Door locks, trunk locks, ignition lock cylinders....

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Kern Dog

Kern Dog

Build your car to handle.
FABO Gold Member
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Location
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I have a few cars here that need door locks. A couple have ignition keys but no door locks. I know that I can buy lock sets but I am wondering if there is another way.
With the variable quality of aftermarket reproduction stuff, I wonder what can be done to "re-key" a lock cylinder.
Can a locksmith take an ignition key and reset the guts of a door lock to match the ignition?
Could they take a used door lock, make a key from it then "re-key" a ignition cylinder to match?
I probably have 15 or more door lock cylinders from the late 60s to mid 70s and they all look the same, even ones for trucks. I also have several 1970+ style steering column lock cylinders with no keys. It would be nice to be able to use them.
Since these came new with a matching door and ignition, how hard could it be?
I have the following that need door locks:
67 Dart
69 Dart (Needs ignition key too)
70 Charger
71 Duster (Needs ignition key too)
72 Duster
75 Power Wagon.
I don't know of any locksmiths near me. I could probably find someone if I looked. I just wondered who else encountered the same situation and what you did.
If you used a reproduction, what brand worked well for you?
 
Yes- an “automotive lock smith” can.
Please be advised: not all auto locksmiths have in their vehicles the proper parts or the knowledge to rekey old car locks. You have to interview them on the phone before hand.
Locksets today are kinda different than locks of old. Not all locksmiths are trained in the old stuff and be very careful letting them take your stuff apart to get the locks out. They typically have you sign a wavier if stuff (like door panels or paint) gets damaged they are not at fault.
 
There was a guy I think Warrten on FCBO that forgot more about Mopar locks than a locksmith knows. Holy crap had a three hour conversation on the differences of the key blanks alone at Carlisle,
 
There's a great locksmith in West Sac here that I had re-key the door locks on my 68 years ago. He's an older gentleman who loves old Mopars. When I brought in the door locks, he knew right away they were for and old Mopar and asked that I drove the Dart when I picked them up. Really nice guy. He works out of this shed in front of the Raley's on West Capitol and Westacre.

1733323181785.png


After looking into it though, it's actually not that hard at all, especially if you have an abundance of lock pins from old lock cylinders on hand. I ended up re-keying the door locks on my '66 not too long ago and just did the ignition lock cylinder last weekend to match. The ignition lock cylinder is a tad more intricate because the plate that holds the pins and springs in is swedged into the cylinder casting so the springs and follower pins have to go in from the cylinder side. Still very doable though. I can walk you through it if you want to give it a go!
 
Kern Dog said:
I have a few cars here that need door locks. A couple have ignition keys but no door locks. I know that I can buy lock sets but I am wondering if there is another way.
With the variable quality of aftermarket reproduction stuff, I wonder what can be done to "re-key" a lock cylinder.
Can a locksmith take an ignition key and reset the guts of a door lock to match the ignition?
Could they take a used door lock, make a key from it then "re-key" a ignition cylinder to match?
I probably have 15 or more door lock cylinders from the late 60s to mid 70s and they all look the same, even ones for trucks. I also have several 1970+ style steering column lock cylinders with no keys. It would be nice to be able to use them.
Since these came new with a matching door and ignition, how hard could it be?
I have the following that need door locks:
67 Dart
69 Dart (Needs ignition key too)
70 Charger
71 Duster (Needs ignition key too)
72 Duster
75 Power Wagon.
I don't know of any locksmiths near me. I could probably find someone if I looked. I just wondered who else encountered the same situation and what you did.
If you used a reproduction, what brand worked well for you?
Click to expand...
You betcha they can.
Just like so many other things involving our cars, look for the old guy; probably working out of a little hole in the wall shop, or out of his basement...
It's not overly difficult to do yourself, either. Taught myself the hard way years ago, but here's a great write-up:
How To Recode A Door Lock
 
Old time "locksmiths" are a dying breed, these days if they can't look it up on a computer they tell you they can't do it. With time and patience, you can move the pins and spacers around an impression a new blank. Notice I said "with time and patience", those are the operative words.
 
Search FABO and FBBO.

There's been a lot of info shared.

Bottom line- they are EASY to DIY.
 
Once the OP gets his hands in it he will see how easy it is.
 
Kern Dog said:
I have a few cars here that need door locks. A couple have ignition keys but no door locks. I know that I can buy lock sets but I am wondering if there is another way.
With the variable quality of aftermarket reproduction stuff, I wonder what can be done to "re-key" a lock cylinder.
Can a locksmith take an ignition key and reset the guts of a door lock to match the ignition?
Could they take a used door lock, make a key from it then "re-key" a ignition cylinder to match?
I probably have 15 or more door lock cylinders from the late 60s to mid 70s and they all look the same, even ones for trucks. I also have several 1970+ style steering column lock cylinders with no keys. It would be nice to be able to use them.
Since these came new with a matching door and ignition, how hard could it be?
I have the following that need door locks:
67 Dart
69 Dart (Needs ignition key too)
70 Charger
71 Duster (Needs ignition key too)
72 Duster
75 Power Wagon.
I don't know of any locksmiths near me. I could probably find someone if I looked. I just wondered who else encountered the same situation and what you did.
If you used a reproduction, what brand worked well for you?
Click to expand...
I can do all those things you ask, and have for many members here.. I also have some new quality made sets for most years too. PM me if interested.
 
Kern Dog said:
I have a few cars here that need door locks. A couple have ignition keys but no door locks. I know that I can buy lock sets but I am wondering if there is another way.
With the variable quality of aftermarket reproduction stuff, I wonder what can be done to "re-key" a lock cylinder.
Can a locksmith take an ignition key and reset the guts of a door lock to match the ignition?
Could they take a used door lock, make a key from it then "re-key" a ignition cylinder to match?
I probably have 15 or more door lock cylinders from the late 60s to mid 70s and they all look the same, even ones for trucks. I also have several 1970+ style steering column lock cylinders with no keys. It would be nice to be able to use them.
Since these came new with a matching door and ignition, how hard could it be?
I have the following that need door locks:
67 Dart
69 Dart (Needs ignition key too)
70 Charger
71 Duster (Needs ignition key too)
72 Duster
75 Power Wagon.
I don't know of any locksmiths near me. I could probably find someone if I looked. I just wondered who else encountered the same situation and what you did.
If you used a reproduction, what brand worked well for you?
Click to expand...
I can sell you everything you need. All of my stuff is either made in Alabama, Belgium, NOS, or cores that I have refurbished, re-keyed and rebuilt. I've been selling locks and keys for several years and have yet to have the 1st compliant.
But.....
If you have ignition cylinders with keys, and door cylinders without keys, and none of these are daily drivers this is what I would do. I would take the door cylinders, pop the metal caps off the tops, and knock the pins and springs out. Put the key from your ignition cylinder into the door cylinder and turn. If it turns, then put the cap back on and install in the door. If you don't tell them that any older mopar key will open the locks, they'll never know.
You do have to be careful with the ignition cylinders. The 68 cylinder is the same all the way back to 1938, but the switch is different. The 69 is out there all by itself. The 70-71 ignition is the same, just be careful for tilt non-tilt. The 72 thru 75 should be the same.
The 71 that you have should have a number on the top of it. Give me that number and I can likely cut a key. If the 69 is out of the switch, I may be able to do the same. If it's in the switch, it'll have to be picked to remove.
The up side to all of this is, the trunk cylinders are all the same.
Let me know if I can help out.
 
mopowers said:
There's a great locksmith in West Sac here that I had re-key the door locks on my 68 years ago. He's an older gentleman who loves old Mopars. When I brought in the door locks, he knew right away they were for and old Mopar and asked that I drove the Dart when I picked them up. Really nice guy. He works out of this shed in front of the Raley's on West Capitol and Westacre.

View attachment 1716335417

After looking into it though, it's actually not that hard at all, especially if you have an abundance of lock pins from old lock cylinders on hand. I ended up re-keying the door locks on my '66 not too long ago and just did the ignition lock cylinder last weekend to match. The ignition lock cylinder is a tad more intricate because the plate that holds the pins and springs in is swedged into the cylinder casting so the springs and follower pins have to go in from the cylinder side. Still very doable though. I can walk you through it if you want to give it a go!
Click to expand...

I may take apart one of these here to see how complicated it is. I can often stumble through automotive stuff of which I've never actually done or seen done but some things are just beyond my ability. I tried soldering aluminum A/C lines and just couldn't get it right. I can weld but will be taking a welding class at the junior college to get better at it.
I am okay with letting professionals do some things that I just can't figure out. If it gets to be too frustrating, it makes sense to just walk away.

cudamark said:
I can do all those things you ask, and have for many members here.. I also have some new quality made sets for most years too. PM me if interested.
Click to expand...

Thank you for responding. I was hoping for a trusted member to chime in. I may just check in with you.
 
Anytime you get a locksmith involved, it will be more expensive than buying a repo set. After you locksmith it, you still have to polish it. Kits are available to re-key it yourself, but approaching the price of a repo set.
 
Kern Dog said:
I may take apart one of these here to see how complicated it is. I can often stumble through automotive stuff of which I've never actually done or seen done but some things are just beyond my ability. I tried soldering aluminum A/C lines and just couldn't get it right. I can weld but will be taking a welding class at the junior college to get better at it.
I am okay with letting professionals do some things that I just can't figure out. If it gets to be too frustrating, it makes sense to just walk away.



Thank you for responding. I was hoping for a trusted member to chime in. I may just check in with you.
Click to expand...

You can almost always get three out of the five pins to work using only the pins that come from the existing cylinders.
Sometimes you get lucky and can get four.
The trunk cylinder might come in to play for extra pins.
You still might be able to put that back with one or two pin sets.


That would be MUCH better than using the door cylinders with ZERO pins installed.
 
With no pins, does that mean that ANY key will fit?
I had a car that was like that!
 
Any correct, Mopar key, even a blank.
 
The down side is that a lock picking lever or even a small pocket screwdriver will also turn the cylinder.
That's why I only recommend if its not a daily or going to be parked on the street regularly.
 
Good point.

Reinforces my "use all the pins you can get to work" statement.
 
gunbunny said:
I can sell you everything you need. All of my stuff is either made in Alabama, Belgium, NOS, or cores that I have refurbished, re-keyed and rebuilt. I've been selling locks and keys for several years and have yet to have the 1st compliant.
But.....
If you have ignition cylinders with keys, and door cylinders without keys, and none of these are daily drivers this is what I would do. I would take the door cylinders, pop the metal caps off the tops, and knock the pins and springs out. Put the key from your ignition cylinder into the door cylinder and turn. If it turns, then put the cap back on and install in the door. If you don't tell them that any older mopar key will open the locks, they'll never know.
You do have to be careful with the ignition cylinders. The 68 cylinder is the same all the way back to 1938, but the switch is different. The 69 is out there all by itself. The 70-71 ignition is the same, just be careful for tilt non-tilt. The 72 thru 75 should be the same.
The 71 that you have should have a number on the top of it. Give me that number and I can likely cut a key. If the 69 is out of the switch, I may be able to do the same. If it's in the switch, it'll have to be picked to remove.
The up side to all of this is, the trunk cylinders are all the same.
Let me know if I can help out.
Click to expand...
Thanks to you as well. I'll report back on what I find out.
 
I found that I have 4 or 5 trunk locks with keys for them.
Door locks...Maybe 6 or more loose in a box and several still in spare doors stored up the hill. I have several ignition cylinders with keys and some without.
I am tempted to pull one door lock cylinder apart just to see the guts of it.
Trunk locks are the easy part. I don't mind buying new since they are a stand alone part with their own key.
I just thought that I'd see about getting door locks to match ignition cylinders to have matched sets for the cars.
The 4 door is a 1969 model and I understand that the ignition switch and lock cylinder are a one year only setup?
 
I haven't priced these in awhile.

1733389819162.png


$69 for a full set? That is cheap!


1733389859122.png


$55 for the door and ignition? Holeee cow that is a good deal as long as they work.

I thought the 1969 stuff was hard to find. Is this ad correct? I don't know enough of what makes the 1969 different from the 1968 and earlier stuff.

1733390435041.png
 
Last edited:
Kern Dog said:
I found that I have 4 or 5 trunk locks with keys for them.
Door locks...Maybe 6 or more loose in a box and several still in spare doors stored up the hill. I have several ignition cylinders with keys and some without.
I am tempted to pull one door lock cylinder apart just to see the guts of it.
Trunk locks are the easy part. I don't mind buying new since they are a stand alone part with their own key.
I just thought that I'd see about getting door locks to match ignition cylinders to have matched sets for the cars.
The 4 door is a 1969 model and I understand that the ignition switch and lock cylinder are a one year only setup?
Click to expand...
Yes.
 
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