Bear Claw latches and stock outside door handles ???

Hi,
as i don't have original door latches for my '46 Ford Truck,
i thought that i could use bear claw latches, but everybody seems to shave the door handles.
i don't want to do it and keep them.
Are latches availible that work?
Any ideas?
Thanks
Michael

 

they do make some that takes a square shaft handle but i have heard they never line up with the stock out side whole.

 

These bear claws are freakin awesome. They work with original door handles. I think yogis sells them. But on project33.com, I ran into the same problems they did. The window gets in the way. But check em out, they are neat. they may work for your car.

project33
project33

Nick

 

I have installed a device that is the square hole in a 2 bolt pivot ***embly[spring loaded....then a short linkage rod is used to connect IT to the bearclaw latch....sorry -I cant quote the name of company that makes em....
they are in the books for sale Im sure!
this is the best Ive found as it solves the handle location can remain stock

 

I also have an interest in keeping my stock handles as they are a part of my factory side trim. Thanks Kenny.

 

Rocky, now that is sitting good.... now really do it..

 

shouldn't you be able to find stock latches pretty easy? if you don't wanna shave it I'd leave the latches alone. I always see latches and strikers on ebay for various old cars, someone here probaly has some too. I like teh way the bear claws work since I shaved my handles, but I had a helluva time getting the drivers door lined up so it would open smoothly....

 

Thanks for the replies so far, keep them coming.

@Nick, the latches look good.

@choprods, can you explain it a little more??pics?

@SwitchBlade327, you don't find theme here(Germany) and i had no luck on ebay, either.My thought is as i have to buy them anyway, it's a good Idea to update them.

Thanks
Michael

 

With regard to the window gl*** hitting the bear claw - I simply space the entire verticle gl*** channel just enough to clear the latch. Sometimes it requires modification to the garnish molding and some sheet metal painted body color to accomplish this. If you look for it you can see it, but NOBODY every notices it on their own.

 

Actually the problem I ran into was a little different. I was able to get my gl*** to clear and just go behind it but then the gl*** is in the way of the door handle to go through to the inside of the car for an inside door handle. So ill probably just cut the square thing off the door handle so it clears the gl*** and make some rods and stuff go under the gl*** so i can get out of the car from the inside. Understand? Its kind of hard to explain.

nick

 

I know this is a late post, but I also know that the problem still exists for many car and truck enthusiasts. At Trique Manufacturing we are working to solve the problem and have already soled this issue for some vehicles with the Altman Easy Latch kit. Bolt-on kit, use stock interior and exterior handles. Also, keep your exterior door lock cylinder. We even make it easy for you to add a lock cylinder to the drivers side (some year models did not come with lock cylinders on the drivers side).