new to the forum...does anyone know where i can get manual door locks for my f-150...help......!!!!

 

the junk yard is a great place to look

 

Do you have those weird ones that slide on the door panel? If so, a popular thing to do is get the later setup and convert it over to the ones with the pin that sticks up. I believe that was a 1 or 2 year only lock system, and they all broke.

 

Is this easy to do?

Any write ups anywhere on this?

Thanks...

 

I am also curious. Is this an easy thing to do?

 

I, too, am interested in doing this. My father's '81 has those locks and I have 2 doors put back w/the later locks on them just for that purpose. I'm sure I can figure it out, but a how-to would be appreciated.

 

Are you guys referencing the ones that stick into the door panel? Usually silver in color, or something else that I haven't seen? If its the silver ones I have a write up that I am working on for some custom mods.

 

Silver ones are what we want to go to, the ones used in '82 and later.

 

Oh ok, I appreciate your post!

 

A how-to will be most welcome! Thanks, Glove.

 

The slide locks were introduced in 1980 with the re-design. Since there is apparently no amount of silicone spray or lithium grease that will keep them operating properly (personal experience) they were phased out in about 1981 1/2. Those of us that are unfortunate enough to have them are stuck between keeping the truck "correct" or having working door locks.

I have given up all together on locking my truck. Its a 50/50 chance the doors will unlock, and if someone really wanted in, that window is only a brick away from being open. Not to mention the fact that a 3 y/o can get the thing running with a slide hammer and screwdriver. If it ever gets stolen I figure I will just catch them at the next gas station.

All kidding aside, it is an easy swap that I plan to undertake in the future. You can either buy the parts at a j/y, or online (easiest to to probably take the entire mechanism from a donor door rather than trying to aquire exactly the right parts). First you will need new (or j/y) door panels to locate and drill a hole for the lock push button. Off hand I cannot remember if the latch mechanism itself can be re-used. From there is is a matter of switching over the linkage from old to new.

 

I have heard people talking about it, but never have done it myself. My 80 did have the lousy door locks though, so I know what that's all about. Looking at it but never having actually done it, I would think the hardest part would be drilling the hole in the top of the door.

 

As said, Dad's truck, the next one I plan to restore, has the slide locks and they don't work. So, the '82 parts truck I have will provide the bits and pieces - whatever they are. I'm just hoping Ford saw fit to use the same attachment points.

 

Slide Locks Were used on 1980-1981 to a build date of 12/80.

1981 from a build date of 12/80 to 3/81 used a black hexagon shaped **** for the door lock rod that sticks out the top of the panel.

1981-1986 from a build date of 3/81 uses a chrome lock **** for the door lock rod that sticks out the top of the panel.

If you have a 1980 or 1981 with slide locks, you will have to drill a hole in the doors and get seperate door panels to do the swap. You will also need the lock rod that goes from the door lock to the top of the panel. On the 1980 you will need a new door lock tumbler as well, or at least according to the book.

My slide locks on my 1981 work quite well. I like them. However, if you ever remove your door panels, you have to remove the slide lock from the panel first, or you will bend the rod. Even slightly bent the locks wont work right. This is the main reason why they fail or stick.

 

i just bought the whole latching assembly that goes inside the door but you might just need the rod i can check later. then just drill a hole in the top of the door panel or buy junkyard replacement panels