Customs autoloc bearclaw.???

I have read some bad stuff on here, about the parent company... But I want to buy the whole install kit with some kind of bearclaw latch.[ suicide the doors] any opinions or suggestions. thanks. They seem to be the only ones selling bearclaws on ebay.???

 

i dont know if there is any other cheap alternatives to the autoloc stuff. maybe junk yard latches but idk any other options

 

I'm installing a set of their latches. They seem to be built OK.
Many of the products they sell are pretty poor.

 

I just installed a set in a '41 Ford, seem good to me.

 

I have them on my truck and they work great! Never have heard anything bad about them yet.

 

I installed a set of their "large" bearclaws on my truck. They are built well, and work fine.

 

Buy the bear claws anywhere except Auto Loc.

 

You could try Rocky Hinge - very helpful people and good quality products.

www.rockyhinge.com

 

I like Watson's Street Works in CT, there msde is totally complete, every wire end, cable, hardware is there and very high quality google watsonstreetworks, nice helpful people too. A small mom and pop place, Steve and his wife Carol and maybe one or two employees.

 

they are actually some type of "utility latch?" pm SinisterCustom because i think he knows about them.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=392263

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412693

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426379

There ya go... their suspension stuff is crap as are their gauges. Definitely buyer beware.

 

I second Rocky hinge. They have bear claw latches with the solenoid built in so you only have to mount 1 thing in your door. I have put them in 2 vehicles and they work great.

 

i have the large bear claws in my doors, the quality is not as good as i thought it would be, i have had to make a repair on the right door, they are about one and a half year old

 

You replied to the dude about the "parent company" and then you can't even remember. You're not very bright. Yes they make that crap. Get a clue already.

 

zman;
Since I put you on my ignore list earlier today(you alone, are there), I can’t read your post because at the bottom of the thread it says;
“This message is hidden because zman is on your ignore list”
Since it’s obvious that you get all worked up every time you see my shadow I suggest you save yourself some grief and do likewise………. Have a good life. 29nash

Update. I got wishy-washy, took you off 'ignore', then you came back with more of your petty bullshit, so you are back on again. Just can't stand your boring disrespect of people that do it for themselves and don't hire you to do it.

 

awesome... now if we could only stop you from posting drivel.

 

We have an ignore list? Cool, did not know that. Now I can save myself from your proprietary knowledge.

Had a few dealings with this "parent company" line of prodocts. Particularly, the Zirgo fans and controllers come through my door. No where near the advertised CFM rating and just didn't work all that great. Quality was about on par for Harbor Freight type equipment.

Does that mean the latches are of the same quality, no. But I have a hard time supporting a company with such a track record and obvious penchant to outsource my entire hobby and livelihood "offshore" if you catch my drift.

 

I guess my first signature line applies here...

 

Re: "Bear Claw" type latches

Check this company ..actually they are known as Rotary Latches..Tracked them down from the name on some latches that were in my Track T project... May have to replace what I have ..Don't know if you can buy direct from TriMark..may have to buy from a Distributor

http://www.trimarkcorp.com/en/Index.aspx

Stan

 

I've used the ones made by TriMark and they're nice.

When you look for bear claw latches, look for the ones where the holes in the latch are tapped. It makes for a cleaner and simpler installation than the ones that just have through-holes that need nuts and bolts to hold them on. In really tight installations, you might not even have room to use nuts on the backside at all. It's a good idea to use some Lock-tite on the bolts that hold the latch in place on the door (since they tend to eventually wiggle loose without it).

 

I thank you all, very much...great place to get this kind of info..

 

Autoloc is the WalMart of the street rod aftermarket (well Speedway too).

They (the Hoffman Group) are sleazes who take everyone else's product, make a direct copy of it offshore, and sell it for half price yet advertise the same specs. Every bit of what they sell is a direct rip off of Lokar, Carolina Custom, Vintage Air, Ididit, etc. And it's all junk.

Rant over.

 

I've not had ANY issues with my Bearclaws yet........yet? damn
Nonetheless, no issues.

 

sounds like "save your money" and find another option. aren't the rotary latches the type used on the sliding door of some delivery trucks?

 

I've used a M-G midget (1970'ish) latch bear claw type on my model A they are only 5/8 inch thick,2 1/2 wide and 4 3/4 long and I was able to modify the outside model A door handle to work and used the inside M-G handle to open it. Got a set off -bay for $15.00 also got the door glass to function with a little fab work. Its been 2 years and still works fine.

 

The ones in a cavalier or sunfire look pretty close to this design.

 

GO to an implement or heavy equiptment dealer. Thats what the first enterprising reseller did. They are found iin big trucks, tractors, loaders etc........

 

hmm, I just happen to have one of their suicide door kits for sale for cheap in the classifieds.
You may even talk me out of the latches. PM me.
Sorry had to do that.
The latch systems seems pretty stout and thought out. (of course this is a set I have had for over 6 years and never installed) so they may have changed since then. The suicide kit I have is also as old. It is the 2 door self aligning systems. Once again it appears very stout, operates freely. I have never had the opportunity to check alignment though.

 

I believe Turbo26T is right, search for Rotary Latches. TriMark and Southco are a couple of the manufacturers. I bought a set of Bear Claws (whick work great) and showed them to my dad. He works on ambulances and had the very same latch on the shelf in his shop. He paid a fraction of what I did for them...

 

i used to work at a Freightliner dealership, they had and stocked 6 or more sizes, styles, strikers as well. any big truck shop , large truck stop w / service bays or body builder ( the kind who install boxes on work trucks ) will stock them and they are ment to be heavy duty, more so than other types possibly.

if you go near a freightshaker dealer, ask them to show you a setup from a "classic" cab.

pricing as i recall was not too bad.

hope it helps.

My 2 c worth,
Derek