putting door lock on drivers side door (AD)

[msaintg]

hey guys, I read somewhere that I should be able to add a door lock to my drivers side door. I read that the stock latch assemblies were the same. Well, I was trying to do just that, but found out that the latches are different. There is a 'cam' piece with a groove for the lock on the passenger side that is NOT on the drivers side latch. And the mounting plate is wider on the passenger side than the drivers side, so I can not just add the cam piece to the drivers side latch. Is there some way of modifying the latch that I don't know about? ..... and if you are only going to put one lock on a truck.... why did they put in on the passenger door? stupid, I tell ya.
thanks, Mike

[mknittle]

The reason the passenger side only locked is: when these trucks were designed the streets were mush narrower Think horse and buggy the ford model T. If you parked on the street there was no room to get out on the drivers side so there was no reason for the external lock.

[msaintg]

ya, I have heard that reason before. Using that logic, I guess we should be thankful they even put a DOOR on the drivers side.

[NEWFISHER]

Mike,
I remember a "how to " either here or on the hamb. I will keep searching and post when I find it as I too am getting tired of sliding across the vinyl.

[NEWFISHER]

Found it on Stovebolt:
http://talk.classicparts.com/showthr...ight=door+lock

[msaintg]

hey thanks for looking that up for me. I think I will convert these latches to bear claw latches (someday far far away) so I will just live with the one lock.