Door wont lock

[Andyboy]

My 62 gmc doesn't have a lock handle on the driver side, just the passenger side. I can't lock my driver door, with window down I lock it from the inside, then push the button and it opens. Is there something missing? I've also tried to switch the buttons, but the rod attached to the passengers side button is longer. If I buy a lock button with the rod longer than what it has now, can i cut it to size and be fine and will it lock? Hope this makes sense.

[1963c-10]

So, let me get this right...you dont have an external lock on the driver door but do on the passenger door?

[1963c-10]

Err...have a lock on the driver, but DONT on the passenger side?

[Andyboy]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

So, let me get this right...you dont have an external lock on the driver door but do on the passenger door?

This is correct.

[aerotruk63]

Passenger side keyed door locks were an option. Could someone have tried to fix the door handles and mixed the door buttons from side to side.

[1963c-10]

Thats what I was thinking. These trucks came with a driver side door lock, the passenger side was an option (bout $2-3) that could be ordered. I would suggest swapping the door handles on the doors.

[aerotruk63]

Handles are left and right! It's the internals.

[1963c-10]

Thats what I meant...brain and fingers aren't typing what im thinking...sorry

[Andyboy]

I've tried that and the internals are the buttons attached to a rod. The rod on the pass. side handle with the lock button is longer then the one on the drivers side. So when I switched them the driver door wouldn't even latch, you could just pull the door open. I think I'm going to get a lock button and cut down the rod to the dummy button that i have now and see if it latch's.

[Andyboy]

Also as mentioned on first post, when i lock the driver door i can push the button and it opens. Is there a lever or something missing inside the door so it can lock? If so, that i can do so i can just lock up my truck.

[aerotruk63]

I've never locked my truck and the key is always in the ignition.

In those years did you not simply lock the button from moving in the exterior door handle?

If you lock the interior handle, the key does not release the inside handle, it simply allows the button on the exterior door handle to travel inwards, which releases the latch mechanism.

[Andyboy]

So It might work then. I'll have to get a used button and try. Thanks

It must be nice, that you can leave the doors unlocked with keys in the ignition and not worry. I in the other hand live in California, nuff said.

[aerotruk63]

Yeah but on your way to the grocery store you can buy milk and rear seats for a 63-66 GMC suburban. Used to travel to California when I drove truck. Could always find something to buy. Now stuck in farmland Canada where getting an accessory in your plain Jane farm truck was blasphemy! Just showin off eh!

[Andyboy]

Ok so I got a lock button from the junk yard today. I installed it and it would not latch. The lock button rod is 3/8" longer, so i cut it and worked. Now I just have to get it re-keyed. Then I'll have one key for the two doors, glove and ignition.

[Andyboy]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

I've never locked my truck and the key is always in the ignition.

In those years did you not simply lock the button from moving in the exterior door handle?

If you lock the interior handle, the key does not release the inside handle, it simply allows the button on the exterior door handle to travel inwards, which releases the latch mechanism.

One other thing just like aerotruk63 said, the key does not release the inside handle so I'll have to lock the door from the outside. Locking it from the inside does not work. Thanks for every ones input.

[Rooster's 67]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Yeah but on your way to the grocery store you can buy milk and rear seats for a 63-66 GMC suburban. Used to travel to California when I drove truck. Could always find something to buy. Now stuck in farmland Canada where getting an accessory in your plain Jane farm truck was blasphemy! Just showin off eh!

If he lives in California, after he buys milk he may not be able to afford the rear seats.

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by Andyboy

One other thing just like aerotruk63 said, the key does not release the inside handle so I'll have to lock the door from the outside. Locking it from the inside does not work. Thanks for every ones input.

It seems like there might be some confusion on how these truck door mechanisms work. I'm not sure this will help, but to clarify - the door locks on these trucks do not work the same as passenger cars from this period. On most cars from this era (vehicles with a lock knob inside), locking the door from either inside or outside actually locked the door latch itself. The latch could then be unlocked by using either the inside handle, the outside key/button, or by pulling up on the lock knob. All three directly operated the latch mechanism.

On my 1960 GMC the inside and outside locking mechanisms are independent of each other. Actually locking the door latch (in the door jamb) can only be accomplished by using the inside door handle. Locking the outside button with a key merely prevents the handle button from being depressed. It doesn’t actually move the latch into the locked position.

If the door cannot be locked from the inside the linkage between the handle and the latch is out of adjustment. And if the inside handle is in the locked position, the outside door button will be unable to open the door, regardless of key position.

BTW- I also have matching outside door lock buttons that are keyed same as the ignition and glove box, and it's very convenient.

[Andyboy]

Thanks markeb01 I thought something was wrong with the linkage. I'll have to look for a diagram of the door locking mechanism, cause I'm not sure what I'm looking for.

Also do you think by locking the button with the key would work, you wouldn't be able to depress the button so you wouldn't be able to open the door...right.?

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by Andyboy

Also do you think by locking the button with the key would work, you wouldn't be able to depress the button so you wouldn't be able to open the door...right.?

That is correct. With the outside door handle locked, the button will not depress nor open the door, unless something is wrong inside the door handle. It's interesting to note that aftermarket replica door handles are not internally identical to oem handles. When I first bought my replacement handles, I could push the button in far enough to have it catch inside the handle. I don't remember the exact details but I know I had to add some washers to the button assembly to keep it from going in too far and sticking.

Perhaps these details from the 1960 Shop Manual will be of some help:

[Andyboy]

Thanks markeb01

[slorio]

Nice timing on this thread. I had a spare door with lock that I had rekeyed a couple of weeks ago, but hadn't installed. I tackled it today after reading this thread. Went in without a hitch. Andyboy, I didn't need to cut it either, but both truck and extra lock were from 64-66. They both stuck out the same 1 1/8". Did you cross a lock from a later truck to an earlier?
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

PS Markeb01 thanks for a nice write up.

[Andyboy]

Well slorio, I'm not sure if there from 64-66. but i did get the lock button from a 1960 and as the 1960 shop manual says, the lock button is on the right side. So maybe someone put in a later one on the left side. I'm glad your worked out great.

The thing that gets me is the one on my pass. side door works fine.


So I'm thinking the locking mechanism on my driver door is bent forward.


Thanks again for the photos of the manual, Markeb01.

[samuellg1977]

One of my buddies has a 64 long bed fleet. He drove up at his shop one morning to find his driver's door handle lying in the parking lot - (with no truck attached to it). His truck was found (thankfully) a few miles away (out of gas) with the radio and some of his tools stolen. The truck was locked, but the thief pried the WHOLE HANDLE OFF the driver's door, then poked his finger inside the hole and hit the striker and with a couple of twists of wires, away he went with the truck. So much for "LOCKING" the doors. Dan decided to just shave the handles off and leave the truck smoothed out with remote poppers, so he won't have to worry about it happening again.

Sam

[Andyboy]

Sam, sorry to hear about your friends truck. That really sucks thankfully it ran out of gas. I have to run mine like that until I figure out whats wrong with the mechanism inside the door, but thanks for the heads up.