The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Doors 47-49 1st series door lock

I took the passenger door latch assemble off today and welded the grooves on the outer handle rod to make it square again. My question is about the lock, it seams to be in good shape and wondering what others may have done. Here are the options I’m considering.

1- buy a new one for $39.99 plush shipping from Classic Parts and hope it fits correctly.

2- take it to a lock smith and have a key made price TBD.

Any new ideas or input on what others have done is appreciated.

A new key cost me 10.00 which I thought was high until I realized time is money. The key cutter had to look up the code and program it in. It took a while. They would not get rich doing those all day. The key works great. They even shot some of their secret sauce into the lock to make it nice and smooth.

Give me the 4 digit code on the lock shank and I can look and see if I have a key to fit it. If I do you can have it. Or you can do what Twin Jimmy's did. Last time I did that just a few years ago it cost me $5.

Thank you both for the input. I found the number I think it’s 8376 but that 8 could be a 3 so possibly 3376. I very much appreciate the offer if you have the key, if that works out it will help.

I know I’m getting older because I never saw that number until you mentioned it, lol!

It would be 8376 because the numbers run from 8000 thru 9499.

Sorry I don't have a key with that number. But a good locksmith can make one from that number. GM used the same keyway groove style (Briggs and Stratton groove style 15) from 1935 to 1966. B & S B10 and B11 blanks, B10 is the octagon and B11 round.

If original, the door key should match the ignition key.

Thank you for that information, I will head to the locksmith tomorrow.

The key should also match the glove box and spare tire carrier lock, IF you still have one and IF all locks are original to the truck.

Glove box was a different key on early ad trucks just like the cars where in 1950 the door and ignition are different than glove box on purpose
Then later by 53 for sure to reduce cost all keys match
I’m not sure when the change was made

That is why there is a octagonal head and a round head key
The oct. head shape is the ignition and door and the round head key is the glove box
-s

132421 are your cuts. 2manytrucks is right. Then in the 60`s GM went back to 2 keys. IGN+ DR

Thank you all, I’m no locksmith and I was rambling off all the info that you all provided to the really nice lady. She looked at me funny and said, “would you like me to double check or listen to the computer people”! I couldn’t help but laugh but she found all the same info in less than a minute and her and her husband were great people. Had 2 keys made for $15! I didn’t even think to get the key for the glovebox done, too many irons in the fire I guess. Will swing by here tomorrow if it’s a different key.

Thank you all for your input, my experience on this forum has been great and really helps to keep the fire lit under my shorts to get it done.

This was what I had always thought to be true. When I bought my 47 GMC it did not have any keys. I pulled the door lock and had the key cut from that code. To my surprise it worked the ignition and glove box as well. I was not lucky enough to have the spare tire lock. I have since found an original owners manual for the 47 GMC and it states that one key operates all locks. Not sure if Chevy was different from GMC in that respect or if, and when, any changes to that policy were implemented. I do recall from my experience that if the glove box lock will not open with your new key, it is best to just buy a new reproduction lock w/key. The proper code for the glovebox lock can only be revealed by removing the cylinder from the lock assembly which requires a key. Or in the case of no key, trying to find a talented locksmith to pick the lock, remove the cylinder through a process most locksmiths have long forgotten, get a key cut and then put it all back together. Easier and cheaper to replace. If it is currently unlocked you might consider just leaving it unlocked anyway. If somebody wants in and does not know enough to use a sharp knife underneath and cut open the cardboard, they will destroy your dash prying it open. My lock works but I will be leaving the glovebox unlocked.

My experience is only with my Canadian made Chevy and gmc trucks
My red 1950 Chevy 1 ton I got both original keys that had the 4 digit knock out still in the keys with the code that the manual instructs you to remove and keep in a safe place to order new keys, these keys match other trucks I know of but don’t own and replacement keys I have never seen someone stamp the code into the center removable tabs.

Them my 53 Chevy one ton from my grandpa has one common key And my 53 gmc 1 ton dump truck is also 1 common key for everything
-s

I suppose it’s possible my red truck with two keys got a replacement glove box lock in its past and that is why it got a different key
It is sorta common to break the aluminum lock hook on the glove box doors
And maybe the normal service for that failure was just swapping out the whole lock and you got a second key that way and that started this whole 2 keys situation?
-s

I bought a reprint Operator's manual for 1951 and it says that all the keys are the same, and that two hexagonal head keys are provide with the truck. A lot can happen in 70+ years. My truck had an aftermarket style ignition switch, but I managed to get an original style switch and re-keyed it to match the door lock, which I assume was original. But the glove box lock was totally different. Not surprising it had been replaced as the glove box door was pretty beat up. I'm going to settle for a different glove box key, if I ever decide it needs to be locked.

Derail77, I'm happy to hear you got your key issue fixed up.
The lady was probably right confirming the cut numbers.
She doesn't believe that saying that "everything you see on the internet is right", but here on Stovebolt, you can count on us giving you the straight scoop.

Well the key doesn’t work on the glovebox. Could be a new lock on either the door or glovebox, who knows. But it is open so it will stay that way until I decide to change it. $29.99 for a new one isn’t worth it yet to me. I’m buying plenty other parts and the Warden, I mean wife is watching my spending

Darn. I was hoping you might get lucky. At least it is unlocked now! In regards to the "Warden", the term SWMBO is less likely to get you in trouble if she is ever reading over your shoulder, like my wife does from time to time.

Derail77, Sent you a PM.