Retrofit electric truck door lock

A method for converting a door lock of the type that has a door lock frame with an inside and an outside, a door latch mounted on the door lock frame to move between open and closed positions, a handle on the outside of the frame and coupled to the latch to manually move it, and an original key-operated lock device with an original key cylinder and a lock member that can prevent turning of the latch, wherein said lock frame has a key lock mount portion which holds said lock device and wherein said lock frame has a cylinder-receiving hole which holds said original lock key cylinder with a keyhole thereof accessible from the outside of the lock frame, wherein the method allows for remote electrical control of the door lock comprising:

• removing said original lock device;
• mounting a power frame on said door lock frame, wherein said power frame has a latch-engaging mechanism that is operable between a closed position wherein it prevents opening said door latch and an open position wherein it allows opening of said door latch, an electrically energizable action motor for operating said mechanism, and a key operated power pack lock device which can be key operated to operate said mechanism, wherein said power pack lock device has a key cylinder with a keyhole;
• said mounting a power frame including projecting said key cylinder of said power pack lock device through said cylinder-receiving hole, with the keyhole accessible from the outside of said door lock frame;
• installing a lock device on said power frame to serve as said key operated power pack lock device, by using a lock which is substantially identical to said original lock which was removed, with said lock being installed in an orientation wherein it is rotated about an axis of said original lock cylinder from the position of the original lock device, whereby to enable use of a lock removed from the same or a similar door lock.