Call me crazy, but I learned something today. Thought I would share it with y'all. As I drove down the road, my doors would rattle pretty bad. I just chocked it up to its just an old truck.well finally, I bought new latches and striker plates. Still rattled. well I adjusted them until I gave up. The door closed ok, but it rattled as I drove down the road. I continued to adjust the to no avail. I the broke out the grinder and widened the bolt slots in the strikers. I continued to move the striker in and further in.
Well today, I drove to an old body shop in town where the only worker is 71 years young. He has a yard full of vintage cars/ trucks and works 7 days a week because he loves it.
I explained my problem to him and he walked out to take a look. He said those doors are not supposed to rattle. Well, he opened the doors and tripped the latch. Then he continued to push the latch until it tripped again. " what", I didnt know it had two positions. I said wow, I didn't know it tripped twice. He looked at me and said you have your striker adjusted in to far. He explained that the first catch position was a " dead mans latch" to keep the door from flying open. He said the next position was actually the latched closed position.
He then went into his shop and returned with a clutch head screwdriver. I knew then that I was at the right place. He adjusted the striker out and shut the door. It caught on the second trip of the latch. The first time I guess that it has ever. Well, he wasn't satisfied. He adjusted it again and holy cow. The door shut all the way, flush with the body. And no rattle. I was amazed. Well a quick trip to adjust the other side, and I was fixed up. Maybe 15 minutes total. As I thanked him and offered to pay, he stated help someone else out just as I've helped you. I enjoy seeing these trucks on the road. Keep up with the maintenance and you will enjoy this thing for a lifetime.
I know this story is long, but maybe some of you will take the time to read it and learn as I did to adjust the doors on your advance design truck.
Did I mention that I love my 54.
