…….after 45 years, the entry door latches can get pretty grody.A new one is available but there are a couple of thing that make this more than a quick, easy replacement.
As you can see on the backside there is a pin missing that connects to the inside handleTales someone pretty handy with a TIG welder to cut off that arm and weld it to the new latch.
Also look at the front pic, the lock mechanism hole is smaller than the new one which means u less you have a 73-74 coach, the lock mechanism will also have to be replaced. Only the early coaches had the correct diameter lock mechanism.
The door must be taken apart on the inside to access this mechanism.here you can see the new latch in place, modified, new lock mechanism installed and ready to reassemble the door
amother modification we add is a removable panel on the inside panel in case this mechanism gets jammed up
this way you cannot get locked in or out of your coach. So labor being the money sucking pig of the world, it takes r&r as well as welding time to renew this part. It ends up looking great but it’s just a bit of work.
this coach will soon head home to upper New York as a 12 passenger wine tour bus. The exterior will get a vinyl wrap for advertising
Sports a Honda generator to power the twin room a.c. units, quad bag system for safety, a MacDaddy dash for all the a.c. and lighting controls
a wrap around U sofa in place of the original twin beds with wine chiller holders across the seat backs…… ..