Hatch latch ideas?
 

Anybody got an idea for an alternative way to latch your tops rear hatch down (pics too, if possible)? Mine never worked anyway & was missing the pieces that bolt inside on the top. So when I was repairing all the busted fiberglass, I cut the handle off because the bolts wouldn't budge & everything else was rusted together. Anyway, what can I do besides a bungi cord or duct tape :confused:

Re: Hatch latch ideas?
 

I wanna see also

Re: Hatch latch ideas?
 

Just brainstorming late tonight about this idea. I know it isn't anything close to being original, but what about this locking latch for the middle
http://img.nauticexpo.com/images_ne/photo-g/55403.jpg

And some hardware on the sides somewhat like these to keep the sides in place?
http://img.nauticexpo.com/images_ne/photo-g/55396.jpg

http://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/south...514-55394.html
any other ideas? Not sure how the side hardware disengages. I was looking for the kinds that you push to lock and then push again to unlock, but this one seems to have a sliding lever used to unlock the latches.

Re: Hatch latch ideas?
 

I bought a couple of jeep style rubber hood latches with the intention of going low-tech and putting one each sideways on the lower corners but thought better of it after mocking it up.....:alky:

Re: Hatch latch ideas?
 

The guy I bought my jimmy from talked about a guy who repaired his with garage door latch parts. Said it worked better than the original.

Re: Hatch latch ideas?
 

This is what I ended up using. It's not the cleanest option, but works great and only $5 each from Lowes. I wouldn't dare use this on a show truck, however it works great for this gravel roads/mud bucket!

Re: Hatch latch ideas?
 

I guess that will work OK. At least until the drip edge breaks off. I think you should go into a topper store or some place that sells truck camper tops. Open the hatch on one of those that has a single handle in the middle & you'll be kicking yourself for drilling holes into the exterior of you hatch. All you'd need is a plate, (to replace the hole in the end where the factory latch is at), with a hole in if to locate the rod.

Sounds harder than it is.

Later,
Buddy