Pickup door latch questions

W

wrndln

Well-known member
I was browsing through eBay model A stuff and found a pair of new 28/29 CC pickup latches for sale. The price seems reasonable at $135 a pair. I like to use original parts that are repaired and restored, however if these latches are as good as originals, I might give them a try. My first question is: has anyone purchased and installed the new latches? If so, how was the quality and did they work well? I think they are made by an Australian company. Second, are round head machine screws used to install the latches in the door as shown? I was surprised that the picture in the eBay listing showed round head screws as I always thought most model A latches were installed with countersunk flathead screws. I realize the doors and latches were originally for model T's and maybe they used roundhead screws and that were carried over to the 28/29 pickups.
Rusty Nelson


Newpickuplatchinstalled.jpg
 
I just bought a set but haven't received them as yet.
My existing ones are installed with flat head screws. Will give you a heads up on the one's ordered when they are delivered.
I have a post about the door lock. Would you be of any help?
 
Thanks Joe and Gary. I suspected the mounting screws were flathead. My 29 CCPU is in bad condition and don't trust the way the worn out latches are installed. I just noticed the picture in the eBay listing that had roundhead mounting screws and they didn't look right.
Rusty Nelson
 
I am sure that oval head screws are used for the two side screws and flat head screws for the two door panel screws for the 82-A closed cab door locks (latches).
 

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Neil,
Ovalhead screws are very close to flathead screws in function. The ovalhead screws on the end of the latches are almost certainly correct. It appears the latch in your picture is untouched since the truck as originally assembled, except there appears to be some wear on the heads of the screws. The screws look original. The two inside screws are probably flatheads since the upholstery panel covers them. Thanks for posting the picture, I will save it for when I assemble the pickup.
Rusty Nelson
 
Thanks again for confirming what Neil stated above, it must be right - ovalhead on the ends and flatheads on the inside.
Rusty Nelson
 
Rusty,
Just wanted to let you to know I received the repo latch (lock) assemblies and will send photos and evaluation within a few days or so.
 
Hi Rusty,
I’ve looked at the Latch (lock) assemblies. Along with the following, if I can attach some photos to this post, you will have something to judge the quality of the reproductions.
First, the screws shown in your photo are supplied with the assemblies. They are a ¼-20 round head and are matched to the thread of the mounting holes of the assembly for the inside of the cab. As Neil stated above, the correct screw should be a slotted raised oval which I believe should be a #9 11/64 x ¾. This is a problem for the traditionalist but for others that also have 11/64 thread in the door.
Photo 1 is the right side lock assembly, my original and 2 is the reproduction.
The cam in the lower left hand corner of the reproduction is for the safety lock and it solves my problem, mine was missing.
If you look at the reproduction, the latching mechanism is a little different in configuration but the main quality problem is the hinge pin, as can be seen, not fully seated!
Photo 3 is of the latch. As can be seen, the fold of the material does not match cut side and leaves a gap. Also the cut of the opening is not straight. Again for traditionalist this could be a problem.
Just a note for those of you with door latch (lock) problems. The safety lock cylinder is held in place with a #9 11/64 x ¼ set screw.
Hope this helps!
Have a good one
Gary
 

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Additionally the left side latch (lock) assembly is not like my origional and will not lock!
I'm going to send them back.
 
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Gary H,
Thanks for posting a response with pictures. Over all, do you think the quality is good and does the latch operate well? I have heard that repro open car latches use a to powerful spring and the latch is hard to open.
Rusty Nelson
 
Hi Rusty,
No on the quality. I'm sending these back. You never know, I might have received a bad set.
They appear to operate as far as opening the door although I did notice that the latch did not retract as much as my origional. The latch spring is not any more than my original. The major problems that I found is, unlike my origional, the left side has no locking function, the locking mechanisim for the right side, which was the primary reason I bought them, didn't work. The door face mounting holes of the latch did not line up with with the threads in the door and would have to be elongated.
Good luck on what you end up doing.
If you know of someone with a right side latch that they want to get rid of, please let me know.
Have a good one,
Gary
 
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