door handle 'blank' push button - replacement with 'key' push button

[hplacecf]

hi.

1957 3600.

questions about replacing/installing key locks for doors.

I want to be able to go to the store and lock up the truck, but right now it does not have locking push buttons on the door handles, it just has the bank metal ones.

so, I bought a set of the locking door handle push buttons (includes springs, clips, etc) from lmc.

I took off the interior trim piece, but I cannot see how in the world one can get to the push button to change it out, or how to take off the door handle.

I searched but can't find a thread on it. I am sure someone has done it, and maybe it is really simple to do, but I can't figure it out.

anyone have any pics or can point me in the right direction?

thanks

[capnduane]

Door handle is held on by two clutch head screws on the inside, roll the window up to access the front one. The rear one , you need to position the window so a screwdriver will reach it. Be careful, very easy to drop the screws down into the door, where they are lost forever.... Oh ya, as you can see, I put locking button on the drivers side, and a regular button on the passengers side. I reach over and lock the right door while seated inside, and then lock drivers door from the outside.

[SCHRUMGMC]

my truck is weird, the drives door has a regular push button, but my passenger has a lock button. Makes no sense to me

[Clarance J]

Hello hplacecf. Here are a couple of pictures of the inside of the drivers door to show what you are looking for.

Ditto on what capnduane said. Those original clutch head screws can be a bear to get out without striping the head. Hope this helps some. Good luck with the lock change. I've got them on both my doors.

Earl

[Old Crow]

Originally Posted by SCHRUMGMC

my truck is weird, the drives door has a regular push button, but my passenger has a lock button. Makes no sense to me

They did it this way because back in the 50's a gentleman got out of the truck, his wife reached across and locked the drivers door from the inside, he handed his wife out of the truck and locked her door from the outside.
That's how I was taught, anyway.

[hplacecf]

thanks to all for the replies, pics, and advice.

yes, I see them now. I thought they were attached permanently somehow as I did not recognize the screw head.

I do not have that type of bit, so off to the store I go.

can anyone tell me what 'type' of clutch head screw they are (researching, it seems like there is an 'a' and a 'g'?) and their 'size'?

thanks

[Big Daddy Bear]

I ended up buying a set off ebay, less than $30.00 shipping included.

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy Bear

I ended up buying a set off ebay, less than $30.00 shipping included.

thanks.

I will look there.

[1project2many]

Old Crow... right on the money! It also allowed watching the kids as they get in and out. And it also kept the driver out of traffic. But all these reasons IMO are only to justify where Chevrolet put the button after they decided using just one would saving $$.

The people who bought GMC's were not expected to be so nice though. It was possible to get two locking buttons on the Jimmy's.

[Old Crow]

1Project. That's cuz the GMC's were supposed to be working trucks, not take the wife to town Saturday night trucks. Real "men" vs "gentlemen".

Lessee, how else can I stir up this rivalry?

[Northern lights]

Originally Posted by Old Crow

1Project. That's cuz the GMC's were supposed to be working trucks, not take the wife to town Saturday night trucks. Real "men" vs "gentlemen".

Lessee, how else can I stir up this rivalry?

No woman with class would be caught riding in a GMC. Classy women rode in Chevies

[Russell Ashley]

"But all these reasons IMO are only to justify where Chevrolet put the button after they decided using just one would be saving $$".

That's probably the same reason they only put one windshield wiper and one taillight on the older trucks. Probably very few of the original owners ever locked these trucks anyway.

[capnduane]

Ya, and one sun visor, The combination of these parts is only a few dollars, but when you add them up over thousands of trucks, you could be talking a lotta space bucks....

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy Bear

I ended up buying a set off ebay, less than $30.00 shipping included.

thanks.
I bought what appears to bb the same set.
it worked on 3 screws, but stripped the 4th (screw was kind of rusty), so I bought the 'grabit damaged screw remover' and got it out.
replaced all of the clutch head screws with phillips head screws for future convenience.

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by Clarance J

Hello hplacecf. Here are a couple of pictures of the inside of the drivers door to show what you are looking for.

Ditto on what capnduane said. Those original clutch head screws can be a bear to get out without striping the head. Hope this helps some. Good luck with the lock change. I've got them on both my doors.

Earl

thanks again for the pics. made it easier.

I lost two screws into the door when trying to get that angled screw in, so I eventually duct taped the screw to the screwdriver to get it started (switched to Phillips head),l tightened it down, and then wiggled the screwdriver and tape loose. voila.

once I had the handle off, switching out the cylinder hardware was relatively easy - except for that spring clip thing, but now I have locks on both doors and can go to the store with confidence.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Originally Posted by Old Crow

They did it this way because back in the 50's a gentleman got out of the truck, his wife reached across and locked the drivers door from the inside, he handed his wife out of the truck and locked her door from the outside.
That's how I was taught, anyway.

I just stood there and stared at it for a while, as to why it was the way it was . Guess my Great-Grandfather wanted it that way ...who knows

[Clarance J]

hplacecf, you are welcome. I used bolts on mine but had to do the tape thing also on the back bolt.

Question: On the door locks are they keyed the same or not? I got two locks so I have two keys. I know I could get them keyed alike but just went with what they sent me. The driver door key and ignition key are together. The passenger side and gas lock key are on another ring. Just curious. I'm used to it now.

Earl

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by Clarance J

hplacecf, you are welcome. I used bolts on mine but had to do the tape thing also on the back bolt.

Question: On the door locks are they keyed the same or not? I got two locks so I have two keys. I know I could get them keyed alike but just went with what they sent me. The driver door key and ignition key are together. The passenger side and gas lock key are on another ring. Just curious. I'm used to it now.

Earl

I got the matched set from lmc truck, so the same key opens both door locks.

they also sell a set where the same key can be used for doors, ignition, and glove box, but I did not see the need for that.

Gene

[tinyjaime]

If you watch the old black and white movies/programs especially in the city the driver always got out on the passengers side or side walk side. The driver slid across the seat and exited and entered on the passengers side.