Tool Box Open with no Key/Latch ?

[Ironhorse]

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.

[68350]

The hinges may be rusty and froze try spraying some wd40 on them.
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[Ironhorse]

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.

[motorcritter]

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.
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[LockDoc]

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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

[Ironhorse]

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.

[birdistheword]

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.

[stsalvage]

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

[Ironhorse]

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.

[Gumby]

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]

[LockDoc]

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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.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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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.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

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