installation of bear claw latches in 1953

[53lochevy]

Ok guy here's some of the pics of the new latch that I have come up with for the bear claw latches using the orginal door handles. First layout the door in the same location as the old stock latches where as shown on the pic, take your time in laying out and the cut out before the line and grind to line nice and neat. Once door has been fitted with the bear claw latch plate u can start to work on the latch itself. Materials needed for install set of small bear claw latches, 2- 3/8 plates from loews by the steel section for the latches, 1 box of door clips from O'reillys, 2- 125 bolts with sleeves and washers, 2 nylon nuts, and the old springs out of the stock latches, wire handle from a 5 gal plastic can for the linkage. Get a template made in the shape you see in the pic or ask and I'll send ya one copied from mine one works for both sides, cut out door latches, bend as to pic shown and drill holes as shown also in pic. Once latches have been cut and bend to fit get one of the bolts and weld in place as shown in pic, next drill small hole as shown in pic for the spring to insert into, place on washer on bolt then place new latch then another washer then take old spring and bend a 90 angle as shown in pic then insert 90 into hole as shown in pic and bend the other end behind latch as shown place last washer on top followed by the nylon nut and tighten not to tight must move freely. Next get 2 door clips and insert into hole on bear claw latch and the new latch, take wire from handle 5 gal can and cut you a piece, bend 90 in vice and place in one hole measure and bend 90 in other end be sure to hold the bear claw latch down tight not to release the latch just to take the slack out of latch and measure bend in 90 and install and secure door clips to wire and there you have it guys the right way and not a butchered product or cover up nice and neat. just my opinion Enjoy

[53lochevy]

more pics

[53lochevy]

last of the pics

[53lochevy]

This assembly is also all removable from the door once the bear claw plate is welded to the door. The linkage needs to be on the other side of the latch and bearclaw not on the inside, must have got in a hurry to take pics. Nice

[53lochevy]

will have some shots of the truck with the bagged mustang II installed in it and will post the final install once in the door on monday

[TheEstablishment]

Looks really slick!

Do you have any plans for door locks? I'm planning on putting bear claws in my truck and I keep running into door lock issues. I would like to keep everything manual but wouldn't mind electric locks.

[53lochevy]

Going to use the original door handles inside and outside I like chrome to much, plus these handles on the 53 are the push kind not he crank 90 handle in earlier models.

[TheEstablishment]

Yeah, they look too nice to shave 'em.

so you're just gonna use the push button lock to lock the truck? My '49 GMC has already been converted to the push button, so I guess that would be the simplest solution.

[53GMC]

I love this concept and is one i might try in the future...where did you get the piece i have circled in the picture? did it come with the set of bear claw latches you have?
Thanks

[solidaxel]

Thank You!
Very well made, I am storing that for later use !!
Now on with the windshield wiper bracket !!

[dodgeman501]

i would like to get a copy of the templet u used for this if u have one or if any body else has onme or something close to it
thanks

[4DSEVEN]

Looks awesome!! Nice work.

I would like a copy of the template too please.

I have my shaved door kit but haven't got a chance to really check things out just yet.

[b-mac]

OP never answered questions. Did you guys get your templates? I'm about to get into this and need to decide a direction.

[_Ogre]

the op hasn't posted since 2013

[sqweaka]

ive just bought a pair of these bear claw latches to convert my 49 with and ive just found this post... how does this even work.. the part of the latch where the wire is connected to (circled in red in one of the above pictures) needs to be pulled down by the wire to operate the latch not inward as shown in the second picture in post 3, pulling it inward wont make the latch open! well it wont on mine and they look exactly the same as the ones pictued