Door latch
 

I am extreemly pleased with the Hendricks latch I put on my 4. Here is their website, you should take a look at this at least.

http://store-hendricksmfg-com.3dcart...ches_c_11.html

My Rocket came to me as a "forward to lock" but I further modified it to have a stout over center action as well as a warning light. The mod was amazingly simple and really amounted to little more than changing the fwd rod from a clevis to a rod end.

use of rod end
 

Some questions to Michael (Toolbuilder):
I assume the rod end was needed because the over center lock or is there another reason?
Did you use other rods than originaly specified to screw in the rod end?

Take a look at the Hendricks door latchs for the RV4. I put one on mine and love it, I also got the one you can lock with a key.
http://store-hendricksmfg-com.3dcart...ches_c_11.html

Here's a pic( I hope) of the Vans safety latch. Like Bill E. says simple and effective

Skip

Yes, to allow the handle to rotate through 180 degrees. A fork on the front rod won't work (double shear).

I changed the front rod to steel so I could weld in a threaded stud for the rod end and also a washer at the front guide location to act as a positive stop for the over center action. The rod end simply adjusts to set the tension.

Pull to lock
 

One consideration is that will the " pull to lock " if pilot is incapacitated in a mishap the backseater can put their left foot on the knob and push it forward a **** of a lot easier than trying to reach the" forward to close " knob and pull it back. Just my two cents Cheers. Stew