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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10182
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
I happen to own a version of Mike Peterson's "1955 Dodge - by the Numbers" book (supposedly available through the AACA - I got mine directly from Mike during early days of Covid).
In this book, Mike documents a tremendous amount of 1955 Dodge information, including what accessories were available to 55 Dodge owners. Some of these accessories spill over to 1956 Dodges (because they were much the same as the 55's). Such is the case for the 1643 179 Child Guard Rear Door Safety Lock - for 4 dr Sedan Mopars in 1955-56, as shown on pg. 64 of Mikes 2020 Draft 82 (see below).
Having once seen the locks in Mike's book, when I saw a NOS set on eBay for a very reasonable Buy it Now price, I snapped the set up. I picked them up yesterday. When examining the instructions, it is fairly clear (to me) that these locks were at least somewhat unique in the North American automotive world because the instructions, although clearly labelled MOPAR, there is mention of application to both GM and Ford products.
HUH.
To install these safety locks on a Mopar 4 dr sedan, you remove the factory rear door lock button and slip in the child safety lock base (perhaps with the use of some rubber spacers to keep things tight). And then you add the lock button (oriented so the slot in the lock button lines up with a slot in the base). Once the button is locked to the threaded lock button rod (via a tiny set screw), you push it down to lock the rear door.
The kids are now completely trapped.
The only way to open the door lock is to put a metal object (e.g. a key) through the slot in the base and into the slot in the button shaft and pulling up. Presumably these slots are facing forward, so clever little Johnny (future safe cracker) sitting in the back seat can't use his pen knife to free himself and little sister Amy (who is good as gold) ;).
My eBay set is missing the rubber spacer washers and one of the tiny tiny set screws but I think that can be solved with a trip to Home Depot or Lowes.
The Locks:
Edited by 56D500boy 2023-01-21 3:12 PM
(1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLock_InMikePetersons55DodgeBook.jpg)
(1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLock_AsPurchasedOnEbay_Missing a few things.jpg)
(1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLockInstructions_small.jpg)
(1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLock_UnLockedPosition.jpg)
(1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLock_LockedPosition.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- 1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLock_InMikePetersons55DodgeBook.jpg (175KB - 116 downloads) 1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLock_AsPurchasedOnEbay_Missing a few things.jpg (147KB - 117 downloads) 1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLockInstructions_small.jpg (216KB - 103 downloads) 1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLock_UnLockedPosition.jpg (94KB - 108 downloads) 1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLock_LockedPosition.jpg (99KB - 113 downloads)
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13067
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Dave, I have this option on my 60 Saratoga. There's a lever instead of a button. Still very unsafe if the car should be in an accident and you need to get the passengers out quickly. I mounted them anyway as I'm an option nerd. I cannot use them anymore as they conflict with my vacuum door lock system, now only for show. |
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10182
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
This was my first attempt at installation (I need to play with that tiny (1/16" hex allen) set screw).
(FirstAttemptAtInstallationOfThe1643179SafetyLockOnA56Dodge.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- FirstAttemptAtInstallationOfThe1643179SafetyLockOnA56Dodge.jpg (145KB - 90 downloads)
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10182
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
2nd attempt. "Successful"? Those kids are toast if there is an issue.
Very hard to lift the pin, even with a key stuck in that slot.
Not sure if they will stay (still need to find/make a rubber gasket/washer - and find another tiny set screw).
Edited by 56D500boy 2023-01-21 9:02 PM
(SecondAttemptAtInstallationOfThe1643179SafetyLockOnA56Dodge.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- SecondAttemptAtInstallationOfThe1643179SafetyLockOnA56Dodge.jpg (146KB - 117 downloads)
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10182
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
By taking the button that is missing the set screw to a hardware store with one of those "Try-a-Thread" things (a full set of SAE threads, male and female, on wire), I have determined that the thread for the set screw is 6-40, i.e. No. 6 but instead of the normal UNC 32, the set screws are UNF 40.
Hillman (Taiwanese) claims to sell some, but not the cone-tip that I need.
At least I know what to look (harder) for.
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9893
Location: So. Cal | They used that thread a lot in the gun industry. You could check there for possible set screws. I know that McMaster does sell them too.
https://www.mcmaster.com/screws/thread-size~6-40/alloy-steel-cone-po...
Edited by Powerflite 2023-01-23 6:32 PM
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10182
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
Thanks for the heads up Nathan. McMaster Carr seems to have what I am looking for. Not sure about local gun shops (I am in Canada).
But I can phone around. Otherwise I will have 9 spares.
Edited by 56D500boy 2023-01-23 7:13 PM
(McMasterCarr6-40SetScrewDiagram.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- McMasterCarr6-40SetScrewDiagram.jpg (101KB - 107 downloads)
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9893
Location: So. Cal | Because of the need to repair guns made in the US & England around the world, this particular thread has a metric equivalent at 3.5 x .6mm. If you can find one of those easier, then you'll be set. In the US, those are harder to find than the 6x40. But they are really the same thing, just labeled differently.
Edited by Powerflite 2023-01-23 10:13 PM
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10182
Location: Lower Mainland BC | Powerflite - 2023-01-23 6:57 PM
Because of the need to repair guns made in the US & England around the world, this particular thread has a metric equivalent at 3.5 x .6mm. If you can find one of those easier, then you'll be set. In the US, those are harder to find than the 6x40. But they are really the same thing, just labeled differently.
I did try a few local gun shops but they didn't have anything like what I needed so I bit the bullet and ordered from McMaster-Carr. Minimum was 10 set screws for about US$5.95 plus shipping (USPS priority small box).
I tested one in the lock that was missing the set screw and it seems to fit fine.
Now I have 9 spares. :P
If anyone needs one or two, I can mail you them. I will keep a couple so there will be 7 available.
(1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLock_AsPurchasedOnEbay_WithMcMasterCarr6_40x1_8ConeTipSetScrews.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- 1643179ChildGuarRearDoorSafetyLock_AsPurchasedOnEbay_WithMcMasterCarr6_40x1_8ConeTipSetScrews.jpg (144KB - 117 downloads)
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