51 3100 Dakota Digital door latch
 

Anybody used the Dakota Digital door latches? I was planning on Altman‘s at about $400 a pair. Lots of great reviews. The Dakota digital are about 70 bucks. Doesn’t seem like they make junk, I’ve got one of their gauge clusters in my 73 bronco.
Looks like their latches will take a little more work for striker plate and fab but I’m OK with that for the difference.
Will still have to figure out whether I want to use stock handles or other option.
Anybody used Dakota door latches or seen any solid reviews on them?
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Re: 51 3100 Dakota Digital door latch
 

I haven't used them but you can get the same thing a lot cheaper:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Unive...sku=91052860-L

it shows me $19 CAD each

Re: 51 3100 Dakota Digital door latch
 

you could also get something very similar without the plastic parts from any older VW. Mk1 or mk2 80s-90s rabbit, golf jetta etc. Could take a chunk of the door frame to weld in.

Re: 51 3100 Dakota Digital door latch
 

Thanks leegreen- look the same and says they have kits to include posts and strikers
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Re: 51 3100 Dakota Digital door latch
 

The deal with those is most guys who run them run shaved door handles and use actuators or solenoids to open the doors. you would have to design and fab the linkage from the door handles to the latch.

The Altmans are set up to work with stock door handles and for AD trucks they have one design for 47/51 and one for 52/55.1. I asked a while back and they can do a setup that lets you use 47/51 doors in a 52/55.1 cab without a lot of fight.

Re: 51 3100 Dakota Digital door latch
 

isn't the fight what makes it fun? you become the R&D guy. haha

Re: 51 3100 Dakota Digital door latch
 

for those that want to buy the cheap latches be carful. They may look the same but take my word there not. I put some of the cheap ones on my 55 and they would pop open as soon as you hit a bump on the road. bought the ones the ones made in the us and solved the problem. cheaper is not always the best way to go. if they are oversea production leav them there. My 2 cents

Re: 51 3100 Dakota Digital door latch
 

I don't understand what is wrong with a well working set of factory latches and tight hinges. I have owned my 53 for 43 years and put well over 100,000 miles on it, maybe 200,000 and have never had a door open by itself.

Re: 51 3100 Dakota Digital door latch
 

Duramaxx55, your experience is valuable, I called Dakota Digital and they said theirs are USA made in house and guaranteed so likely worth the extra $40 or so.
Mr48 definitely solid advice, I was thinking shave for looks and solenoid better security but considering no poppers. This is full C6 driveline and suspension, etc. kinda thinking I might fab some decent pockets in cab back edge of door like a lot of late model Corvettes have.
Mick53, just thinking claw for security in accidents as well as reducing hassle with sag my 51 handles suffer with.
Hmm, all your input keeps me thinking, I’ll let you know what ends up happening. Still figuring on steering column next step.
Thanks all for advice!
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Re: 51 3100 Dakota Digital door latch
 

Built my own, out of just bearclaws….before altmans existed i think…converted the 51 to pushbuttons and made it to lock from the inside with a pull of the handle, which even now, they say you cant do it, lol lots more pics of the complete build here..
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=428878