Late 2a (wide light) window locks

[JohnboyLandy]

Hi All,

My late 2A wide light came with S3 type window locks (plastic slides).

Does anyone know if that is correct, or should I have the older metal knob type window locks ?

Thanks
John

[mick88]

Series 2A had the metal twist type button at the top of the windows and series 3 had the plastic slides at the bottom of the window.
Your vehicle has most likely had series 3 door tops fitted.

Cheers, Mick.

[JDNSW]

Yes. The door tops are interchangeable.

[JohnboyLandy]

Thanks guys, but not sure you got exactly what I meant with my 2a widelight.

I know in S3 had the plastic slides, and in general 2a had the twist knobs, but when did they change to plastic slides, was it :
- 2a->2a widelight or
- 2a widelight ->S3

Thanks
John

[JDNSW]

Series 3 - actually, according to the parts book, end August 1972. Part of the general padded dash, flush door hinges, flush (and fragile) windscreen hinges etc.

But worth noting that door and window locks were always optional on Series 2a - and I am not sure when they became standard for S3. Not clear from the parts book, possibly depended on the market.

[JohnboyLandy]

Great, thanks John !!!

My widelight 2a came with the S3 type window locks, so I think I'll stick with that style.

Cheers,
John

[JDNSW]

Mine has them, but it didn't "come" with them. I fitted S3 doors (and cab, and high back seats, and deluxe trim and .....).

[DonQuixote]

Hi all -
I've been looking all over for that little round "boss" for the window catch on the sliding rear windows (for the hard top tropical roof). They don't make them anymore, and so super difficult to find. Does anyone know where I can get one of these. The USA and UK suppliers I've looked at online don't have them. Is there anyone in Australia who might be able to sell me one of these and send to USA? Part number is 332329.

Here are pictures:
TEST BLOG: Rear Window Catch (https://alexatesting.blogspot.com/2018/10/rear-window-catch.html)

146178

146179

Thanks!
Mike

[gromit]

Hi all -
I've been looking all over for that little round "boss" for the window catch on the sliding rear windows (for the hard top tropical roof). They don't make them anymore, and so super difficult to find. Does anyone know where I can get one of these. The USA and UK suppliers I've looked at online don't have them. Is there anyone in Australia who might be able to sell me one of these and send to USA? Part number is 332329.

Here are pictures:
TEST BLOG: Rear Window Catch (https://alexatesting.blogspot.com/2018/10/rear-window-catch.html)

146178

146179

Thanks!
Mike

I did find some NOS complete latches but they are hard to find and therefore very expensive.
Best option is secondhand from someone parting a vehicle out.

Listed here but POA CATCH PLATE X2 332329 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order. (https://www.island-4x4.co.uk/catch-plate-332329-p-18410.html)
Listed here https://www.pablanchard.co.uk/Window-Catch-Round-Nut-332329


Colin

[JDNSW]

That bit ought to be fairly easy to turn up on a lathe! I am pretty sure they are unplated alloy.

[gromit]

That bit ought to be fairly easy to turn up on a lathe! I am pretty sure they are unplated alloy.

I think they are diecast to get the indentations that grip the rubber washer under the head.
Possibly something at the wreckers with a swing open rear window that would have a similar 'nut' but the thread would be different. You'd just have to make a stud to suit.

Colin

[S3ute]

Hi all -
I've been looking all over for that little round "boss" for the window catch on the sliding rear windows (for the hard top tropical roof). They don't make them anymore, and so super difficult to find. Does anyone know where I can get one of these. The USA and UK suppliers I've looked at online don't have them. Is there anyone in Australia who might be able to sell me one of these and send to USA? Part number is 332329.

Here are pictures:
TEST BLOG: Rear Window Catch (https://alexatesting.blogspot.com/2018/10/rear-window-catch.html)

146178

146179

Thanks!
Mike

Hello from Brisbane.

I may have one sitting in one of many boxes under my house. I bought a set of the locks from someone long forgotten in the UK to replace a broken one on my truck cab. Needless to say it remains on the to do list along with most of the rest of the project.

I think the replacements that I picked up have the small circular bosses but, as noted before, that recollection is faded. So, without promising anything I am in the process of sorting the parts out and will look out for them. If I do find the originals and don’t need them I will let you know and make arrangements to get one across to you.

For what it’s worth I seem to recall that the early Minis (850 motor) had sliding windows with the same locks. That might widen the options a little bit. Otherwise, a good many NAS trucks (including yours) had the sliding windows on the hardtops - you might find a wreck with them.

Cheers,

Neil

[JDNSW]

I think they are diecast to get the indentations that grip the rubber washer under the head.
Possibly something at the wreckers with a swing open rear window that would have a similar 'nut' but the thread would be different. You'd just have to make a stud to suit.

Colin
Yes, they are actually diecast, but the indentations that grip the rubber could be replaced by circular grooves with a few interruptions filed in (or even a a pattern of shallow drilled holes), but I think that simple grooves would be adequate - the only advantage of the indentations over grooves would be to stop the rubber slipping round - and it does not matter if the rubber slips round, only if the 'nut' does - but there are no indentations on the glass, and the rubber against glass does not slip, so why would it against the metal? Grooves are probably necessary to stop the rubber spreading, and allow better grip by having high local pressure.

[1950landy]

Hello from Brisbane.

I may have one sitting in one of many boxes under my house. I bought a set of the locks from someone long forgotten in the UK to replace a broken one on my truck cab. Needless to say it remains on the to do list along with most of the rest of the project.

I think the replacements that I picked up have the small circular bosses but, as noted before, that recollection is faded. So, without promising anything I am in the process of sorting the parts out and will look out for them. If I do find the originals and don’t need them I will let you know and make arrangements to get one across to you.

For what it’s worth I seem to recall that the early Minis (850 motor) had sliding windows with the same locks. That might widen the options a little bit. Otherwise, a good many NAS trucks (including yours) had the sliding windows on the hardtops - you might find a wreck with them.

Cheers,

Neil
Neil, if I remember correct the Mini850 window locks work different to those , the nut that grips the glass is different & is stepped were it goes through the glass were that one is flat . Correct me if I am wrong . Just trying to remember back 40 odd years when I worked for BMC. I am trying to find my Mini parts catalogue to get a drawing of them , I may have given it to the person who bought my Mini.
Wayne

[S3ute]

Neil, if I remember correct the Mini850 window locks work different to those , the nut that grips the glass is different & is stepped were it goes through the glass were that one is flat . Correct me if I am wrong . Just trying to remember back 40 odd years when I worked for BMC. I am trying to find my Mini parts catalogue to get a drawing of them , I may have given it to the person who bought my Mini.
Wayne

Wayne,

Hello again.

You are probably right - so, happy to stand corrected about the compatibility of the Mini part. I was also seeing it through the lens of nearly 50 or so years ago and I never actually pulled one apart back then.

Anyway, if I find the original part at home and did get a new one with the replacement catch set the problem will be solved. Otherwise, the search will need to continue - probably more truck cabs out there than 850 Minis these days.

Cheers,

Neil

[mick88]

Thanks guys, but not sure you got exactly what I meant with my 2a widelight.

I know in S3 had the plastic slides, and in general 2a had the twist knobs, but when did they change to plastic slides, was it :
- 2a->2a widelight or
- 2a widelight ->S3

Thanks
John

My 1971 2A widelight has the top mounted push type locks on it's original door tops.

I also have 1972 Series 3 which has the lower plastic slide type locks.


Cheers, Mick.

[S3ute]

My 1971 2A widelight has the top mounted push type locks on it's original door tops.

I also have 1972 Series 3 which has the lower plastic slide type locks.


Cheers, Mick.

Hello from Brisbane.

The Series 2A 109” that we had on the farm was sold new in 1972. That would have made it one of the last of the 2A’s.

It also had the metal locks at the top of the window.

Cheers,

Neil

[DonQuixote]

Hello from Brisbane.

I may have one sitting in one of many boxes under my house. I bought a set of the locks from someone long forgotten in the UK to replace a broken one on my truck cab. Needless to say it remains on the to do list along with most of the rest of the project.

I think the replacements that I picked up have the small circular bosses but, as noted before, that recollection is faded. So, without promising anything I am in the process of sorting the parts out and will look out for them. If I do find the originals and don’t need them I will let you know and make arrangements to get one across to you.

For what it’s worth I seem to recall that the early Minis (850 motor) had sliding windows with the same locks. That might widen the options a little bit. Otherwise, a good many NAS trucks (including yours) had the sliding windows on the hardtops - you might find a wreck with them.

Cheers,

Neil

Thanks, Neil -
I found one in UK and ordered it. I appreciate the thoughts!
Cheers-
Mike
T

[DonQuixote]

I did find some NOS complete latches but they are hard to find and therefore very expensive.
Best option is secondhand from someone parting a vehicle out.

Listed here but POA CATCH PLATE X2 332329 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order. (https://www.island-4x4.co.uk/catch-plate-332329-p-18410.html)
Listed here https://www.pablanchard.co.uk/Window-Catch-Round-Nut-332329


Colin

Thanks again, Colin -
I did order it from Blanchards and I should have it in the mail this week. I should have checked Island 4x4 too, but missed that.
Cheers,
Mike

[S3ute]

Thanks, Neil -
I found one in UK and ordered it. I appreciate the thoughts!
Cheers-
Mike
T

Mike,

Hello again and thanks for the update. Good to hear that you have an outcome.

I did find the new latches in my new parts pile the other day and they did come with the relevant bits. I haven’t found the old ones yet but no doubt will one day.

Cheers,

Neil

[S3ute]

Thanks, Neil -
I found one in UK and ordered it. I appreciate the thoughts!
Cheers-
Mike
T

Mike,

Glad you got sorted on the window catch part.

As it happens I took a girl’s look through the various boxes yesterday and did find the old parts that I had previously mentioned.

Like acrobatics and acting I guess, timing is everything.....

Cheers,

Neil