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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MI
Posts: 20
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Easy Latch Kit?
How are the Altman Easy Latch kits? Worth the $350?
My doors aren't lined up 100% and thats the main reason It takes 3 tries to get the drivers door closed. Think this would help any? |
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#2 |
Senior Member
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Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 6,338
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
I bought the kit for my '55.2 but my lazy ass hasn't installed it yet.
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'55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda! |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lynnwood, WA
Posts: 77
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
I would think your doors would need to be in pretty good alignment for them to work okay.
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#4 |
Hollister Road Co.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Houston
Posts: 6,134
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
If your doors are not lined up no latch will work correctly but these are far better latches than the originals and fairly easy to install.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 917
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
I put them on my 55.2 and the install is simple and straight forward and they work. my doors close like a new car. IMO, thier pre engineering is worth the money but beware, you lose the forward handle lock function. If you want locking doors you'll have to jump through some hoops. A couple of us have fought through it and detailed it on here. It's a pain.
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 6,338
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
SBA - Yeah but you can still lock them with the key from outside, correct?
__________________
'55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda! |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Morristown TN.
Posts: 355
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Just finished installing a set in my '49 and love them!! alot better than the stock latches and easy to install also. Have to agree with everyone also that you need to have your doors lined up pretty close to begin with for them to work properly.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 917
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Yea, Dan you can still lock with the key and I ordered keys for both sides from Brothers but I still wanted the security of being able to lock the doors from the inside and it turned into somewhat of a hassle. Those guys would be great if they engineered a locking system for their latch.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MI
Posts: 20
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Thanks for all the feedback. The doors close ok, but the latch doesn't always catch leaving the door half latched. I always have to give it a shove to see if it pops open. Sounds like I should invest some time into the hinges and alignment before the latches.
Anyway adding this to the wish list then. |
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#10 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 6,338
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Quote:
__________________
'55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda! |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Motown
Posts: 7,680
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
you'd be surprised at what new hinges and stock latches will do for a set of doors.
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cool, an ogre smiley ![]() how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer |
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
Posts: 2,646
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Quote:
Lots of folks here like the EZ latch setups but I don't feel the need to spend the $350 for them. EDit: I'm speaking from my experience with my 57 truck. I'm not familiar with ADs. |
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,522
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Getting the doors to fit right and having the hinges in tops shape is an absolute must before attacking the latches.
If it's an AD body style I'd highly suggest changing the latches for some that are more secure as even slightly worn lAD latches are suspect and may allow the door to pop open at inopportune times. That may not be as big an issue on Task Force trucks.
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Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
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#14 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 6,338
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Quote:
Each has to make their own decision of course but I spent it so I wouldn't have regrets or tragedy coming out of my hobby.
__________________
'55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda! |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: mt vernon, oh
Posts: 867
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
I used bear claws , and can lock mine from the inside, just. Required making a slot at the attachment point, I think it's in the build, I would think you could do the same with an easy latch...
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MI
Posts: 20
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
I've never had them pop open going down the road. I just don't like slamming the doors 3+ times to get them to latch. I'm sure the neighbors love it at 5am when I'm leaving for work. Right now my doors don't even lock from the outside, so I'm not so concerned about the locks.
Anyone have good resources on how to rebuild the hinges or align the doors? If not I'll use the google machine. |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Champlin Mn.
Posts: 54
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Stovebolt.com has some good info. I bought the electric kit with my altman latches works Great!
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Lompoc, California
Posts: 12
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
$350 sounds a little steep for my pocket book for latches. I was checkin these out. Anyone ever used these? http://www.hotrodlatches.com/Large_L...nstall-kit.htm
$50 and American made! |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: el campo texas
Posts: 322
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
I read if you use aftermarket 49 style door handles . they give problems with the altman latch. something about the repop being to stiff. anyone know anything about that. and what to do?
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Russellville, AR
Posts: 16
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Our Altman Easy Latch for the 1947-1951 Chevy Truck is our number 1 selling latch kit for 4 years now. I handle 99% of all tech calls that come in to our offices and have not had an issue where someone could not get a re manufactured handle to work. I would be happy to answer any and all questions concerning our latches. And to all of you that have used and experienced the value in our latch kits, thank you. It is mostly through word of mouth that our latches have caught on (pardon the pun) like they have. We really appreciate it.
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www.triquemfg.com |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Topeka Kansas
Posts: 49
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
CTurner1978
Is there going to be any R&D on the latches to be able to lock them from the inside? Tim |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Russellville, AR
Posts: 16
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
It is something that we have taken in to consideration. There is nothing in the works at this time, but we do have some ideas on the back burner to address the issue.
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www.triquemfg.com |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Posts: 7
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
I suppose even if you guys came up with something, it wouldn't help those that have already purchased/installed. Your electric door lock kit seems to maybe be the "easiest" option so you dont have to lock using the key from the outside. With that said, your electric lock kit only works for 47-51. Do you guys have a solution for 52's?
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#24 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Russellville, AR
Posts: 16
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Quote:
The only reason we make a lock actuator bracket for the 47-51 is because of the required placement of the lock actuator in conjunction with our lock on that particular kit. Most of our other kits (like the 52-54) have the lock provision mounted to the bottom of the latch. This allows you several choices for mounting the lock actuator.
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www.triquemfg.com |
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#25 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Edmond, OK
Posts: 393
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Re: Easy Latch Kit?
Quote:
I have the hotrodlatches.com on my '57. It took me a couple days due to having to fab up some pieces and experimenting. I ended up drilling out and cutting a portion of the casing to remove the top lever and weld on a push button to work with the '57 style handle. They work great, but it definitely took more effort. Search "Bear Claw Latch Tech" by Antny on the hamb for a pretty good tech on it.
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1951 Chevy 3100/S-10: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=406072 1957 Chevy 3200 1971 2WD Blazer - Sold |
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