47-54 Chevy Truck Doors Tech Tip

Follow along as I fix the door latch relays in Ol’ Smokey.

[@decosse01]

Thanks for steering me here - that really was a great find on those door relays!

[@decosse01]

p.s. I just found an Ebay Bearclaw kit for these at $110 - Chinese knock-off no-doubt; the adapter plate isn't all shaped nicely to conform to the door like the Altman - you gotta wonder though ..... 😆

[@HotRodDad]

Thanks again for watching, and good luck on those doors.

[@charleskoehler9873]

Regarding the inverted door mechanism- In the original configuration the door was released by moving the interior handle forward. This was deemed to be too dangerous, as it was very easy to release the door accidentally. The fix was to flip the mechanism upside down thereby causing the door to be released by pulling the handle back. ( handle in 6 o’clock position ) It would have been nice for Chevrolet to retool that inner door sheet metal to keep that long transfer bar in a recess , but apparently they took the cheap route by gluing spacers to the inner door panel to prevent binding with the cosmetic interior panel in place.

[@HotRodDad]

I’m not sure why the answer was not to just rotate the door handle to the 1:00 position, and pull the handle back to open.

[@tomference4618]

Great!

[@robert4005]

Most excellent as per usual.

[@no-mc8fs]

Informative as usual.

[@jasonboatner825]

Heard they had safety issues with handles being bumped and popping door open and this was their solution

[@dandrake1372]

I did the altman change over and works great on my 51 gmc. Good info. Thanks

[@HotRodDad]

It’s a great kit and far superior to the originals. Thanks for watching!

[@vm722]

Wow I have a few ot those latches. I will have to check out

[@MarksGarageChannel]

Great information. Thank you

[@HotRodDad]

Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@drdjh2003]

good information.

[@HotRodDad]

Thanks for watching!

[@Volfandt]

Enjoyed the tech tip & video. There's a couple head scratchers with these old AD trucks but they've stood the test of time and GM addressed them as they progressed on down the line. Wonder if you put the right side 63 remote on the left side would the handle face down like the original did? I may take your fix and experiment more. Good tip, Carry On.

[@HotRodDad]

There’s a number of different ways to do it. There’s several ways to do it. Once you get hands on, it will be easy to determine how you want to do it. Thanks for watching!

[@andymckown8555]

Very informative, i ordered the 64-66 part great tip. I still can not get my 51 drivers side door to lock even with new latch assembly. Not sure what i have wrong on my setup, any additional tips or video suggestions would be appreciated.

[@HotRodDad]

You’re ‘51 should have the turn down door handles, unless the doors have been changed. They’re a whole lot more challenging to get the door locks operational. That being said, most people I know don’t even bother hooking them up. Sorry for the non answer, but it sounds like something I’d have to see in person.

[@jayschuon8330]

Does the interior lock still work, when you push the handle the opposite direction? Or is that part of the latch mechanism?

[@joshtonry4291]

So This was an awesome video. Im working on 53 Chevy COE and i love the upgrades you did. Im definitely going to do the same thing to my Cab Over. Can you tell me about the striker, did the striker come with the bear claw latches? Was there some sort of striker plate? This was awesome for upgrades for my truck. Neither of my doors latch shut. Thankyou

[@HotRodDad]

Hey, thanks for watching! The striker and plate both come in the kit.

[@martyscncgarage5275]

Did you upgrade the outside door handles to push button? I have a 50 COE with droopy lever handles.

[@HotRodDad]

No, I used the originals. The kit will fix the droopy handles.

[@morganmead5413]

Do you have any tips for putting the interior door window molding back on, i can never get them to go back on the way they come off

[@HotRodDad]

Don’t tighten anything up until you’ve started all your screws. I have a small awl that I use to line the screws up.

[@pelonconstante6271]

Do the 64-66 straps attach fairly well to the original latches ? I planned to do the Altmans but not yet

[@HotRodDad]

I've not tried them with the original latches, but I have seen others use them. I'm only assuming it can work, but I don't know for sure.

[@pelonconstante6271]

@@HotRodDad thanks I’m gonna try it 👍🏽

[@charlespartak2435]

Crossville...Alabama?

[@HotRodDad]

Tennessee

[@johndawson5652]

Is the 63 - 66 s bolt on exact

[@HotRodDad]

It’s a near bolt on. I had to file the holes just a tiny bit.

[@williepelzer384]

REGULATER, REGULATER!!!!?

[@HotRodDad]

Huh?

[@williepelzer384]

@@HotRodDad a relay is an electric device!

[@HotRodDad]

@@williepelzer384, you don’t say. A regulator, spelled with an “O” is to roll the window up and down. A door “relay” is the mechanism that opens the door as per GM circa 1950. Just look it up in any of the parts catalogs. BTW, I have 35 years experience as an industrial electrician, specializing in motor controls. I’m well aware of what a relay is as it pertains to electrical applications.

[@williepelzer384]

@@HotRodDad sorry man never heard it called that. I have my dad's 1950 he bought new . I restored it 30 years ago , it was always kept in the garage. All original almost everything, drove it last weekend. Wish I could send you pictures. So I probably have more experience than you on a 1950 cuz I was born in 1954!!! 🤔 Been driving it when I was seven years old 😂