Door locks

Merv and Sharon · #1 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 01:44 AM

May I ask you wise experienced owners and builders about door locks? I am getting a rolling chassis and was thinking of having Warwick Harrison do the door locks while he was at it. The ones I have seen are mostly from Lasers, I believe, and some perhaps from Pajeros. I have also seen more traditional ones that fit on the inner door card at the rear of the door (chrome with a short handle). I would have thought that they would be a bit difficult to reach at times, but they do look nice. Not sure if they are ADR compliant as well.

Any advice on selecting or even fitting door locks is most welcome!

Merv
(Sunshine Beach, Qld)

BMK · #2 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 02:13 AM

Merv and Sharon

Merv,

The traditional door locks are not ADR approved for rego. in any state.

As a later change item you can get them through Finishline on the 'Forum' in Florida.

I have seen late model door locks used wih straps instead of handles on the door panel.

PCC · #3 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 04:49 AM

Merv,

Mine are electric (along with the boot).

Ford striker plates and Jag electric switches.

I do have (obligatory) manual pulls tucked away in the door's side pockets.

Never found anyone who could open my boot without knowing how.

Merv and Sharon · #4 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 05:39 AM

Nice idea Peter!

Merv

Merv and Sharon · #5 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 05:54 AM

I guess one could always fit remote locking and arming of the ignition system at a later date. So if I have to fit a level pull system for door locking (Laser, Pajero, etc) is there any one that looks a bit more up-market?

Merv

Aussie Mike · #6 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 06:51 AM

I believe a few of the kits out there are using XD Ford Falcon door strikers and latches. Whether you put a proper handle or just a pull cable on the inside is up to you but the Falcon strikers are reasonably tidy, cheap and ADR legal.

Cheers

400TT · #7 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 02:53 PM

The recommended internal door strikers & mechanism for Harrison are the XD Falcon type ones, rear doors actually.

As for handles, a lot of people use the Laser style handles, they can be obatined in just about any colour to match your interior.

The traditional chrome lever handles are nice if you want to go for that original look. They are easier to open the door with from the outside as they are high up on the door, but harder when inside. The trade off is that the other handles are easier when inside the car, harder when outside.

I've also seen people use these what I think are Falcon type handles. I'm sure I've seen them on Harrisons, so Warwick will know them. They are in an elongated oval shape from memory, available in chrome. Look very good in the right interior. Just had a quick look and don't have any photos of them handy.

Basically your choice of handle is only limited by your imagination and time your willing to spend researching it. Have a look at some of the modern sports models, there are some very nice door handles around. And just about any handle will be able to be fitted within reason.

07cob · #8 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 03:36 PM

Merv

As Craig pointed out, the latch, striker and inner mechanism for Warwick's doors is from the XD/E/F rear doors. Some minor modification to the inner is required. I paid $30 for the lot from the wreckers (which didn't make much sense to me since it took two blokes 45 minutes to get them off!)

I used the traditional lever but located it towards the front of the door rather than at the top rear because (1) it looked too difficult to get the assembly around the intrusion bars at the top and (2) it is easier to operate at the front of the door when you are in the car.

Cheers

Geof

hogster · #9 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 03:57 PM

If you run a small weld around the seams on the striker plates and grind them back, you can chrome them and they look much nicer.

Idea from someone at the last Shelby fest, whoever you were, thanks

Merv and Sharon · #10 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 04:39 PM

You guys are good!

Off to the wrecker to have a look for an XD Fairmont!

Merv

boxhead · #11 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 04:43 PM

Hey there Merv, before you go and buy some 20 year old worn out locks, go to ford (damn I hate that word) and price some new ones, they arent that expensive.

NASSTY · #12 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 05:33 PM

I used early 80's Mazda 323/ Laser latches & Strikers. Gotta luv pick a part

.

Door handles I've used a Lokar product. See pic from Lokar catalog

Merv and Sharon · #13 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 05:50 PM

Nice one Al. Where did you get it and what did they charge?

Merv
Sunshine Coast Qld

NASSTY · #14 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 06:24 PM

I got it through a local hot rod parts shop in Melb.
They weren't cheap

If you look for a rodding mag at your local newsagency you find a local supplier.

400TT · #15 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxhead

Hey there Merv, before you go and buy some 20 year old worn out locks, go to ford (damn I hate that word) and price some new ones, they arent that expensive.

New I think are a couple of hundred aren't they.

We've always used 2nd hand. Being the rear doors it's not hard to find good ones.

boxhead · #16 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 08:07 PM

I think mine cost me about $56.00 each and about $12.00 for the striker.

That was 3 years ago now (boy doesnt time fly)

Merv and Sharon · #17 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 08:50 PM

Thanks again guys. The Lokar handles are available thru Rocket Industries in Sydney. Not sure about their price. I am thinking now about new Falcon strikers and locks (no point using old ones of those) with a good second hand mechanism and chromed handles from a post 1991 Pajero. Can fit the Lokar ones later on.

Merv
Sunshine Coast Qld

BMK · #18 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 08:11 AM

I don't know. Good second hand ones at about $20 and half an hours work to remove them.v. $150 for two new ones.

I found half then fun was buying older bits and detailing them.

400TT · #19 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 03:34 PM

We actually bought a significant amount of parts from swap meets. Hit just about every swap meet for over a year, you get some real bargains there. Takes time, but it's the main way we could save money on a Cobra build, if that's what you are after.

XD-XF rear door locks, would not have cost us more than a few dollars each. A lot of stuff goes for what they class as a gold coin donation. Then you also find aftermarket parts cheap as well, aluminium radiators, 16" thermo fans, brakes, pods, gauges, steering wheels etc. We are not talking just second hand stuff here, I think we bought just about all those items from swap meets and they were new, still boxed and a fraction of the new price.

Gav · #20 (**permalink**) 07-14-2007, 02:26 AM

I have recently obtained my XD door locks and found, unfortunatly ford have stopped making the door catch.
You can still buy new the inner mechanism and the striker but not latch itself (the black square bit).
The XD E F falcoons used the same lock sets front and back but they are just reversed, ie; the rear passenger are the same as the front driver sets.
Go forth and find a nice XF with good rear locks!!