The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-28-2013, 02:03 PM   #1
Ironhorse
Senior Member
 
Ironhorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 10,294
Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

I have a '70 3/4 ton 2wd CustomCamper/20 with the bedside tool box option. The door does have some rust as usual but I think it can be saved. Have all three pieces of the tool box trim and the fiberglass box is unbroken. Problem is the keyed latch is gone and I don't seem to be able to get the door open to remove the door and related parts. I've tried using a putty knife to "push" the inner latch slide down to release the door with no luck. Any ideas that will not destroy the door or box? Think if I can get it open and removed someone could use it for their tool box bedside.
__________________
1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8
Was sm465-now 350TH/np205
Tilt, Tach, Towhooks
Original Truck AM/FM
Wellington, Ks
Ironhorse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2013, 02:16 PM   #2
68350
Senior Member
 
68350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Williston, ND
Posts: 2,999
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

The hinges may be rusty and froze try spraying some wd40 on them.
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets
68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction
69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction
70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach
70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks
70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR
71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto
71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s
71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt
72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi
72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi
68350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2013, 07:52 PM   #3
Ironhorse
Senior Member
 
Ironhorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 10,294
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

I can move the door somewhat back and forth so I know the hinges are not rusted tight. Problem is both the oval latch and the keyed lock are missing and have not figured a way to move the sliding plunger on the back side of the door to open it. As I said, don't want to tear it up, tool box sides aren't that common.
__________________
1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8
Was sm465-now 350TH/np205
Tilt, Tach, Towhooks
Original Truck AM/FM
Wellington, Ks
Ironhorse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2013, 09:19 PM   #4
motorcritter
Registered User
 
motorcritter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 350
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

My latch was frozen up, I soaked everything- lock, latch and hinge with penetrant. The lid had rusted enough that there was some room to get in with a pick and shove the catch down enough to open the door. The lock had to get freed up enough to unlock, then, I got creative and slightly brutal. Once it's open, I dismantled the latch and gave it a grease bath. Great place for booster cables and tie-downs.
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
If 'that which does not kill me, makes me stronger', then I should be Superman by now!
motorcritter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2013, 08:56 PM   #5
LockDoc
The Older Generation


 
LockDoc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,774
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

-
Any chance you could post a couple of pictures so we can see for sure what you are working with. When you say the "oval latch" do you mean the handle?

LockDoc
__________________
Leon

Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles

(My Dually Pickup Project Thread)

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820

-
LockDoc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2013, 09:31 PM   #6
Ironhorse
Senior Member
 
Ironhorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 10,294
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

Leon, here is a couple of pics that I hope give you enough of an idea of what I am dealing with. No key lock and no handle or latch. I tried to use a putty knife, long straight blade screw driver and a thin strip of metal to push the inside sliding tab down to release the door but no luck with any of the 3 items. Any tips or thoughts on what to try? The fiberglass box is in good shape so don't want to sacrifice it by breaking a hole in it just yet.
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
Ironhorse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2013, 12:34 AM   #7
birdistheword
Registered User
 
birdistheword's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Posts: 236
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

I had the same issue but still have the lock and latch. Just my latch handle wasn't connected to anything. Got mine open by putting a small straight blade screw driver in the hole above the latch and pushing down.
__________________
Erik
1969 Chevy K20 6.0L/4L80E/NP205
1971 Chevy C30 Cheyenne Longhorn 454/TH400
1979 Chevy K30 dually currently in pieces
birdistheword is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2013, 03:16 AM   #8
stsalvage
Scrapper 1
 
stsalvage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Riverside Calif
Posts: 1,649
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

this will sound really bad coming from a guy like me But why are you wasting time on the door its trash I use a buzz saw and cut into it and get another door.I have one on my 1968 long horn but had one on the 1971 long bed wanted the fiber glass tub but the door was locked with no handle just buzz cut that dam thing off after 4 days of messing around with it by being genital finally just what the fock and went for it
stsalvage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2013, 09:58 AM   #9
Ironhorse
Senior Member
 
Ironhorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 10,294
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

THere is no doubt I could open the door by trashing it but when you stop to think how un-common a bedside tool box is I really hate to destroy hard to find original parts for these trucks. When I do on the rare occasion find a 67-72 truck in a salvage yard with a few decent parts on it it's always nice to see that previously no one destroyed them in a botched attempt to remove an adjoining piece. I know the door is in rough shape but I have seen other doors posted here in just as bad shape that people have brought back to life. Again, these doors aren't that common and no one is re-producing them that I know of. Besides, I look at it as somewhat of a contest between me and the truck, kinda like the infamous floor safe posting awhile back.
__________________
1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8
Was sm465-now 350TH/np205
Tilt, Tach, Towhooks
Original Truck AM/FM
Wellington, Ks
Ironhorse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2013, 10:12 AM   #10
Gumby
Registered User
 
Gumby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NW-Ohio
Posts: 2,525
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

never seen a door like that before but can't you get to it from the back side? I wouldn't destroy the front either but maybe you can hack your way in the back way to really soak it down with PBblast and push it out or??? [no clue how they open, flip down, pull out]
__________________
Chevy GMC Trucks Find Of The Day

https://www.facebook.com/ChevyGmcTrucksFindOfTheDay or http://ChevyGMCTrucks.com
Gumby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2013, 01:08 PM   #11
LockDoc
The Older Generation


 
LockDoc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,774
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

-
You should be able to insert a screwdriver where the arrow is pointed in this picture an pry the lock bolt down enough to open it.

Check this thread out for some pictures. Be sure and look through the whole thread, the pictures are kind of spread out.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Leon

Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles

(My Dually Pickup Project Thread)

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820

-
LockDoc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2013, 01:28 PM   #12
Ironhorse
Senior Member
 
Ironhorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 10,294
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by LockDoc View Post
-
You should be able to insert a screwdriver where the arrow is pointed in this picture an pry the lock bolt down enough to open it.

Check this thread out for some pictures. Be sure and look through the whole thread, the pictures are kind of spread out.
Leon, not sure of your mention "Check this thread out...." Did you have a link you forgot or am I missing something? Appreciate any help you can give.
__________________
1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8
Was sm465-now 350TH/np205
Tilt, Tach, Towhooks
Original Truck AM/FM
Wellington, Ks
Ironhorse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2013, 11:06 PM   #13
LockDoc
The Older Generation


 
LockDoc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,774
Re: Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironhorse View Post
Leon, not sure of your mention "Check this thread out...." Did you have a link you forgot or am I missing something? Appreciate any help you can give.
... that's what happens when you get in a hurry. I had to drive about 90 miles to "rescue" my grandson this morning and I tried to get that out before I had to leave, I guess it didn't work.... Here is the link.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=557896

LockDoc
__________________
Leon

Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles

(My Dually Pickup Project Thread)

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820

-
LockDoc is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com