[updated:LAST EDITED ON Jan-31-05 AT 11:34 AM (CST)]Since I got such great help with my suspension questions, I thought I would ask about my current project. Both of my doors were in sad shape on my 71 Chevy C10. So, I ordered up a nice big box of replacement parts and took them apart. I replaced the outside handle, keylock, powl, and the inside handles and they all worked perfectly, fixing many of my problems. I also bought a replacement latch assembly for the driver side. The replacement was not an original GM part but a reproduction that looked similar and was supposedly compatible. But the ratchet section did not mesh correctly with the striker. I tried re-aligning the door too to try to get it to close, but nothing worked. I ended up lubing by old latch and putting it back in. It at least closes, but the door is difficult to lock with the key when the door is closed. And I have to slam it pretty hard. Oddly enough, the latch on the passenger side was just the opposite. It has a warn barring that makes it impossible to lock with the lockpull, it must me locked with the key from the outside. Has anyone had any luck with the aftermarket latch? Do I need a new striker to get it to work? Are there better aftermarket latches out there? Or should I start searching for a GM part?
Found a guy in Texas who had the original GM part! He actually runs a small powder coat service where you can buy chrome and powder coated latches, strikers, wheels, etc. Has quite the inventory of parts if anyone else is looking. His number is James @ 903-662-5199 Im still waiting on UPS to deliver them and I hope they solve my door problem.
