doors

You can install these three ways. Since my doors are taken apart and stripped down I mounted the locking mechanism inside the door. You can consider one of the following. Use the instructions and cut a area for the latch and mount the plate on top of the door skin (more for your already painted truck), or use the plate as a template to cut out that area from the door and weld the plate into the door.

I purchased the Altman Easy Latches the plain finish from Mid-fifty item 1109 ,Or you can get them Polished Item 1109-PS .

NOT MADE IN CHINA, and they only work on the 53-56 Ford Trucks. On the instructions there is a number you can call for help.

This mod took me about a hour per door. Everything went very smoothly, it was a nice break from sanding and you felt good to see some progress made. I installed the door back on the truck and closed the door for the first time. It closed perfectly! There is a link to my YouTube page of the door being tested at the bottom on this post.

Please post your comments on your install. Or after installing them are they still working well for you?

Every thing is right here. Made to overlap existing door skin after you cut out the area for the locking mechanism. It screws into place using one of the existing holes. You drill the others.

I took apart the lock from the plate and used the plate as template to cut out for the lock post. And marked for the holes to mount the mechanism.

All welded up ready to grind down the welds, cut out the area for the Post to pass using a air saw then I did some bodywork.

Just need to mount the lock and test the door on the truck.

If you like these check out the new Hood Latching Kit, Altmans

I then mounted the door for a test fit and with little to no adjustment it shut perfectly. Really like these latches highly recommend them.

YouTube testing the latches

Its great to work at night when the weather is nice. Throw on some jams and start blocking.

Tonight I continued the process on the rear fenders and doors. Its been about a month since I had some quality time on my 56. The weather today in So Cal was 85! Tonight is just right.

I used some 3M dry guide coat to check for low spots. Used 80 grit with a long Dura-block. Not much pressure just let it flow. Crossing one way then the other. I like three times. If needed applied some Evercoat Metal Glaze Ultra. That stuff works great!

Next sand up to 180 then shoot more high build primer. Block one last time before sanding up to 600 and paint.

Here are a few pics.