MCI8 Door Lock Installation

PNWorBUST72 · February 25, 2018, 11:06:21 AM

So I want to add a RV style lock to the MCI8 door.

There is no key or door release that I or the previous owner knew of so we need to open the door via a stick through the driver side window to release the door "lock" mechanism and then walk around and pull the door open.

There is a red knobbed lever below the driver side dash, that SAYS door disconnect but it does nothing.

When other have installed some sort of door lock, did you disengage the air lock mechanism?

luvrbus · February 25, 2018, 11:15:45 AM

My MCI 8 had a Ford lock from the factory used the doubled sided key just like the Ford pickups

buswarrior · February 25, 2018, 01:59:54 PM

Stick in the window?

Where's the button on the front of the coach to push the door mechanism over-centre?

For door lock install ideas, and lots more MC8 stuff, see Fred Hobe's builders pages. He converted dozens and dozens of buses for other people, back before the internet made it "easy"...

http://www.coachconversioncentral.com/fredhobe.htm

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

PNWorBUST72 · February 25, 2018, 07:35:34 PM

Thats what I said, isn't there supposed to be some way to unlock the door for the driver from the outside? No clue, I am thinking maybe its under that "upgraded front panel" thing they put on but maybe never bothered to cut it out?

Anyone know if this upgrade front panel is an MCI thing or something aftermarket? It appears to be missing some moulding pieces to it as well. I will get pictures this week.

I plan on calling Fred tomorrow.

neoneddy · February 25, 2018, 11:29:25 PM

Are you locked out then?

PNWorBUST72 · February 26, 2018, 06:11:56 AM

No,but I am not able to fully lock the door or close all the windows.

I am assuming that once I install some sort of door locking mechanism, most people disconnect the air locks?

buswarrior · February 26, 2018, 06:29:36 AM

No, no and no.

Do not disconnect the air lock. The door will be sucked open against whatever mechanism you install, and whistle like a hurricane down the highway.

With incremental adjustments, you can make the door hard to lock with the handle inside, and it won't lock by pushing it closed from outside. And I mean incremental... the turnbuckle under the cover for the door arm is the adjustment.

MCI does not produce "tart yer bus up" panels. Completely aftermarket, and as you are finding out, short in the details, like trim and a door opener button...

Has anyone heard from Fred Hobe recently? Those builder pages were written back when the internet was AOL and dial-up for most of us... he was winding down back then...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

PNWorBUST72 · February 26, 2018, 06:42:16 AM

Ahh ok, Ill check out the adjustment then cause right now its gonna break a finger if it gets ya closing.

So the big silver handle has to stay too?

lostagain · February 26, 2018, 08:08:23 AM

You have to either restore the mechanism back to original, with the push button outside on the front, and the handle on the dash. Or remove that assembly altogether, and close the door with a handle mounted on the door itself, and have a deadbolt to lock it. In any case, I would not remove the air claw that draws the door tight when shut. As mentioned by BW, it is necessary so it doesn't whistle while underway. You mentioned that the red button under the dash doesn't do anything: you need to look into that. It controls the door claw. Do you have a maintenance and parts manuals for your bus. You need one.

JC

luvrbus · February 26, 2018, 08:22:36 AM

In the electrical panel under the drivers window at the top in the forward corner there should be a emergency release if it has not been removed and still works

PNWorBUST72 · February 26, 2018, 08:51:08 AM

Ill go look for that emergency button , its in the panel on the outside of the buss correct?

I have a Maintenance manual but am waiting on the parts one from coachinfo.com.

Does anyone have a pic of where the button in the front of the coach would be or looks like? I might have to pull that whole panel off....

luvrbus · February 26, 2018, 09:20:23 AM

It is not a button it is a pull cable like a choke cable used way back on vehicles it is in the upper corner of the outside electrical panel

PNWorBUST72 · February 26, 2018, 09:29:02 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on February 26, 2018, 09:20:23 AM
It is not a button it is a pull cable like a choke cable used way back on vehicles it is in the upper corner of the outside electrical panel

Rgr that, thanks!

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · February 26, 2018, 11:46:05 AM

I used a Volvo truck door latch on mine. Fit perfectly. Check out your local junkyard.

Branderson · February 27, 2018, 10:02:29 AM

Quote from: PNWorBUST72 on February 25, 2018, 11:06:21 AM
So I want to add a RV style lock to the MCI8 door.

There is no key or door release that I or the previous owner knew of so we need to open the door via a stick through the driver side window to release the door "lock" mechanism and then walk around and pull the door open.

There is a red knobbed lever below the driver side dash, that SAYS door disconnect but it does nothing.

When other have installed some sort of door lock, did you disengage the air lock mechanism?

On my MCI8, I have that red knob lever that air locks. I lock it when I'm driving so the door won't fly open. I also have a small latch on the inside of the door that I close when I'm driving. On the outside I have a key lock that I lock when I'm outside.