So it is time to get the doors working properly on my 2 door sedan. I have no door latch assemblies at all. All I can find is 5 window coupe assemblies. Does anybody know if these can be modified to work? I assume maybe just lengthening the rod from the handle to the latch may be all that is needed?
The latches are all the same. the only difference might be the length of the remote rod like you thought.
So, has anybody tried the United Pacific assemblies? They are listed as 1932 Ford 5 window coupe only. If they are truly all the same it appears at least the truck has a different part number. I called United Pacific and they said 5 window coupe only, but I don't think the guy was very knowledegable on the phone. If it's just a matter of lengthening the remote rod I would think that could be done?
So what are you working on now? First was a 34 tudor, but now which car/truck? All 32 latches are way wrong for a 34 tudor.
Bit of self serving answer, if you decide to go with bear claw style latches, get hold of me and i can help you out. www.hotrodlatches.com
I have nothing for latches so I still would need the assemblies to actuate them unless you make those too?
Original 34 latches look like this. These are the later style, center inside handles. The 33 & early 34 have front mounted inside handles and use different inside door skins.
There are two different latches for 34 Fords....Early cars have the handle at the front of the door and later ones have the handle in the center of the doors...
I do not sell the stock inner or outer handles. My latches replace the stock door latches, but not bolt in. Then you need to fabricate the linkage to connect the handle motion to operate the latch.
I have a pair of door latches for a tudor they are the later style like johnboy34 posted above that would let go
I know 1 of my doors is a 33 and the other was a 34. The extra steel on the 34 window opening has been removed to match the 33. Sorry for my ignorance but how do I tell if I have the early or late style 34? Can someone post a pic of the interior panel differences? Can I make the later style latches work on early style doors? If so 31aford, yes I would be interested.
As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. I would guess I have the early 34 door and the 33 door. They look way different than yours. So I would be better off finding the earlier latches or go with bear claws and completely fabricate something.. I was hoping to avoid the fabrication after just re-chopping the top,,,,,,,kind of burned me out. Thanks for your help 31aford. this is why I am on here. If I knew everything I wouldn't be!
Original latches work with original inner door panels, original outside handles, original strikers, original dovetails, original lock cylinder, etc. Bear Claw latches would require custom fabrication in all those aspects.
I wish I could recall from where I found these photos and the description of the process, nor do I recall the author. Whom ever he is, he’s quite the resourceful craftsman. He had one latch, which he disassembled and made a mirror image from to create a latch for the other side. If you can locate even a crappy latch, perhaps you do do the same and make a pair of new latches for your car. Hopefully, these photos will help anyone wanting to take on such a project.
The Jalopy Journal
