Door keys - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Number21 · 03-31-2012, 04:44 AM

I don't have door keys to my '73, so I have to always leave it unlocked. It's been this way for so long I forget why, I got it this way.

I know I can replace the lock cylinders and get new keys but I'm lazy and I don't really want to install them. Is it possible for a locksmith to make me a new key for the the locks I already have, without taking it apart?

andrewmp6 · 03-31-2012, 07:17 AM

A good locksmith should be able to cut a key for the door lock you have now.

**old Rusty C10** · 03-31-2012, 09:54 AM

yes they can but it could be pretty costly..upwards of over $100 as opposed to like $12 for door cylinders and an hour labor

craazy22 · 03-31-2012, 10:58 AM

Excuse me, locksmith here, coming through,... Lol, yes true and not true on the above comments. Your key blank is gonna be a Chevy E door Keyway. Locksmiths will charge about 100 bux, it is a lot faster to replace, unless you wanna try to impression the key. Which is what I will do. I can tell you how to if you wanna, very easy. Buy the key blank from your hardware store. It's a very common key blank so it shouldn'tbe hard to get. File down the key like a knife with a fine file. Only on the side where the key cuts will be. Then with some channel locks grab the bow or head of the key and put it in the lock. Soft but firm turn the key clockwise and counter clockwise and shake it slowly up and down. This will leave some marks on the sharp blade like edge you file the key to. With a small rat tail file. File down every where you see a indentation. You can compare your key to the ignition to check for spacing between the kots or indentation. They are normal six on these trucks. Six cuts. It's pretty easy. It takes me about 2 minutes to impression a key. Lmk if you have questions.
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**Corts60** · 03-31-2012, 01:33 PM

I'm confused on why it would cost over $100? I took the ignition cylinder out of my '60 suburban (did not have a key for it), brought it to a locksmith and had two keys made for it and paid a grand total of $12 and it was done 4 hours later.

Are the door locks harder to make a key for?

craazy22 · 03-31-2012, 02:21 PM

No, they are easier to do. It's the locksmiths service charge and time you gonna end up paying high on. I normally charge around 55 dollars trip charge and labor and key included. Too much competition in Houston. Lol. But this is really so easy anyone can do this kinda job.
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RandyP · 03-31-2012, 07:22 PM

Take the lock cylinders out and have them recoded to the ignition key. Carry in to a locksmith shop is a TON cheaper than having them come to you. It is not hard at all to rekey the cylinder if you have the pieces to drop in. I've done it on just about every square I've ever owned, one key is much easier to keep up with.

wilkin250r · 03-31-2012, 07:46 PM

Is it possible to get the door locks re-coded to the ignition key if they aren't the same kind of key originally?

I'm not sure when the years changed, but my particular year has two different kinds of keys for the ignition and doors. I can understand if it is just the tumblers inside, that's simple, I could almost do that myself. But how would the locksmith change the slots that run along the length of the key?

I would LOVE to have the same key for the door and ignition.

What if I buy new door locks, designed for a square ignition key? I'm open to that option, but where would I look? Last I checked from LMC, the door locks were all made for the round key, not the square ignition key.

RandyP · 03-31-2012, 07:56 PM

You just change the tumblers..... The keys have the same "groove" from ignition and door cylinder.

craazy22 · 04-01-2012, 10:49 AM

Randyp is correct, same key way on bboth
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Number21 · 04-02-2012, 02:12 AM

Thanks for the information guys. What would I need to do to pull the lock cylinders? Take off the interior door panel?

One key would be nice, I already have like 8 old GM keys to keep track of...they all look alike!

gchemist · 04-02-2012, 06:20 AM

Install electric locks! Problem solved!!

03-31-2012, 04:44 AM	#1
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Door keys I don't have door keys to my '73, so I have to always leave it unlocked. It's been this way for so long I forget why, I got it this way. I know I can replace the lock cylinders and get new keys but I'm lazy and I don't really want to install them. Is it possible for a locksmith to make me a new key for the the locks I already have, without taking it apart? __________________ '73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville.

03-31-2012, 07:17 AM	#2
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Door keys A good locksmith should be able to cut a key for the door lock you have now.

03-31-2012, 09:54 AM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Door keys yes they can but it could be pretty costly..upwards of over $100 as opposed to like $12 for door cylinders and an hour labor __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

03-31-2012, 10:58 AM	#4
craazy22 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 230	Re: Door keys Excuse me, locksmith here, coming through,... Lol, yes true and not true on the above comments. Your key blank is gonna be a Chevy E door Keyway. Locksmiths will charge about 100 bux, it is a lot faster to replace, unless you wanna try to impression the key. Which is what I will do. I can tell you how to if you wanna, very easy. Buy the key blank from your hardware store. It's a very common key blank so it shouldn'tbe hard to get. File down the key like a knife with a fine file. Only on the side where the key cuts will be. Then with some channel locks grab the bow or head of the key and put it in the lock. Soft but firm turn the key clockwise and counter clockwise and shake it slowly up and down. This will leave some marks on the sharp blade like edge you file the key to. With a small rat tail file. File down every where you see a indentation. You can compare your key to the ignition to check for spacing between the kots or indentation. They are normal six on these trucks. Six cuts. It's pretty easy. It takes me about 2 minutes to impression a key. Lmk if you have questions. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 81 chevy stepside 6.0/t56 swap in progress.... 81 chevy silverado k5 2wd 350 tpi and 700r4.. SOLD 07 chevy colorado "work truck" SOLD 02 chevy silverado z71 off road package

03-31-2012, 01:33 PM	#5
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,697	Re: Door keys I'm confused on why it would cost over $100? I took the ignition cylinder out of my '60 suburban (did not have a key for it), brought it to a locksmith and had two keys made for it and paid a grand total of $12 and it was done 4 hours later. Are the door locks harder to make a key for? __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 73 Chevy C20(Daily)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=852767 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(sold)

03-31-2012, 02:21 PM	#6
craazy22 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 230	Re: Door keys No, they are easier to do. It's the locksmiths service charge and time you gonna end up paying high on. I normally charge around 55 dollars trip charge and labor and key included. Too much competition in Houston. Lol. But this is really so easy anyone can do this kinda job. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 81 chevy stepside 6.0/t56 swap in progress.... 81 chevy silverado k5 2wd 350 tpi and 700r4.. SOLD 07 chevy colorado "work truck" SOLD 02 chevy silverado z71 off road package

03-31-2012, 07:22 PM	#7
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Door keys Take the lock cylinders out and have them recoded to the ignition key. Carry in to a locksmith shop is a TON cheaper than having them come to you. It is not hard at all to rekey the cylinder if you have the pieces to drop in. I've done it on just about every square I've ever owned, one key is much easier to keep up with. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

03-31-2012, 07:46 PM	#8
wilkin250r Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lake Tahoe, Nevada Posts: 755	Re: Door keys Is it possible to get the door locks re-coded to the ignition key if they aren't the same kind of key originally? I'm not sure when the years changed, but my particular year has two different kinds of keys for the ignition and doors. I can understand if it is just the tumblers inside, that's simple, I could almost do that myself. But how would the locksmith change the slots that run along the length of the key? I would LOVE to have the same key for the door and ignition. What if I buy new door locks, designed for a square ignition key? I'm open to that option, but where would I look? Last I checked from LMC, the door locks were all made for the round key, not the square ignition key. __________________ I know a little about cars, but if you have a question about electricity or sport quads, I'm your man!!!

03-31-2012, 07:56 PM	#9
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Door keys You just change the tumblers..... The keys have the same "groove" from ignition and door cylinder. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

04-01-2012, 10:49 AM	#10
craazy22 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 230	Re: Door keys Randyp is correct, same key way on bboth Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 81 chevy stepside 6.0/t56 swap in progress.... 81 chevy silverado k5 2wd 350 tpi and 700r4.. SOLD 07 chevy colorado "work truck" SOLD 02 chevy silverado z71 off road package

04-02-2012, 02:12 AM	#11
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Re: Door keys Thanks for the information guys. What would I need to do to pull the lock cylinders? Take off the interior door panel? One key would be nice, I already have like 8 old GM keys to keep track of...they all look alike! __________________ '73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville.

04-02-2012, 06:20 AM	#12
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Door keys Install electric locks! Problem solved!! __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos



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