Has anyone else ever had this problem on a 54 Chevy 3100? Door panels won't sit flat because of the Door latch relay. It looks like the latch relays are in upside down because there is a nice recess in the door that the pull strap fits into nicely. However when installed in this position they don't seem to work. In order for them to work they must be installed with the pull strap going up.The rivet that holds the pull strap to the relay digs into the back of my cardboard door panels and I don't think it will take long for it to rub a hole. Not a huge problem, just one of those little things I am looking for a fix for. Thanks
Do you still have the small foam spacers on the door? There are a few that are placed around the door exactly for the reason you describe. If you look in the FAM (Factory Assembly Manual) this detail is noted and placement illustrated.
The oddity of the recess where the relay "ought to go" is due to the fact they indeed use to ride in those recesses in 1947 when the inside door handles were pushed to open, rather than pulled like later models. In order to make the pull handle work, they had to move the relay into an awkward position, thus your problem.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Thanks for the help guys, that explains everything. Seems like a bad design at best but it guess it is what it is. I bought the cheap door panels and foam rings set but I assumed the foam went on the outside of the of the panel behind the door handle. Works a little better when I moved them behind the door panel. Thanks again, exactly what I needed. Any one ever use 47 relays in a 54? I would take pushing the handle over pulling it if the door panel would lay flatter.
The door panels are not flat. They have a longitudinal fold in them approximately 3-4 inches down from the top. This fold helps with creating more space for the relays.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
I am just now dealing with that problem on my 1950 3100. I bought replacements and the bar to the latch was on the top not underneath as original. I looked around for "bottom" bar relays. The LMC truck catalog shows bottom bar relays. So I called them to make sure before I ordered another set. They said their relays had the bar on the bottom. I am skeptical but I ordered a pair. Should be here next week. I'll post if they are correct.
Jumping in on this.... I have no interior door panels, the vinyl/carboard stuff. Found this at classic industries >> https://www.classicindustries.com/product/ct188.html also clips. What do I need and am I in good company buying from Classic? LOL after 15 years driving around without interior niceties it's going to feel weird.
I worry because they don’t say what the material is. Bet someone has used it and will chime in.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
1947-48 door relay bars sit horizontally in the door recess. After that Chevy changed them to run diagonally across the door to reverse the handle rotation direction to make it easier for occupants to operate. Of course all reproduction door relays are the later (angled) configuration.
I used '64-'66 relays on my AD to avoid the door panel bulge. The bar had to be cut and re-welded, but otherwise it was a bolt-in:
Too Tall hyjacked the thread and I responded to his question. I have nothing else to add so I'll go away. Bye
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
1947-48 door relay bars sit horizontally in the door recess. After that Chevy changed them to run diagonally across the door to reverse the handle rotation direction to make it easier for occupants to operate. Of course all reproduction door relays are the later (angled) configuration.
I used '64-'66 relays on my AD to avoid the door panel bulge. The bar had to be cut and re-welded, but otherwise it was a bolt-in:
Is that setup push-forward-to-open?
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Correct Carl. The setup shown is backwards / wrong. It has to be pushed forward to open the door. all the trucks handles have to be pulled back to open. (safety feature)
The setup shown is backwards / wrong. It has to be pushed forward to open the door. all the trucks handles have to be pulled back to open. (safety feature)
Not exactly true. If the handle is pointed UP it's a pullback. Only if you point the handle down does it become a push to open. It's exactly the same as Chevy configured the relays in 1947 and 1948. I actually had mine positioned back (turn DOWN to open - see photo) which I found most comfortable for me.
i have a 54 chevy 3600. made some nice door panels got them on and the lever will not work. i put spacers in behind the panel, but still dragging against the panel. the foam spacers don't seem to be strong enough to support the panel enough to let the pull lever work?
