'51 Chevy panel truck: the left rear barn door came with the latching mechanism disassembled and tossed loose in a box. Can someone please provide a link or directions how to assemble this pile of parts? It appears to have an upper latch, lower latch and center pull handle, along with a couple of connecting screws that are about 18" long.
Those long rods are both attached to the centre pull handle. One goes to the top and one to the bottom. I don't remember for sure, but I think they are the same length. The left door has an access cover at the top and bottom to reach the ends of the rods for adjustments. The shop manual explains it as well.
There is almost a clear description and photos in the Shop Manual - this might be more useful to those with the mechanisms in-place.
However, there is only one way it can be installed, once you figure out which part goes where. The orientation of the top and bottom fittings that the threaded rods go through - you might have to try "both ways".
The trunnions are square threaded blocks that the rods screw into. The rods, of course, operate the latches. Rods pull on the latches via bell crank action. The head of the rod fits in the latch countersink. That is for TF, I believe AD is the same general setup. It all needs oiled up. Screws and threads need carefully chased.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
I'm going to try add a link here of one "laid out" which is for my 52. Those long threaded rods had a little cupped rubber type "bushing" but I have not found any.....but some may be "carved" out of a piece of rubber like a shock rubber...just saying.
The top and bottom latch, on mine, require some attention big time as they were pretty deranged but they can be fixed.
On the last picture if you look close you can see the little spring that goes to the top and bottom latch. There is also a rubber bumper that goes on the left bottom door. I made my own but later found it at Steele Rubber but simply will not pay the "asking price". One of the links under my signature line is the link to my Google account for the panel. There are a couple more pictures of the "linkage" if you want to look. The rods can be make if you have one. A machine shop can turn you one out pretty quick out of cold roll steel. Good luck on this.
I have one of the long rods, and a center handle assembly, along with a couple of the door to body latches if needed. W/ misc. other pieces. Pass. rear door handles, latch assemblies, etc
There is also a rubber bumper that goes on the left bottom door. I made my own but later found it at Steele Rubber but simply will not pay the "asking price".
