| Author |
Message |
hayleyscomet (24.108.179.61)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 12:47 am: | |
Time to choose the new door lock as the air lock is ready to be dismantled. I read on one of the sites that the door lock from a Peterbilt truck works well. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks, Patti |
RJ Long (Rjlong) (67.181.236.27)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 2:10 am: | |
Patti -
If you've got an MCI, I would seriously recommend that you do NOT remove the air lock mechanism. There is a SIGNIFICANT increase in front wind noise when the air lock's not engaged, something that a simple "deadbolt" type lock and latch assembly will not overcome.
FYI, again, if you've got an MCI, there is an OEM lock assembly for the front door available - it's in the parts book. This is separate from the air mechaism, it's a keyed deadbolt-like lock that uses a double-sided Ford ignition key. This is the simplest installation, btw. Could probably get a complete used one from Caylor Supply or Luke VERY reasonably, altho you'd probably have to have a local locksmith rekey it for you. Can also be obtained for the baggage bins, fuel door, etc, too! All using the same key. . .
The Peterblt door lock you mentioned can be found here (altho it's a Freightliner):
http://users.cwnet.com/~thall/FAST%20FRED.htm
Or, at least I think that's the article you're thinking about. . .
Anyway, HTH,
RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA |
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.163.15.177)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 10:21 am: | |
I agree with RJ-- you can take out the handle and operating mechanism but leave the air cylinder and "claw". You can join the solenoid wires of the microswitch that was operated by the handle and use the red emergency release knob to activate the claw. Or run the wires to a switch and use that to activate. Fast Fred's door latch is very similar to what Prevost uses. Go for it.
Jim |
ron and patti (Hayleyscomet) (24.108.179.61)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 11:19 am: | |
Thanks for the link. Our bus is a prevost. Do you still recommend leaving in the air lock mechanism? Patti |
DaveD (142.46.199.30)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 12:13 pm: | |
I'd leave it in. However, you will need to be sure to leave some way, from outside the bus, to open the microswitch that activiates the solenoid so that you don't find yourself stranded outside the bus if its running and the door is closed.
FWIW
Dave Dulmage
(MC-8) |
DrivingMissLazy (66.168.175.51)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 1:29 pm: | |
What happens if you are out of air?
Seems like it would be nice to use the claw when in the bus and driving to reduce wind noise, and then some way to automatically disable this feature when outside the bus. Maybe a method of manually enabling the system in such a manner that you could never enable it while not in the dirivers seat and the ignition is off, or something?
Richard |
madbrit (67.136.98.250)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 3:40 pm: | |
On my MC-8, there was a little lever under the dash to the right of the driver, with a red knob on it and that enabled/disabled the door claw.
My bus also had the Ford type lock which operated a deadbolt.
I used the original bus door handle and the "overcenter" action stopped all the wind noise and the claw pulled it in even tighter.
The big chrome button on the front panel under the windshield was to unlock the air claw. To lock it, I was told you moved the lever with the red knob into enable and went out and closed the door and it automatically clamped the door shut. You then padlocked the big chrome button under the windshield to secure the bus and used the deadbolt if fitted. To open, you removed the padlock in the shaft and hit the button, which in turn unlatched the lever with the red knob and released the door. The over center part of the door closer was not engaged in this proceedure.
Peter. |
R Johnstone (Chilebrew) (67.235.99.44)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 4:43 pm: | |
Eagle (at least my NJ 20) has same lever that dumps door air, thus disabling lock. |
R.J.Bob Evans (204.83.31.88)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 6:14 pm: | |
My '81 Prevost has an air solenoid to close the lock from a switch on the dash. I can tell when I forget to flip the lock on because of the increased wind noise. If I leave the latch engaged I can't get out the door so no worries about locking myself out. If I lose air the latch releases so no worries that way either. |
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.174.246.112)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 7:34 am: | |
On the Prevost, don't worry about locking yourself out. I did this on my MC-8 when I started it with the red knob engaged. I had no air pressure when I started it but when I came back a few minutes later, the door was locked solid. Had to open the driver window and use a stick to move the knob. Prevost is easier. Kill the engine at the back and open the compartment under the driver. Drain the accessory tank air and the latch will release.
Jim |
Ron Walker (Prevost82) (209.52.245.237)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 11:42 am: | |
Hi Ron & Patti;
I bought a passenger door, off a wreak Freight Liner (the whole door). I used all the compontents, outside door handle /w lock / the latch / and also modified the inside door handle and door release and door lock to fit my 81 Prevost. It worked great. Bought the door for $30. I think it came off a 90's vintage truck. If you want some pic's email off line.
Ron |