LearningCurve's 818C Build

[LearningCurve]

There are brackets that are supposed to attach from the frame to the back of the fiberglass that support the latch. The brackets on the frame are located here:
frame latch support.jpg

This step is shown in the manual but it's not very clear:
door latch manual.jpg
from pg.417 rev-V

This thread might also help:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...ounting-Tricks

Thanks for the follow-up on this. I will have to go back and incorporate those brackets. I was thinking that they were already attached to the frame. The manual was not clear on this.

[LearningCurve]

Started working on the inner door panels. It was a tedious process to ensure that I was cutting into the correct location for the door lock and door handle but after enough measuring I got it right. The door handles and locks work well. Since I am having issues with the locking/unlocking mechanism using the key on the driver side door, I have essentially built a system to lock myself out of the car.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AictTWZNhrZBybqE9

As for the lock/unlock mechanism using the key, I am unable to get enough rotation on the key to trigger the door to unlock. Part of my issue is with the bracket that attaches to the key mechanism. There is a large portion of that bracket that does not engage with the mechanism until the key is nearly turned all the way. If this engagement area was larger I might be able to get enough rotation on the bracket to unlock the car. If anyone has any ideas or has a solution to this, please let me know.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9QPXrAztC9Yd4D2k6

[LearningCurve]

I ended up giving up on the getting the key to work on the driver side door lock/unlock mechanism. As far as I am concerned, this was another poor design from FFR. Since I kept the electric actuators from the donor car, went ahead and bought an aftermarket key-less entry module and wired in the actuators from the donor. This looks like it will work out nicely. I also wired in a buzzer and the turn signal lights into the key-less module so now it operates just like an OEM unit with the flashes and beeps. I will still need to come up with a backup mechanism to be able to get into the car just in case the remote unlocking mechanism fails in someway. I have also started installing the power windows.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RChjy7fWpkhLrRcw7

I did run into an issue with one of my switchback LED turn signal/reverse lights failing. The white LEDs for the reverse would no longer come on. I tried locating a replacement bulb on amazon, but what I found is that the securing pins on the shaft of the bulb that came with the kit are both at the bottom (mirror image) of the shaft. I think this design is typically just for an 1156 part number. The 1156 part does not come in switch back form. Only the 1157 part with offset securing pins (one high and one low) come in the switch back form. So right now I had to force the 1157 bulb in the socket in order to get it to fit. Something is not right about this. I can't figure out where the switchback 1156 LEDs came from.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wECAmgdjhuUrhTUP9