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Installing Guides For Third Party Door Locks

Submitted by: John Vaccaro

One of the things that you start to do when you customize your PT is to get as much to match as you possibly can. I added a Kruzer-Shiftr with an 8-ball shift knob several months ago and started looking for matching door locks to replace the OEM door locks. What I found were two types of 8-ball accessories for the door locks. The first type was a small plastic ball that was drilled out to the size of the OEM door locks. For $15.00 a pair, you simply slide them over the OEM locks and you are in business. The other type was a standard door lock replacement for $5.00 a pair. The problem I had with both is that the 8-ball did not match the shifter knob. The knob has a black 8 inside the white circle. The ones I found on-line had a white 8 inside a white lined circle. Finally, I found the knobs I wanted at K-Mart for $2.75 a pair. They matched the shift knob perfectly.

Now here's the problem! The stems for almost all third party door locks are much smaller than the OEM door locks. Replacing them leaves a large gap between the door lock and the opening. So much so, that you can move the door lock all over the place (Photo 1). This doesn't look very neat or professional and when you show your PT at car shows, small details like this take away points.

I must admit that I didn't come up with this tip, although it is so simple I don't know why I didn't. I saw this on a PT at one of the car shows that I was in and asked the owner of the PT (his name is Bill) if I could use his idea on the web site. So here it is!

The only thing that you will need (besides the third party door locks) is 4 ea. 7/16" nylon snap groumets (Photo 2) that you can pick up a almost any hardware store. I got them at Ace Hardware for .25¢ each (for some reason Home Depot and Lowe's don't seem to carry them). You can use a 1/2" groumet that will fit the hole in the door panel better, but it may not allow the door locks to move as freely. The reason for this is the hole in the door panel is somewhat angled. The 7/16" groumet will compensate for this. The rest is really simple, place the groumet into the hole in the door panel and then screw in the new door locks (Photo 3). No tools required and you get a professional quality look. I like that!

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

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