, 01:21 PM

i'd take a very thin stip of sheet metal and try sliding it into the top of the door and work it accross to where its being held closed
or if the box of the toolbox is shot i'd pungh a hole thru it and try accessing the door from the rear

**Classic Heartbeat** · 01-08-2011, 01:31 PM

There should be a "catch" behind where the handle is. It needs to be pulled down for the latch to releice the striker. If you cant see the little catch, then you need to find a way to pull the latch bolt down. (Mabe weld something to it?) (They latch a lot like a Glove Box.) WES

oldblue1968chevy · 01-08-2011, 02:22 PM

Theres only so many GM keys right? Couldnt you just try to find the key.?

never mind, i was lookiing at the blue box..lol

**jaros44sr** · 01-08-2011, 02:41 PM

oh no! another 'is it open yet thread'

Good luck, but I have no answers

69sixpackbee · 01-08-2011, 04:28 PM

By the looks of that door it wont be long before it opens itself!

LOL

matthew20061 · 01-08-2011, 05:29 PM

The previous owner of my other truck with the tool box deiced it might be a good idea to use a pry bar and bend the door out to see what was inside. All it did was bend the door... Then I came along used a small bar to move the locked lock out of the way and pulled the handle and messed with the handle a lot and it finally popped open. Never seen inside one but it had what looked like the factory jack and some ancient belts inside. Then we closed it and now it won't open! LOL

**Ironhorse** · 01-08-2011, 08:43 PM

Well tried using a couple putty knifes this afternoon with no luck. Slid them between the body and the door opening pushing down. There seems to be a very short "tab" protuding down thru the backside of the latch housing or where the latch "should" be. Will try that tomorrow using a pair of vise grips and "gently" pull. Gotta' get it open before I can try removing the door and box.

**special-K** · 01-08-2011, 09:03 PM

You probably can't grab the latch bolt through the lock hole. I'd sacrifice the fiberglass box and get to the backside of the door. More compartments survived than doors.

01-08-2011, 12:25 PM	#1
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,284	Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key Since my '71 4x4 doesn't have the tool box option I don't have a lot of experience with trying to open with doing damage to the door. Have tried to "lift" the tabs which remain by hand with no luck. Like I said, don't want to get nasty and just pry bar it open. Not sure if the door has to much rust to be saved but will offer it on the parts board when I can get it from the truck. Any one with thoughts on how to accomplish this without destroying the door in the process? Attached Images __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

01-08-2011, 12:59 PM	#2
Steve Hafner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northport, Alabama Posts: 1,353	Re: Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key Don't give up on the rust problem - mine is just about that bad too and it's getting restored. You just have to find a good body man like I did. Attached Images __________________ . . . . Life is short . . . we only have, right now. . . . . My 70 C-10's BUILD THREAD: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=475526

01-08-2011, 01:21 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key i'd take a very thin stip of sheet metal and try sliding it into the top of the door and work it accross to where its being held closed or if the box of the toolbox is shot i'd pungh a hole thru it and try accessing the door from the rear __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY Last edited by cdowns; 01-08-2011 at 01:23 PM.

01-08-2011, 01:31 PM	#4
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,768	Re: Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key There should be a "catch" behind where the handle is. It needs to be pulled down for the latch to releice the striker. If you cant see the little catch, then you need to find a way to pull the latch bolt down. (Mabe weld something to it?) (They latch a lot like a Glove Box.) WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys Last edited by Classic Heartbeat; 01-08-2011 at 01:31 PM.

01-08-2011, 02:22 PM	#5
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key Theres only so many GM keys right? Couldnt you just try to find the key.? never mind, i was lookiing at the blue box..lol __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

01-08-2011, 02:41 PM	#6
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,694	Re: Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key oh no! another 'is it open yet thread' Good luck, but I have no answers __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

01-08-2011, 04:28 PM	#7
69sixpackbee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sabinal, Texas Posts: 1,706	Re: Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key By the looks of that door it wont be long before it opens itself! LOL

01-08-2011, 05:29 PM	#8
matthew20061 69' Chevy Stepside Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Anchorage, Ak Posts: 526	Re: Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key The previous owner of my other truck with the tool box deiced it might be a good idea to use a pry bar and bend the door out to see what was inside. All it did was bend the door... Then I came along used a small bar to move the locked lock out of the way and pulled the handle and messed with the handle a lot and it finally popped open. Never seen inside one but it had what looked like the factory jack and some ancient belts inside. Then we closed it and now it won't open! LOL __________________ -Matthew -69' Chevy Custom/10 Shortbed Stepside 2WD "Copperhead" - Restored, 6.0L LQ9 Built. L92 Heads and LS3 Intake with Comp Cam 223/231 .610/.617 112 LSA, 4L60E with Shift Kit and Circle-D 3200 Stall Converter ~Build Thread -1957 Chevy BelAir 2 Door Post Sedan, Full Frame off Restoration done myself - 6.0L with T56 six speed -1957 Chevy BelAir 2 Door Post Sedan - Nearly rust free AK car, Project in the waiting -2003' Chevy Silverado SS AWD 6.0L! - Daily Driver

01-08-2011, 08:43 PM	#9
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,284	Re: Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key Well tried using a couple putty knifes this afternoon with no luck. Slid them between the body and the door opening pushing down. There seems to be a very short "tab" protuding down thru the backside of the latch housing or where the latch "should" be. Will try that tomorrow using a pair of vise grips and "gently" pull. Gotta' get it open before I can try removing the door and box. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

01-08-2011, 09:03 PM	#10
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Open a Tool Box Dr.-No Latch/No Lock/No Key You probably can't grab the latch bolt through the lock hole. I'd sacrifice the fiberglass box and get to the backside of the door. More compartments survived than doors. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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