Door latch rebuild. Finding parts

ActionYobbo

ActionYobbo

Senior Member
On my 39 truck I started rebuilding the door latches. I did the passengers side first and it was easy with just a bit of welding to repair the worn surfaces. Now the drivers side. It needs more welding to fix the worn surfaces and it was missing the anti rattle spring plate (see pic). Where can I get this part? Or do I need to get another latch for parts?
Thanks

I need the part circled in red.
This is not my picture I found this picture on the internet and used it to show what I need.
 

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ActionYobbo said:
On my 39 truck I started rebuilding the door latches. I did the passengers side first and it was easy with just a bit of welding to repair the worn surfaces. Now the drivers side. It needs more welding to fix the worn surfaces and it was missing the anti rattle spring plate (see pic). Where can I get this part? Or do I need to get another latch for parts?
Thanks

I need the part circled in red.
If this is not my picture I found this picture on the internet and used it to show what I need.
Click to expand...
541488
 
I am building a 1939 1 ton express truck.
I see them latches for $300 and up but that’s a chunk of change to get a part as most of the ones forsale are passenger sides so the only part that would be usable in the drivers side would be the spring plate and keeper.
 
While you’re looking. Look some different year model Ford latches. I rebuilt my 32 latches from parts of other unknown year latches.
 
325w said:
While you’re looking. Look some different year model Ford latches. I rebuilt my 32 latches from parts of other unknown year latches.
Click to expand...

What’s bugging me is I have seen a very similar piece of spring steel but I can’t remember what it was on. My mind says disc brake pads so I have been searching various disc brakes trying to find the anti rattle plate to see if I can make what I need. The part is simple and if I can find a suitable piece to make it from.
 
1. You will have to find a donor part for the spacer, or make one. I suggest phosphor-bronze spring material, McMaster-Carr would be a source, also many hobby shops catering to the train and RC plane crowd may have some.


2. 1938-1947 commercial and truck 1/2 ton and up (including cabover) all used the same latches for the front (or only) doors.
 
Made one from a disc brake pad retainer.
Will see how it holds up
 

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The spring plate is working good. It’s keeping pressure on and the door has been opened and shut around 100 times since the rebuild so I would say it’s successful so far
 
Those springs are readily available. They are used in most early FORD door latches. I have even used them in C1 Corvettes.
 
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