Door Latch

[76j10build]

I have a door that won't latch. From feeling and looking in the door, it seems like there is a spring of some sort that is missing. The part on the door that is supposed to rotate and latch just spins all the way around. From looking at the other door, it seems there should be some kind of spring or something that is pressing into the rotating latch mechanism on the inside of the door?
Has anyone had this issue? Can anyone tell me if there is a part I can buy for this or if I am going to have to try and disassemble something at a junkyard?

Thanks.

[SnowShoe]

I think BJ's has replacement springs

[76j10build]

Yeah, I wasn't sure if what they had was the spring I need, but I will talk to them and see, I guess

[uberhahn]

Are you talking about the latch on the B-pillar and C-pillar?

There should be a little nylon "ramp" that is attached to a spring.

If you to 32min and 59 sec of my zinc plating video, you'll have a good view of it. I'm sloooowly restoring my '86, and there are a few videos. some are useful (though not very well done)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwP0tKnsx4U

[76j10build]

Honestly I have been sidetracked getting the lift installed. Finished that today and started bleeding the brakes to discover one of the calipers is leaking. So tomorrow new calipers and get the brakes working and it may go for its first drive in years. Then I will be tackling new wiring and the door latch and window seals. Hopefully I can find time this week to make some calls inquiring about the springs

[letank]

I have a door that won't latch. From feeling and looking in the door, it seems like there is a spring of some sort that is missing. The part on the door that is supposed to rotate and latch just spins all the way around. From looking at the other door, it seems there should be some kind of spring or something that is pressing into the rotating latch mechanism on the inside of the door?
Has anyone had this issue? Can anyone tell me if there is a part I can buy for this or if I am going to have to try and disassemble something at a junkyard?

I had this issue on the 74, replaced the whole door latch , the one on the door jamb, yes the inside spring was broken. Of course it happened on a forest road, 200 miles from home and on the driver's door... bundled a strap around the open window pillar and the B pillar, yes you have to drive with the window open, it was summer... headed to the nearest junkyard, and luckily they had a few FSJ... of the correct YM


J&W in Sacramento could be a good source


this is the item that you need



the one on the left for the 78 and older vintage

[76j10build]

Can anyone tell me if the rear door latches are identical to the front latches? I found a later model wagoneer in a local salvage yard - the drivers latch has already been taken, so I am wondering if I can get the latch off of the DS rear door?
(I actually only need the passenger latch, but I would like to get both sides so they match on my truck...)

[rocklaurence]

I had this issue with the Later style latch. In my case, the "U" latch was so worn that it wasnt getting pushed that last little bit to latch. So, I welded more material to the "U" and contoured it to work. I adjusted the Door, the bolt for hours trying to get it to latch but nothing worked until I added the metal. I would have rather gotten a new latch mechanism. I also had the latch return spring on the same door break. I got some off of Ebay for a '56 Dodge that worked.

[threepiece]

Can anyone tell me if the rear door latches are identical to the front latches? I found a later model wagoneer in a local salvage yard - the drivers latch has already been taken, so I am wondering if I can get the latch off of the DS rear door?
(I actually only need the passenger latch, but I would like to get both sides so they match on my truck...)

As was mentioned earlier the later latches are different. The cut-off point was somewhere during 1979. Although the latches can be made to fit each opposing door with some effort, it is not a viable swap. The strikers on the pillars are also different and will not work with the opposing latch.