This part exists for one reason: GM’s original design wasn’t very good.
Like most of the products we make, this one started because we needed it ourselves. While working on one of our own Oldsmobiles, I found the door lock rod retainers were brittle, cracked, or simply missing. Could be the 50 plus years of age or the structure fire it was in either way, I did what everyone does—we asked the classic GM community where to buy replacements.
The answers were almost unanimous.
- “These are about the only ones available.”
- “They work… until they break.”
- “They’re new, but they’re just as fragile as the originals.”
That’s all I needed to hear.
Around here we don’t believe in replacing a weak part with another weak part. If we’re going to make something, we’re going to make it better. So that’s exactly what I did.
The Backwoods Difference
Instead of copying a 50-year-old design, we started from scratch.
Our retainers are manufactured from modern UV-resistant engineering materials that won’t become brittle like the originals or many aftermarket replacements. Then we redesigned the stress points that commonly fail, giving the clip more flexibility where it needs it while keeping a secure grip on the lock rod.
The result is a retainer that installs easily, holds tight, and is built to survive decades of use instead of a few door slams. Because the best repair is the one you never have to do again.
Features
- Complete 4-piece set
- Fits many 1969–1977 GM vehicles
- Manufactured from UV-resistant engineering material
- Reinforced design reduces common breakage
- Secure fit on factory lock rods
- Direct replacement with no modifications required
- Designed and manufactured in Michigan by Backwoods Fabrications
Why We Built It...
At Backwoods Fabrications, we don’t chase product catalogs. We solve problems. Every product we sell started because we needed it on one of our own cars. If something is poorly engineered, constantly breaking, or impossible to find, we redesign it the way we think GM would have if they had today’s materials and technology.
We’re Oldsmobile owners first. The parts just happen to be what comes after.
What’s Included
- Four (4) redesigned door lock rod retainers