Thread: Need help figuring out what to do for latches

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Im not discrediting anyone, just adding my thoughts. I like the heavy duty Auto Loc solenoids. They are higher than standard solenoids but for a reason. Little effort is needed for the bear claw latches so a stage or two up will last much longer. I put their 100 lb pull solenoids on Dustin's Camino but I was using the factory latches and had to over come that big internal spring. I look at solenoid size like a duty cycle.

As far as the emergency release, on my 36 Im going to run the latches on the cab and the striker on the door. Then I can use a hood release cable routed back slightly and through floor just behind door. I did the alternative on Dustin's car and ran the hood release through the door, pillar, and out firewall inside the front fender. I personally won't do that again. The door already has enough stuff in it.
Just remember to leave enough slack on the cable loop so there isn't any tension on the latch. I also found the nice steel cabinet rollers to be handy if you need to move the solenoid in a different position other than straight on. Then you can employ even less effort with the pully system. The rollers have a 1/4" hole and are about 2 inches in diameter and have roller bearings. Then you can add a pair of large washers on each side to keep the cable from falling off. Dustin's work great. Doubt he'll ever need to use the emergency pull unless he has a dead battery. Also I would use the aluminum crimp sleeves versus the universal cable u clamp cause no matter how tight I got them they always seem to work themselves loose over time.

Oh....for safety I also used the factory inside door pulls and cabled them to the latch. If you bust a battery in a wreck, you still want to be able to get out. You'd be surprised how many folks use an electric switch to exit the vehicle. I'd hate to hear someone burn up in a car cause they couldn't get out.

If your keeping your original handles inside and out why do you need solonoids? I'd just install the latches and get some miscellaneous factory rods from a salvage hard , bend them as needed and hook them up to the bear claws and both handles.

David