doors unlock when shut. normal?

[cjohnson6772]

If I lock the doors on my 72 as I get out, the doors unlock when shut. Do all of these trucks do that? Is there anyway to change it to where i can just push the lock down as i get out instead of having to lock it with the key?
Posted via Mobile Device

[black_sheep454]

All of mine unlock when you shut the door, as far as changing it I don't know.
Posted via Mobile Device

[no moa]

mine also

[VA72C10]

I actually think it's cool as it's a "don't lock yourself out" avoidance feature

Although I do hate using a key with nice paint...worried about scratching

[jocko]

good quesiton and I don't recall to be honest how my old one worked. i used to have a truck that you had to hold in the thumb pushbutton while you shut it to make it stay locked. It is normal for it to unlock when you shut it though. Not sure I recall which vehicle I had had the "hold the button in" feature to prevent it from unlocking. You've probably tried that, but thought I'd mention.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

I actually think it's cool as it's a "don't lock yourself out" avoidance feature

Yup, designed to keep us from locking our keys in the truck. I think it's a great feature.

[jocko]

i agree - until the truck is stolen because someone walks away thinking it's locked...

[davepl]

Yep, it's a "feature" of the trucks. On the Canadian Pontiacs (and probably Impalas and Bonnevilles) of the same year you can hold the handle button in while closing the door to allow it to lock. Not sure why they have a different requirement for trucks, maybe since they were often commercial vehicles.

[Liz]

Its pretty much how most older vehicles are.

[406 Q-ship]

Originally Posted by davepl

Yep, it's a "feature" of the trucks. On the Canadian Pontiacs (and probably Impalas and Bonnevilles) of the same year you can hold the handle button in while closing the door to allow it to lock. Not sure why they have a different requirement for trucks, maybe since they were often commercial vehicles.

That is not a Canadian feature, GM cars from 1955 up to 1970 were made so you held the button to lock the door. After 1971 then you just pushed the lock button down and shut the door. I was suprised when I got the truck it shocked me to find that it required the key to lock the door. The 1973 up model truck work just like the cars.

[67chevy1series]

lol my sister said that they way the trucks lock is "jackass" then i told them try to lock the keys in the truck..... they shut up and put up lol now they understand and like it i wish they would do this to newer cars to! my mom and sisters kept doing that everynight... they would push the button down, shut the door and go in inside the house.... always found it th next morning unlocked lol

[cjohnson6772]

Thanks for the answers guys. I just wanted to see if there was an option to change it. It is nice that you can't lock yourself out, but i do hate having to lock it with the ket :/
Posted via Mobile Device

[PanelDeland]

I haven't seena way to change like you want but that don't mean there ain't one.You could probably adapt that style of door handle,but it wouldn't look stock.

[sanford66]

Yep, you have to lock it with the key. 73 on you can push the lock knob down and shut the door. I kind of like the 72 and older truck lock design, can't lock your keys in. I used to have a 76 truck, locked my keys in it one night. I wasn't at home when it happend so i had to break out the vent window so i could get in. Luckily i had a spare in the junkyard to replace it with the next morning. I think its a nice feature. Joseph

[special-K]

Welcome to 1972. It's just the way they were made. I never gave it a thought having to put the key in the lock,turn,and pull the key out before putting the key in your pocket. Of course,I don't think it's a hassle writing a check or walking to the mailbox,either . Back then,people didn't lock their cars every time they got out like so many do today. How about the passenger door? The only way to lock that is from inside...before you lock the other door. It's so simple and fool-proof. For the sake of convenience they changed it and now people lock their keys in. Anyone who doesn't know their truck well enough to walk away thinking it's locked when it's not probably deserves to have it stolen

[into69z]

Originally Posted by special-K

Welcome to 1972. It's just the way they were made. I never gave it a thought having to put the key in the lock,turn,and pull the key out before putting the key in your pocket. Of course,I don't think it's a hassle writing a check or walking to the mailbox,either . Back then,people didn't lock their cars every time they got out like so many do today. How about the passenger door? The only way to lock that is from inside...before you lock the other door. It's so simple and fool-proof. For the sake of convenience they changed it and now people lock their keys in. Anyone who doesn't know their truck well enough to walk away thinking it's locked when it's not probably deserves to have it stolen

x2.................

[68gmsee]

To be honest, any determined, knowledgeable thief worth his salt will steal your truck regardless if it's locked or not.

I do agree that back in the old days (prior to 70's for me) no one locked their vehicles. Especially trucks. Where I grew up I don't ever recall anyone I knew having their vehicles stolen or broken into.

[bigguy69]

Yep we used to leave the keys hanging in the switch. You didn't really worry about it. Nobody bothered tour stuff. I don't do now though.
Posted via Mobile Device

[odog]

Well actually you can lock the truck without the key, you just close the door and reach through the window and push the button down. At least around hear thats how we do it, course round here nobody wants to try to steal the old girl anyway.

[special-K]

Locks don't prevent theft,Location does.

[dukcaln]

i like the feature since the 16 year old is driving it to school starting mid June

[litew8]

Originally Posted by special-K

Welcome to 1972. It's just the way they were made. I never gave it a thought having to put the key in the lock,turn,and pull the key out before putting the key in your pocket. Of course,I don't think it's a hassle writing a check or walking to the mailbox,either . Back then,people didn't lock their cars every time they got out like so many do today. How about the passenger door? The only way to lock that is from inside...before you lock the other door. It's so simple and fool-proof. For the sake of convenience they changed it and now people lock their keys in. Anyone who doesn't know their truck well enough to walk away thinking it's locked when it's not probably deserves to have it stolen

brings back memories from before I tore mine apart.

[Mayo]

I think its a cool feature, but I don't hardly ever lock my truck anyways.

[GRX]

Originally Posted by special-K

Welcome to 1972. It's just the way they were made. I never gave it a thought having to put the key in the lock,turn,and pull the key out before putting the key in your pocket. Of course,I don't think it's a hassle writing a check or walking to the mailbox,either . Back then,people didn't lock their cars every time they got out like so many do today. How about the passenger door? The only way to lock that is from inside...before you lock the other door. It's so simple and fool-proof. For the sake of convenience they changed it and now people lock their keys in. Anyone who doesn't know their truck well enough to walk away thinking it's locked when it's not probably deserves to have it stolen

.............. x3

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by special-k

locks don't prevent theft, spring guns do.

..