|
|
Early Bronco Door Latch (Right)
IF THE IMAGE IS TOO SMALL, click it.
With the lock control UP (unlocked), the lock slide is aligned with the catch, allowing both the release levers to drive the catch down, releasing the jaws. If the lock control is DOWN, the slide is angled forward, and it misses the catch, so neither release works. If the jaws are then closed (by closing the door), the auto unlock lever pushes the slide rearward, which forces the control UP; unless either release is down (outside button held pressed, or inside lever held), causing the auto unlock arm to miss the slide. This is why many doors get jammed such that they cannot be opened from inside or outside - the pushrod for the outside buttons is adjusted wrong, causing its lever to stay down, preventing the latch from unlocking, which then prevents either release from working.
To reversibly disable auto unlock, simply bend its arm upward (outboard) so it never contacts the lock slide. To permanently disable it, cut the lower jaw off so the catch never operates it.
To make the inside handle always work, AND unlock the door automatically, add a lever to the auto unlock pivot and move the inside release operating rod to the new lever, as shown in subsequent photos.
The latch's original functions will be left UNmodified, so it will be easy to revert to the factory configuration & function simply by moving the operating rod back to the factory inside release lever. The new lever can remain (unused) without affecting the latch's performance or reliability.
|
