Broken tool box latch

[kenj39]

Not sure if I posted in the right place ?.
I have a 1971 Chevy c-20 With the factory tool box under the passinger side bed.
The key part turns like normal however the latch is broken . it pulls about 1/4 open then snapped .

should i cut the latch off and try to trip the latch with a flat head ?

Do I need to cut thrugh the bottom and trip it from the inside ?

please help, Thank you.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by kenj39

Not sure if I posted in the right place ?.
I have a 1971 Chevy c-20 With the factory tool box under the passinger side bed.
The key part turns like normal however the latch is broken . it pulls about 1/4 open then snapped .

should i cut the latch off and try to trip the latch with a flat head ?

Do I need to cut thrugh the bottom and trip it from the inside ?

please help, Thank you.

Too bad you didn't spray it down good with penetrating oil before forcing it, it might have opened for you. First off you have to make sure that the lock cylinder is turned to the open position, which from looking at the picture I think it is. Go ahead and spray it with penetrating oil and let it sit for a while. Then take a thin straight blade screwdriver and slide it into the slot where the arrow is pointing in your picture I re-posted. Lift up on the screwdriver handle to try and pry the lock bolt down. Don't get real heavy handed with it just keep spraying it and prying on it. You may have to pry it both up and down to get it broke loose. Let us know if you have any luck with it.

[In The Ten Ring]

I hope you can get that straightened out! I think the built-in tool box feature was a great idea and I wish modern trucks had something similar.