Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1951 3100 door lock

I have been told that they are.

I have a spare door that I intend to take apart and verify this summer. If it is reversible, I will take some pics and write up a process for adding the locks to the d4iver side.

From what I have read (I wasn't even a glimmer in someones eye in the AD years and barely "hatched" in '59 at the tail end of the TF years ), the location of the cab door locks was based on "safety" concerns of the time.

Don't get me to lying about what any of the "powers that be" were thinking back then to decide where the respective lock locations would be, but agree that the AD years was probably from concerns over "skinned hiney's" (or worse) with most roads/city streets being narrow and not much room for curb parking. The TF years probably saw changes with roads being widened for the big increase in vehicles/traffic as well as folks may have just decided having to unlock from curb-side was too cumbersome.

I will leave the conversation open for further input, perhaps from others that have more knowledge than I, bit this one has about run it's course.

Have a great day everyone!

Dan

Anyone know what year door locks began to show up on automobiles?

The '29 Model A I had had door locks. They were probably on earlier models as well. As for Dan's comments about being only right side, I believe the locks on that Ford were on both sides.
I once rented a Lincoln Town Car back in the late 90's and it only had a lock on the passenger side door.

I don`t know much , but I do know I am a retired master locksmith at 60
that started work at my Aunt and Uncles locksmith shop at 17 years old.
I`ve pulled more GM columns than I care to remember. Made more keys to non-GM
locks by the art of "impressioning" as well. (Blank key ,vise grips and a rattail file.)
Even won some ALOA awards in the field in my day.
I don`t recall keyways being on the passenger side only.
Makes little sense to reach over the seat to unlock the drivers side lock.

Just sayin.

Peggy: Lots of old movies had the driver sliding across to/from the passenger's door.

Once you get to push button handles in '52, the locking exterior button can be moved to either side. Some of the vendors sell a set of 2 locking buttons with matching keys. You turn-down handle guys have to put up with passenger-side keys only.

I don't lock any of my vehicles, ever.

There's nothing in them to steal and I don't want anybody breaking something if they want to get in to look for something to steal. I don't even roll up windows unless its raining.

Kevin,

I was only referring to the Chevy and GMC AD era trucks in my comments about door locks on the passenger side and not driver side.

My Grandpa's '51 is that way. To clarify the AD door lock info I could find, '47-'51 AD Trucks came standard with R-hand keyed door locks separate from the turn-down style door handle assembly. Beginning in '52, with the change of door handle style to the push-button design that allowed for a keyed lock cylinder in the push button, AD trucks through '55.1 (1st Series) came standard with the R-hand door lock, with the L-hand door lock being offered as an option.

It obviously made sense to the folks that designed the setups back then, but that was then and this is now. Things change.

Hope this clears up any misunderstandings. Moving on...

Dan