Bedside toolbox latch stuck?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**JQ-72** · 02-08-2024, 09:07 PM

Just drug in a 69 Custom Camper with what appears to be a decent toolbox door. However, I can’t get the door open. The latch feels real loose like nothing is catching and it is not locked. Any ideas on how to open it?

**Dieselwrencher** · 02-09-2024, 06:41 AM

That handle does look really nice so be careful to not reef on it a lot as they are easy to bend. The lock looks turned to the locked position I think. Leon can tell you for sure. Are you saving the bed or parting the truck? Unfortunately I don't know of a good way to get it open without some damage. I've cut the tool box liner before to get a door open. I've found that the pawl rusts/sticks in the retainer on the back of the door. The liners are definitely easier to get than a good door.

**special-K** · 02-09-2024, 08:15 AM

There is no shortage of good fiberglass compartments on trucks that need that door. I would butcher the compartment away to access the latch from the backside

**JQ-72** · 02-09-2024, 09:52 AM

I shone a light down into the compartment and the locking mechanism is turned 90 degrees from the pawl - in other words, it's unlocked. you can also see with a light that the housing for the pawl is slightly bent. When the handle is pulled up, there is no resistance, like nothing is catching. I tried to get a few thin screwdrivers down in there to work the inside of the latch, but no luck.

**LockDoc** · 02-09-2024, 10:17 AM

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Here is what the back of the lock and latch looks like.

If you can see the latch and the lock pawl is not blocking it you should be able to use a tool with a hook on the end of it to push the latch down and unlock it. I use a long cotter key removal tool. Spray it all with penetrating oil first. I usually drill a 3/4" hole in the bottom of the tub so I can pull the latch down.

02-08-2024, 09:07 PM	#1
JQ-72 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Killen, Alabama USA Posts: 3,632	Bedside toolbox latch stuck?? Just drug in a 69 Custom Camper with what appears to be a decent toolbox door. However, I can’t get the door open. The latch feels real loose like nothing is catching and it is not locked. Any ideas on how to open it? Attached Images __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super swb. Factory 402/400,tach,posi,AM/FM, A/C. Adding cruise, 8-track 72 Cheyenne Super swb. 350/350 A/C, bucket seats 72 Cheyenne swb. Factory 402/400, tilt, posi, A/C 72 Cheyenne Super K-10. 350/4 spd., posi. 72 Suburban 350/350 tilt, tach, AM/FM, A/C, luggage rack 72 GMC Sierra lwb. 350/350, A/C. medium green/olive interior Last edited by JQ-72; 02-08-2024 at 10:16 PM.

02-09-2024, 06:41 AM	#2
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,143	Re: Bedside toolbox latch stuck?? That handle does look really nice so be careful to not reef on it a lot as they are easy to bend. The lock looks turned to the locked position I think. Leon can tell you for sure. Are you saving the bed or parting the truck? Unfortunately I don't know of a good way to get it open without some damage. I've cut the tool box liner before to get a door open. I've found that the pawl rusts/sticks in the retainer on the back of the door. The liners are definitely easier to get than a good door. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

02-09-2024, 08:15 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Bedside toolbox latch stuck?? There is no shortage of good fiberglass compartments on trucks that need that door. I would butcher the compartment away to access the latch from the backside __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-09-2024, 09:52 AM	#4
JQ-72 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Killen, Alabama USA Posts: 3,632	Re: Bedside toolbox latch stuck?? I shone a light down into the compartment and the locking mechanism is turned 90 degrees from the pawl - in other words, it's unlocked. you can also see with a light that the housing for the pawl is slightly bent. When the handle is pulled up, there is no resistance, like nothing is catching. I tried to get a few thin screwdrivers down in there to work the inside of the latch, but no luck. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super swb. Factory 402/400,tach,posi,AM/FM, A/C. Adding cruise, 8-track 72 Cheyenne Super swb. 350/350 A/C, bucket seats 72 Cheyenne swb. Factory 402/400, tilt, posi, A/C 72 Cheyenne Super K-10. 350/4 spd., posi. 72 Suburban 350/350 tilt, tach, AM/FM, A/C, luggage rack 72 GMC Sierra lwb. 350/350, A/C. medium green/olive interior

02-09-2024, 10:17 AM	#5
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 26,068	Re: Bedside toolbox latch stuck?? - Here is what the back of the lock and latch looks like. If you can see the latch and the lock pawl is not blocking it you should be able to use a tool with a hook on the end of it to push the latch down and unlock it. I use a long cotter key removal tool. Spray it all with penetrating oil first. I usually drill a 3/4" hole in the bottom of the tub so I can pull the latch down. Attached Images __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - Last edited by LockDoc; 02-09-2024 at 10:23 AM.



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