SL-C Manual: Body Latches & Locking Pins

Mount the latch mechanisms as shown in the photos. The nose latch requires trimming on the rear inside edge as you can see in the photo below.

Once the latch mechanisms are installed and the nose or tail is closed, you can use a pen up through the latch to mark where the locking pin hole needs to be drilled.

You can try working initially with smaller holes in the body above the latches for the latch pins to enter through. But to give ample clearance you will need a 40mm diameter round hole for the rear clip, and a 65mm x 30mm oval hole for the front clip. The holes will need to be right in the corner of that body section. There are photos below to give you an idea of the size and location required for the holes. You can purchase decorative aluminum trim covers for the holes from Superlite.

Nose Latch. Note the small grinding needed on the latch (on the narrow side of the latch shown here) to move the assembly in to obtain perfect fit

Nose Latch Pin:

Tail Latch: 

Tail Latch Pin:

When installing the pins, be sure they are correctly aligned, and test them. When you are sure they are correct, apply thread locker on the nuts to make sure they don’t get out of adjustment.

Nose Latch Pin Hole with polished stainless trim cover attached:

Tail latch pin hole before the polished stainless trim cover is attached.

If you aren't hinging the nose, it is a good idea to use some type of locking device at the front edge of the nose. In normal use, the body can lift a bit especially over bumps when the nose is unsecured.

The simplest solution is to use quick release locking pins (also known as pip pins) that slide through the body horizontally on the wall that separates the brake duct from the main radiator opening. This pin will lock the body down onto the aluminum supporting bracket on the front edge of the front chassis extension.

Suitable quick release pins can be purchased from any speed shop, including Jegs, Summit and Speedway. See the photos of mounting these quick release pins.

To ensure the mounting pin will locate securely through the aluminum mounting bracket, measure the location of this bracket back onto the body to find a suitable place to drill the hole. Drill a pilot hole through the fiberglass and aluminum bracket while the nose is closed, then drill out the holes in fiberglass and aluminum individually to a suitable size for the pin with the nose.

Foam seal along where the front shell rests on the splitter will reduce fretting marks and help seal against water and air intrusion in this area. Allow for this seal when drilling the locations for the quick release pins.