Front door lock rod

[Bitsyncmaster]

My front door lock rod needs to be shorter. I'm testing just using the lock rocker in the door and that will not unlock the front latch. I know other owners have removed the front lock rod just using the rear for locking the door. So without the front lock rod, does the front pop up a little when the rear latch is locked?

It probably would work with the actuator pulling a little more but I want to be sure the door will unlock using just the mechanical rocker.

[Bitsyncmaster]

The better fix was extending the rod from the rocker to the bell crank. It's better because it centers the contacts for electrical door switch. That OEM rod is the proper dia. for a 6-32 die.

[WHO1DMC]

A few years ago I disconnected my passenger front door lock because it wasn't working right. It's a definite fault in the latch.
Myself I have become a believer that having the font latch being able to lock is not needed.




Dave B.

[Patrick C]

I also am not running the front lock rods and find the doors operate fine without and stay locked just fine from the rear locking rods. I've been rolling this way for probably 15 years or more. Less strain on the plastic door lock actuators as well.

[dn010]

I know I'll catch hell from the guru by saying this, but along with first removing the lock rod for some years - I now don't even have a pin installed for the front latch of my driver side door. Same issue as you Dave, the door would not close correctly with the pin installed no matter where it was positioned and I gave up on trying to get it to work years ago.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Thanks all. I did get it working perfect for the front. It even has a snap moving the rocker switch which it never had before. My battery is disconnected so I probably never noticed it with the lock ECU working. Now I will see what happens with the back latch.

I pulled the metal guide block off because it was pressing on the new door latch nylon guide. Wow that thing weighs 23.0 oz. I wonder if those guide blocks are even needed. The latch has the correct shape to guide the pin. But if your pin is adjusted correct the pin does not even touch the latch guide. I guess if someone would close the door pressing in the wrong location that may flex the door to need the guide block. I have to grind it to fit better now.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Got both NOS latches installed. Interesting the rear latch rods have adjustment so there was no problem getting them to work perfect also. Tested the lock/unlock function with the key (no battery).

FYI:
Toby's actuators do provide more movement then needed. So yes they can hide some miss adjustment. I powered the actuator with a one amp current limit and they do move to the full ends you get when not powered. You really should not power them with battery voltage because they would quickly overheat.

Have not put the door panels back on yet.

Think I will try running without the metal door guides.

Glad I tried to shut the door before installing the door panels. My plastic door handle broke. I have two of the first metal ones DMCH offered but never got around to installing them.

Boy that door needs a heavy push without the weight of the door panels.

[Josh]

I removed the front lock rods about 10 years ago.

[Patrick C]

Have not put the door panels back on yet.

Think I will try running without the metal door guides.


The door guides are there to help with the door alignment when you are parked on hills, at angles, etc. It may work fine without them when level, but that can change depending on how you are parked.

[Bitsyncmaster]

The door guides are there to help with the door alignment when you are parked on hills, at angles, etc. It may work fine without them when level, but that can change depending on how you are parked.

Good to know. Thanks.

It's hard to see the alignment on the rear latch but you can eye it close. I will have to go find a hill and look at the alignment when parked on it. I had to remove one lock washer on the rear latch screws. It was hitting the plastic when shutting the door. Maybe things will change when the door panels are on.

[Bitsyncmaster]

New door handle installed. Not much effort to do it. You can set how far the inside and outside handles move to open the door if you have the bottom door panel off by adjusting the lower cable position.

I guess I will pull the passenger door open and install a new handle in that. Probably will also lengthen that rocker to bell crank arm to center it also.

I have found the doors flex a lot more when shutting the door without the weight of the door panels on. I will probably put the metal guides back on but I need to machine them a little so as not to press on the latch nylon guide.