47-55.1 Any suggestions for power locks

[crushermechanic]

Does anybody have any suggestions how I can install power locks on my doors. They have the Altman latches for 47-51 doors on 53 doors.

[b-mac]

I wish I had better pics but I can't find them. The atman latches have a little L-shaped piece of metal that has a pin. In one position it keeps the lock jaw from opening.
I used an electric actuator to move that L-piece back and forth. Then I had to measure exactly where the actuator need to be bolted inside the door frame and still clear the window channel.
In hindsight, I probably should have flipped them. I put the pin on the door jam and the Bearclaw latch in the door.

[mr48chev]

Altman does sell a braket for the lock actuator that includes the rod to to connect the actuator. They don't sell the actuator though. https://triquemfg.com/products/lock-...=7185120133178

My guess is that if you contacted them they would have suggestions of where to look for actuators.

[crushermechanic]

Thanks for the info I will find some actuators and order those brackets

[Getter-Done]

Several companies sell universal actuators.

Would something like this in the link below work if you made your own brackets?

Link: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Unive...rs,343558.html

[53burb]

FWIW, I have a set of the actuators similiar to the ones posted above installed on my '07 Ram to convert to PDL.....they work GREAT and are very cheap. Mine operate with a remote and wired them to flash the fog lights when actuated. The 4 door set was like $20....I got them from Amazon, I believe...there are many to choose from...

[crushermechanic]

Did they come with a remote. I will have to have a remote because a key lock won't work on these doors

[dsraven]

just a thought, but if you can't unlock the door except with an electrically operated device maybe you wanna think about a hidden mechanically operated unlock device somewhere. if your battery goes dead with the doors locked then you're kinda hooped otherwise, unless the battery is accessible from outside the truck.

[_Ogre]

you definitely need alternate way(s) to unlatch/unlock your doors, even with mechanical latches. bicycle brake cables can be woven thru door looms and around corners to get under the hood.

getting stuck at the car show with a dead key fob shouldn't be a life altering event

[dsraven]

good point on the key fob battery issues ogre. I was thinking of the vehicle battery going dead. I've had a couple of buddies with that issue on their cars that don't get driven enough to keep the batteries in good condition

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by dsraven

good point on the key fob battery issues ogre. I was thinking of the vehicle battery going dead. I've had a couple of buddies with that issue on their cars that don't get driven enough to keep the batteries in good condition

exactly. truk goes dead after 9 days due to the draw of the keyless entry/alarm system i have installed. i have a .5 amp battery tender mounted on the wall in front of truk. for the first 8 years i used the harbor fright $5 trickle charger, it's on my mower now. one of the better items from harbor fright.

[crushermechanic]

I haven't thought about an alternative unlock method. The battery will be hard to get to easily. I my put a remote jump post in as well

[dsraven]

Remote jump posts are a great idea. They can be sorta hidden if need be. Either way an alternative to a power only door lock would be a must in my vehicle. ogre's idea with bike cable is great. Bulk cable and ends are available at most bike shops. Shifter cable is smaller than brake cable.

[crushermechanic]

Bike cable should be easy to work with and around here easy to find. Thanks for the ideas

[_Ogre]

use the bicycle brake cable adjusters to lock in both ends of the housing. drill a hole in anything handy and use the nut to clamp in place. buy the metal adjusters, plastic one are pretty cheesy looking. 58 truk has 5 shaved latches: both doors, truk trunk, tonneau cover and gas door. all use brake cable for backup cables.

[mr48chev]

Great idea there. I had a length of welding rod running down to the bottom of the door and out though a hole where it stuck out maybe a half inch that I could get with a pair of plyers if my push button failed. Old school custom car trick with hidden push buttons to activate the door latch solenoids. I found out that power door lock actuators off mid 70's donor cars weren't strong enough though.

[dsraven]

a wire rope or cable stop would also be handy for terminating. something like used on some old carbs etc.
like this
https://www.topecoproducts.com/produ...-stop-w-screw/
and just like on a bike, a straight run of cable doesn't need an outer cable on it except for mechanical damage so it would have less friction for a return spring to overcome and less chance of rust build up. there are cheaper cables but some are stainless cable and some outer cable sheaths have a teflon (?) liner to help with the friction thing. a simple loop of cable held with a cable stop would be an easy handle to grab

[53burb]

yes, remotes are included....

https://www.amazon.com/InstallGear-K...zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[leegreen]

I have had good results using sections of nicopp brake/fuel line as swages for light lines like throttle cables or bike cable. I use one of those cheap handheld hydraulic welding/battery cable crimpers.

Flatten and drill one end of nicopp fuel line or copper plumbing pipe and it also makes good electrical cable ends for larger wires at the starter etc.

[crushermechanic]

This is something I definitely am doing. Thanks again for the help