The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Lost Keys

Ok, so now Ive done it. I have lost the keys to the ignition, door and glovebox. Any and all suggestions on how to rekey or replace the lock cylinders without destroying the housings.

Thanks Red

Take the lock cylinders to a locksmith.

If the truck is in your garage, the keys are somewhere at your house. I once found a set of keys I lost in the refrigerator. Check all your coat pockets, even on coats you never wear.

On your 1950 truck (I had to look at your previous posts to find out - otherwise would have to guess-- That's a hint to put your truck info in your signature - or at least tell us what you have) you can pull the passenger's door lock and get the 4 digit code off it and give that to the locksmith. The lock comes out by pulling back the weatherstrip and pulling the keeper out of the door. The number will be on the shank of the lock. If your truck has the original locks, that key should fit all three locks.
Otherwise, follow Otto's suggestion.

Ok and Thank you
Red

Took care of your signature line since I was here.

Does one key fit all of the lock cylinders in your truck ?
If so pull the door lock cylinder and take it to a lock smith, there's a number stamped on it and they can make you keys really quick.

I took all locks to a locksmith and he was no help. I will look for the number on the door lock and try a different lock smith.
Thank you
Red

Most of the key codes are on line for people to look up. If you had the cuts, most locksmiths will have a HPC machine and be able to cut it.

This post has the info you'd need on key codes. Note that I found some duplicate notch cuts on the lists, which I don't think would be right.

Any locksmith worth his salt can cut a key using the codes. If they have to pick the lock to get it open (and find the key code on the cylinder of the ignition switch or glove box lock) It'll be a bit more difficult to find someone able to do that.

You might need to find the guy whose shop has dust in the corners and a multitude of old keys hanging from the wall.

The oldtime locksmith I used to do business with would use the kind of magnifier a doctor uses to look into my ears to inspect the tumblers of a lock cylinder, and hand file a blank key with a set of jeweler's files. He rarely if ever had to file a second blank. Sadly, he's working on the lock on the Pearly Gates now!
Jerry

That makes a lot of sense. The tumblers are differently colored, per Walter's post that I linked to.
C is a copper tumbler
N is nickle
B is black
Y is yellow
As long as you could see what color the tumblers are, it would be pretty easy to decode a lock. I may have to try that. Just need to find one of those magnifiers.

Thats what I did with mine. Looked up the depths for my code. Rat tail file.
6 spacings, 5 depths. 1 is a no cut.
Far as the color, thats for a new rekeying kit. Old waffers were not colored.

I just ordered a carriage for old 47-66 GM`s to use with my Curtis #14 dial clipper.
If you have not resolved, just send me the code off the lock. I can make a factory cut key

Just be sure to get an extra set of keys out of this,,,,so next time....

If you have an ol chevy dealer near you they may still have there ring of master keys. The old gm cars and trucks had the same blank. I have used that old ring of keys many times when I worked for Chevrolet back in the early 70s. But any old locksmith could get you fixed up
David

I am still offering the service to bolters who need their old locks keys made by code
or to match a new lock to an old key. In todays world if you live way out in the sticks,
it may be cheaper , quicker and easier to send it to me. The old locks are better quality than those offered new.
I have seen those old locks be so worn that any GM key that is close will allow the side bar
to pull in. Often the key will fall out of the IGN in the ON position if you had a few keys on the ring.
That can be fixed. I started locksmithing in 1984 at my Aunt and Uncles 1938 established locksmith smith shop.
Stories I could tell....too funny.

I found a really old school locksmith that still had the gm code books. Unfortunately my door lock had broken parts, amazingly he had a NOS in the box lock and keys for the glovebox though.