bear claw latches

I'm thinking of using bear claw latches in the doors of my 31 Chevy p/u.Can the original outside door handles be used and do I stiil have to use the dovetail?

 

Carolina Customs sells a kit so you can use the original handles.

 

yes you can, just takes some head scratchiing sometimes. Ive done it a few times, bear claws are a nice upgrade. in my opinion

 

Regarding the dovetail........those old bodies were/are subject to a lot of flexing and the dovetail, as you probably know, helped maintain door alignment. The bear clae will somewhat serve that purpose, but if it were me, and I know it isn't, I would consider retaining the dovetail. Sort of a belt and suspenders thing.

Ray

 

I was kinda hoping to do away with the dovetails,I was wondering about door alignment though.

 

mark

 

???

 

I bought some universal ones from somebody here, can be made to for most things.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=620485&highlight=bearclaw

 

I used Rocky Hinge's bear claw and inside/outside handle set in my 35 Coupe. Great customer service and product. I called to exchange something I had for a year and they said no problem and no charge to ship it to me.

 

Thanks for the replies and leads everybody.