Trunk lock

[65kcode]

We bought a 57 2 door post fairlane that the previous owner shaved the door handles, locks, and emblems.  However they didn't put in any door poppers to open the doors or "trunk"!!  Doors we can get into easily enough, but the trunk is another story.

Is there a way for my 7 y/o to go in through the rear seat area and pop the latch from the inside?

Pictures would be great if possible to show him what he will need to do.

Kevin

[glen b henderson]

A 7 yr old should be able to get through, no problem. I have used a long extension or several short ones and ratchet too remove the latch bolts from the rear seat area. As to what he will find, who knows what the PO did in there. I think the the best bet would be the remove the bolts that hold the latch plate to the body, if I remember correctly they are 7/16 and with a 3/8 ratchet and socket, he should be able to do the job. You may have to hold the light and give him directions.

[shopratwoody]

Years ago people would use choke or hood cables to pull
the latch for the final deal.

[65kcode]

Glen, I hadn't thought about just unbolting the latch, hadn't put that much thought into it I guess!!

We were in fact thinking about the cable fo the future opening of it.

Thanks guys, this is a great site, I'm enjoying very much!!

Kevin

[texasmark1]

going thru the rear seat is relly no big deal... behind the rear seat back (the upright portion of the seat) there is basically a big hole that anyone can crawl thru..., there may be what amounts to a cardboard panel, but its likely gone soft with age or be missing altogether;  with a light, you're in like flint.

Mark

[RICH MUISE]

DON'T KNOW HOW BIG YOU ARE, BUT THERE IS A LARGE HOLE BEHIND THE SEAT, iF YOU WEIGH LESS THAN A FEW HUNDRED POUNDS YOU SHOULD GET IN OK. yOU ACTUALLY DON'T NEED TO UNBOLT ANYTHING THERE IS A HOLE DIRECTLY ABOVE THE LATCH YOU CAN JUST REACH IN AND PULL THE LATCH STRAIGHT UP. iT MAY HELP TO HAVE SOMEONE PUSH DOWN ON THE TRUNK WHILE YOUR DOING IT OR TO CALL THE RESCUE 911# IF YOU ARE TOO BIG AND GET STUCK IN THERE.(L.O.L.) tHERE IS NOT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THAT LATCH...IT SHOULD POP OPEN EASILY UNLESS IT'S JAMBED. jUST FEEL FOR AN ELONGATED RING...THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO PULL UP ON.   RICH

[glen b henderson]

Rich, I see that you are 63 years old. I assure you that if I have the option of crawling through there or letting the 7 yr old kid have the fun, the kid wins everytime. I am 63 also and things like that ain't as much fun as they use to be.

[RICH MUISE]

Glen...I hear ya!  I'm fortunate enough to still be pretty active. My part time job to put "play time money" in my pocket always seems to end up being 40 hrs a week, and I'm still taking care of the house, and trying to get the body work finished on my 57. Fortunatlly my wife has short honey-do lists 'cause any more it takes me 10 hours to get 5 hours work done. That's why I'm on this web site so often...work for a half hour...go sit down for a half hour!

[RICH MUISE]

did you get it open? just curious if you were able to without unbolting anything...Rich

[65kcode]

Haven't had a chance yet to get to it!  Need to move some things to even see it!!lol Might get a chance this week....

Kevin

[65kcode]

I got a chance to get it opened up today.  Pretty easy, pulled the rear seat, a block off plate PO had pu in there and crawled thru.  PO had put a cable from the latch to a big round thing on the trunklid.  Not sure if thats stock or not.....

Thanks for the input and help on this... Cool sight and cool people on here!!

Oh by the way, there were NO SOHC heads, or anything else in the trunk for that matter!!lol

Kevin

[wildhog]

65KCODE. IT WAS TO BAD THAT YOU DIDN'T FIND ANY THING NEAT IN YOUR TRUNK! REMEMBER WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR JIMMY HOFFA.

[65kcode]

We knew there wasn't anything like Hoffa in the trunk, just hoping for something cool!!

Kevin