Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

image dynamics and zapco, sounds like you are an old school car audio guy too. I had a zapco 500.1 mono about 20 years ago, bought it from a dead stock store closing, so it was at least 5 years old then. zeff stuff is amazing quality.

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

I dabbled in car audio back in 1990-1994. One of my neighbors had an audio shop, and I hung out to learn what I could. Did a lot of free installs and sub boxes for friends. Back then, I couldn't afford the "high end" stuff. I had Profile amps and subs, RockfordFosgate components, MTX electronic crossover. I'm just starting to get back into it. I want to hurry up and get this truck painted, just so I can do the audio install!



Door latch mods.

My dad had an extra set of generic bear claw latches that I decided to use. I'll start by saying, I will never do this again. Next build (if ever), I will cut some out from a modern car in the junk yard, like a honda civic.

Two reasons I did not use the altman latches. 1 - the price $$$. 2 - I don't like how the striker bolt sticks out that far from the jamb. So, me being me, I had to re-invent the wheel and do it my way.

Bear claws do not have a lever for external door handles. With lots of errors... I finally came up with a lever that trips the release mechanism.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...cac618de_c.jpg

Viewed from the top, the new lever is the bent one, which hits the release mechanism.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...55def071_c.jpg

From this side, the external handle button hits the pad on the new lever.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1894/...a6b1260a_c.jpg

I had to modify the leverage ratio and location of this lever to hook up to the stock inside handle pull.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1842/...bcabff9a_c.jpg

Installed:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1865/...05688c9b_c.jpg

Note, there is a cable hanging out the opening. That attaches to the stock rod, to manually pull the door lock mechanism any time the inside handle is pulled. This activates the electric lock solenoid which triggers the other door. So, opening either door from the inside will unlock both doors.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1845/...e765a47e_c.jpg

There is an electric solenoid mounted to a bracket inside the door.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1870/...d55a8ab5_c.jpg

Here, you can see the other end of the cable that manually un-locks the door.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...d8f7d5ec_c.jpg

I feel that these door latches SHOULD be locked when driving. They are way too sensitive, and will trip if hit hard. Therefore why I chose to use electric locks. The hot rod vendors sell electric lock kits that cost a fortune. The better alternative is to buy a car alarm that can activate electric locks. They can be had for $45-$75, and you have the benefit of an alarm system, and anti-theft options. When the vehicle is shifted into DRIVE, the electric locks activate. To unlock from the outside, simply push a button on the key fob. To unlock from the inside, pull the handle.

Once the truck is done and driving, I want to design a system that will also LOCK the doors via pushing the inside door handles forward. I have designed it on paper, but don't have time right now to engineer it and make it work. Basically it will use a second set of door lock actuators in a push/pull configuration to move the door handle forward to lock.

These are the actuators I used. When one is manually moved, it will trigger all four.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

Next, I had to cut out an area for the door panels to fit over the protruding latches. Leaving a little bit of material to cover the front side.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...fede1565_c.jpg

There is a little gap between the latch and the panel.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1896/...e8cdef71_c.jpg

A piece of sheet metal was added to the inside as filler, and stiffen the panel where it meets the latch.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...a1daa742_c.jpg

Trimmed and added a welded bead to the edge.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...db6f5fcc_c.jpg

Finished:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1897/...bf4ed21a_c.jpg

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

Very nice work!

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

good googly moogly thats some fine fabricating

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

Fantastic work!

-Joe

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

very nice, Ive been putting off the bear claws, but Iam rapidly coming to that point in my build that I have to do them.... I too have a hard time paying $350 for altman.... still not sure which way to go yet ... but I will have to decide in the next few weeks... You did a great job.. looks great

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

um....is that a small scratch in the finish.....? lol.
nice fab work!
I, like you next time, will probably modify something from a modern vehicle that already has provisions for all the door handles, power locks, external key activation, interior door lock spindle etc. if I am going to modify something I want it to be something easily sourced at a wrecker. i would modify the truck around the new part. thats just me though.

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

Thanks for the comments!
Slammed, like dsraven said, I think that is the best answer. With the Altman latches, you are paying for time and convenience. Someone else has already done the engineering. I know you have the skill to make other latches work. It is a balance time vs $$$.

Meanwhile, with that said... I was looking at how bad of shape my bed is. I ordered a new bed from Mar-K during their recent sale. This project has gone on long enough, and it's time to get it done. I have nothing to prove by spending 3+ months fixing the old bed. In this case, $ wins over time.

Otherwise, I have made no progress on the truck.

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

thats a pretty good idea with the welding wire for fishin it back up the window post, the inner fenders came out nice bud.

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

on the 6th picture down, did you fabricate the little pannel that the bear claw bolts to?

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

For the most part, yes. The claws come with a mounting bracket. I relocated the holes so the claws dont stick out when they're open. Then shaped them to mount on the door.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1894/...a8b7d285_c.jpg

I had to clearance the door. Added 1/4-20 rivnuts for the mounts.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1855/...56c39b6b_c.jpg

Another pic installed:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...c6c5ccee_c.jpg

Give me a few days, and I will add pictures of the door jamb mods on the cab.

Browse around your local pick and pull. All door latches are bear claw type, and will have an external trigger. You will have to custom fit a mounting bracket, anyway.

These are what I was going to buy until my dad offered up this set. They don't have an external trigger, either.
http://www.hotrodlatches.com/default.asp

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

You my friend are good!!!

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

Thanks!

Here's the door jamb mods:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1844/...364ae6db_c.jpg
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...26389f77_c.jpg

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

I got to go hang out and see this truck in person, it looks good up close too. Glad I got to come meet you and talk shop for a while...

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

looking good!

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

Hey Rod, it was good to meet you!

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

Great work! Will have to borrow the shoulder belt mount idea!!

:uhmk:

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

Great fab work I can appreciate the work being done. Keep posting the pics worth more than words!

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

This is absolutely Awesome....You do OUTSTANDING work

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

The 9 month kitchen remodel is done!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...da281499_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...86deee1d_c.jpg

Now, back to your irregularly scheduled programming.
https://live.staticflickr.com/1877/2...894b85ea_c.jpg

Good stuff is about to happen... :metal:

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

looks great..!!

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

Kitchen came out nice, ready for the return of truck progress...Jim

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

After hundreds of hours of metal work, I think this is as good as I'm capable of getting it.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f56bfc57_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f2649892_c.jpg

Re: The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.
 

that thing just looks mean as a mad bull sitting there