Those locks haven't really received a lot of attention here over the years but on other forums they do come up from time to time. Here's my take and what experience has taught me:
1. if you rebuild the original locks in your doors or buy new locks and striker plates your doors will shut really nicely if (and only if) you follow number 2 below
2. if you purchase 7/16" thick weatherstrip and you have good hinges without wiggle, wobble, etc.
The truth is most of the weatherstripping sold today is 11/16" thick and that's too thick by over 50%. The AD trucks were designed for a rather soft weatherstrip that was 1/2" thick and until the early 1980s GM still made and sold it. Sadly it is no longer available and no product today mimics it. Furthermore every bit over 7/16" which is what Steele makes after Steve at the Truck Stop and I worked with them on this a few years ago will increase the difficulty of closing your doors exponentially. 7/16" = .4375" and 11/16" = .6875" and the net effect is you have weatherstrip that is about 55% too thick and you have to slam that door like crazy and still it won't shut right.
A friend installed these Altman locks and new 11/16" weatherstrip and his doors didn't shut any better than they did with the original GM locks and the too-thick weatherstrip.
One other thing: unless they've redesigned these, they won't lock as the originals did. Some folks have told me they had to install electric solenoids to make theirs lock. Just a few things to consider in case you haven't already cut up your doors and can still return them. Good luck!
PS...edit by Jon...the 11/16" weatherstrip was first used in 1956 when doors were designed differently. My guess is it was easier to make just one type and that's what has been happening until we did our work (as mentioned above).
Last edited by Jon G; 09/27/2023 2:39 PM.
