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Permalink Reply by John Austin on April 30, 2019 at 7:20am

I assume you're looking for STOL 750 latches? (Remember, in the Open Forum, members don't have a clue which Zenith model you're asking about unless you tell them.  I looked up your member info to see what model Zenith you have.)  I have an Ed. 1 with Ed.2 upgrades and fiberglass-framed doors, so this may/may not be relevant to your needs.

If by front of door, you mean the most-forward latch at the bottom of the door, mine looks like this:

(The red grip is a modification I did to improve the ergonomics of lifting the handle.)

If by front of door, you mean an auxiliary latch on the front leading edge of  the door to close any gap and prevent the door from catching air and pulling open (a reported problem with the fiberglass doors, not sure if the new metal frame doors have this problem).  The windshield trim was replaced with a "Z" flange trim as depicted in the Zenith "weatherproof door drawing" (except I used .050) to provide a more substantial mounting structure:

It is a simple twist latch that is tensioned by a piece of fuel hose.  Works great!

Another useful mod is to install a simple door pull that pulls-to the door in a more balanced location and avoids having to pull on the steel door latch rod:

I also converted the latch on the bottom-center of the door to a handle for locking/unlocking the door.  It is much more convenient to use than the forward latch!  Thanks to Walt Snyder for this idea!

Hope this helps,

John

N750A

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Heiting on August 10, 2019 at 6:56am

John,

Nice latch design and appearance!

Where did you get the front latch?

I have not found them at any of the big box home improvement stores.

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by John Austin on August 10, 2019 at 8:52am

It is a marine "hatch latch." You can probably find them at West Marine or similar marine supply stores - occasionally they have them on Ebay, too.
John

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