Bear claw vs factory door latches (50 fords)

I'm at a point on my 50 Ford that I'm deciding if I should
go with the bear claw style latches or factory.
I had an old timer tell me there's nothing wrong with the factory
style as long as the doors don't sag in which my hinges
have been rebuilt. My opinion the bear claw kits look
cheap and mostlikely Chinese made, which I can't see anything Chinese
made being reliable (see harbor freight).
I'm looking for guys with opinions that maybe
used or worked with both styles..,
Are the factory style fine? Is there a better brand
of bearclaws? Possibly any retro fits from other vehicles?

Thanks....

 

I bought a set of bear claws from this guy:

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

Good quality US made stuff with reasonable pricing.

 

The purpose of a bear claw latch is provide a positive lock on the latch in case of an accident or roll-over so the door doesn't pop open. I don't know what a 50 Ford latch looks like, if it is apositive locking type, then stay with the original. People have refit latches from late model small cars rather than the using aftermarket latches.

 

49 style was kinda ****ty, so much so, they were redesigned in 50.

50 aint bad, if it works keep it, unless you're shaving handles, then I would think about bear claw.

Rich

 

I took a fast turn in a '55 F-100 and the p***enger door flew open. Luckily there wasn't a p***enger. The thought of what could've happened has scared me to install bear claw latches in any old car I build.
If Japanese parts are out of the question, let me suggest German. I get VW Jetta III latches, and strikers out of the bone yard for about $5.00. They're strong, dependable, and if you want them, you can even get them with child proof levers.

 

Thanks for the info man!

Thats good to know,think Im making the switch,Thanks


Thnaks for the replys fellas!

 

Keeping my 51 door latches and strikers

 

I have Bear Claw on my Chevy and they work great. So if it's good enough for a Chevy it's good enough for a FORD........

 

Good thread! Were the 51 latches an improvement on the improved 50 latches?

Andy.

 

Not sure but they work great and they have the original look.

 

TRIQUE Mfg makes their own bear claw latches - they used to buy them from a wholesaler, who it turns out, got them from China. After they had a failure that was directly linked to the quality of the latch, they quit buying them, and started manufacturing them (right here in the USA)

 

i got mine from him too.
when i shut my doors
they stay shut.
good product for a fair price.

 

i agree with some others, the '49 ****ed so it was improved in '50. if yours are in good shape, there fine. p.s. much improved avatar!

 

If you clean off all the 60 year old grease and lube them up, the 50s latches are good. The doors need to be in proper alignment and lube the latches with graphite. I've used both, and its easier to clean and condition the old than modify for the new. If you have to buy new, get the usa made bear claws. All the reproduction **** ****s.

 

the 50 latches are fine when properly adjusted.if your gonna shave the handles thy don't work worth a ****.i had em i know.change them to the small bear claws and they will pop every time.

 

just fitted some Altman Easy latches to a 40 Ford tudor...they work pretty good but if I was doin it again I'd use some from the junkyard.The kit left a lot to be desired.
just my .02

 

if you can buy repops or good used ones for your shoe box, and you can, you won't end up with the super tacky looky when the upholstery goes in and they work good and are a bolt in, my 2$ worth.

 

the springs in the stock door latches fail because of the age. I someone supplies a rebuilt version with new springs.. get them. I have installed bear claws in '51 ford. where the strike is in the "B" pillar you have to make it flush. The door side need lots of modification. If you go with the bear claw definitely get the install kit with them. Also make sure to get the double latch not the single latch. The single latches are for trunks

 

I used "bear claw latches" in addition to the stockers on my 39 via a "bellcrank" linkage setup.

This allowed me an easy mount for my door handles and the safety of modern latches.

Incidentally, "bear claw" latches are simply "re-branded" latches that had used in big trucks for a long, long, time.

 

I installed bear claws in my 55 Ford. The p***enger door flew open one to many times. Much safer with the bear claws plus it was easy to install remote door openers. Replaced the latches on my two 54 ford with latches from 80's plymouth Horizons. Got them at pick-n-pull for $2.00 each. Them work much smoother then bear claws. Just my two cents

 

ive been wanting to change out the latches on my 53..it looks real close to the gl*** though,,, did you have any issues?

 

I have installed the Aultman latches in 3 AD Chevy trucks...WOW, what a difference. They go in easy, fit well and work great. They are all made in the USA.

 

I Have used vw latches and subaru electric window regulators from salvage yards for years on many projects w/no problems easy inexpensive and reliable

 

Junk yard.... 20$ max.

 

Nice latches!!!

36$ WOW!!!

 

This is the link to the latches I sell. You will not find better quality or better price. Made in USA by an OEM supplier, certified to DOT standards. I have had several people buy mine to replace ****ty made in China latches that did not work well. You will not be disappointed. Just PM if interested. OK, done with the sales pitch.

The main advantage to the bear claw style latches is they are a two-position and positive closing latch. The doors will close real easy with just a slight push, no slamming like stock latches need. No dovetails and other problems that stock latches have. You can leave your outer handle hooked up, but the problem is the bear claw latches are not locking. Most people go with solenoids to pop the doors open from outside. Leave the stock handle that is fixed position if you want, or shave the door. The inner handle can be hooked up with minor fabrication to the bear claw latch.

Will the stock latches work if you rebuild them? Yes, but the bear claw style latches will be more secure and safer.

 

maybe we got a bad pair..who knows they do shut nice enough now. but we had to machine the striker pins down a bit just to get them fitting in the latch in the closed position. Poss chinese made not sure. and most of the screws and nylocks supplied were wrong ie too short or wrong threads jeeezzz again I'd go source some from the wreckers yard

 

Chevy G-vans, the 96 and back type, have a fairly narrow latch mechanism that would adapt to older cars - they might be easier to find in some areas than other older cars.

I would avoid using ones from the 97-up vans, though - #1 because the power lock is integral and p***enger vans have been a lot less common in the junkyards than work vans, and #2 because they're plastic and made in Mexico - and I see a lot of work vans with doors bolted shut or tied shut because the latch has failed somehow. Which is too bad because they're equally compact, if not moreso.

 

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I got these Bear Claws through Juliano's. I realise a 41 Plym is not the same car, but I want a positive locking system with safety in mind. my 2c.