Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Retro fitting locking door handles

I'm considering retro fitting some locking door handles, I like the look and feel more comfortable in securing/opening the door rather than reaching inside and opening, having slided the window open. Has anyone done this, and is it straight forward to do. Would I need yo replace the current door lock as well, or would it have the capability to add an external handle as it is? TIA

Doesn't seem difficult to me. Last time I saw the anatomy of the lock; I noticed a square hole in the center of the locking mechanism. When that was turned, it became unlocked. As the hole is reachable from both sides, it should be a question of drilling a well-centered hole in the door (perhaps start with a pilot hole drilled from the inside). The door handle comes with a bar with a square transsection (just like most door handles) which then is introduced into the square hole of the mechanism from the outside. You fix the handle to the door with a couple of screws, and that's it. I must admit I have not done this, but I have checked out both the lock and the handle - as I considered fitting handles, but abandoned the idea as not really needed.You can start with taking off the lock covers and see if I am right. At least on my car it seemed quite obvious.

Thanks Robbie. I assumed it would be everything you have said. Just need to be brave enough to get the drill out 😂

I would do the following:
Use a punch to mark the drill hole from the inside, through the square hole of the lock.
Drill a pilot hole, again from the inside. In that way it should be perfectly centered.
Now drill from the outside a hole with the diameter you need. Use a step drill bit, so much better when drilling metal plates.
The one thing I do not know is how to fix the to screws of the door handle mounting plate to the door - whether you have the space to fit nuts inside or should use a parker screw. You'll find out.

Given parts book book image below it looks like the door lock is held by captive studs on plates inserted through the outer side of wood section 12. The hole for retro fit door handle would pass though this wood section (may already be there) with external handle help in place with wood screws into same section, much like door mirrors are held on with wood screws into door frame elsewhere.

Hi Leroy,

Robbie is correct that as a generality locks work as he describes (a square spindle goes through a lock (follower) with handles on the ends).

I appreciate you car is 2004 but this item is a bit of a non technical item and my 2006 parts book differs in that the spindle looks as though it is attached to the lock plate, not a spindle through the square follower from the inside handle. I do admit I have not removed the lock to confirm this but I’m sure this is correct. If I were you I’d take it off for a look see.

If as my car I would be shocked if MMC had different locks for handle and handleless cars and your car actually has the fixed spindle. If so try using plasticine to help determine a drilling location..

Incidentally, strictly speaking the the door lock is a rim latch, there is no locking in the mechanism. The handle “locks” by a cam action on the rose when turning the key (sorry, more useless info). The handle mechanism should be removed now and then for a thorough degrease and re lubricated, it’s amazing the muck/rust that will collect.

Finally, I have never used my locks!

Hope this helps

My '74 car has a square extension on the door skin side of the lock and a hole in the frame to accommodate it. I don't know whether an outside handle would mate directly with this as mine doesn't have any! Yours may differ being a newer car.
I'd agree with the idea of using plasticine to determine a drilling position as I doubt if it will be central to the frame hole (it is a Morgan after all!)

Thanks for the advice guys. Not sure I understand the using plastacine suggestion, or maybe I'm just being thick.

If your door frame has a hole for the handle extension of the door catch mechanism and has the extension then put some plasticine in the hole and offer up the mechanism again. This will leave an indentation in the plasticine and will give you a guide as to where to drill the door skin. It won't necessarily be central to the frame hole. If your frame does not have a hole for the handle (and thus no extension on the lock mechanism but a square hole for an insert) then put a thin film of plasticine on the frame and offer up the mechanism. This will leave an impression in the plasticine to use as a guide for drilling the frame. I've no experience of the latter as mine already has a hole in the frame to accommodate an existing extension.

Thanks LG for updating.
Leroy, just to add if you are really intent on fitting handles……aluminium is very easily stressed so be extremely gentle with the drilling.