The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Doors Photo Diary: Installing Bear Claw latches

Installing Bear Claws with the kicker of keeping the original 52 pushbutton handles funtional.
Installing Bear Claw latches

do you think install would be a little easier with 47-51 doors

It may be easier since the motion of the swing handle is in the same direction as the latch motion. You just have to cipher how to connect the swing handle to the latch.

Thanks for a great tutorial, Chuck! I'm gonna be doing this one, I think ... that old striker and latch design is a horror!

A buddy of mine has a 54 Chevy BelAire and I can't believe the difference in the way his doors close; car vs truck -- the car doors close so solid and firm!!!

Would you say your truck doors now close like the car doors?

Yes, they close like modern car doors, albeit noiser from no sound deadening. I haven't given the latches another thought in the two years they've been in. I spray a little white lithium grease on them (all the hinges/latches) at oil change time as a preventative.

Wow -- that's great news! Looks like I'll be digging in on your photo-diary and doing the same ASAP.

PS -- Did you see my photo diary about quiet truck doors?
Check It Out Here

Yes, it's on my list for warm weather.