Door locks

[lightningrod]

Hello All,
My door locks have a different key than the ignition, this is a 1988. I do not know if any
of the locks have been changed out over the years, but this is what I have now.

So the deal is, I don't have the door key, the previous owner lost it and never locked the truck.

Do the door panels have to come off so a locksmith can get to the lock ?

I won't take the panels off if I don't have to, but of course I will if I have to.

 

[Dirtman]

You don't need a locksmith, you can buy new lock cylinders with keys online or at most parts stores. They are not expensive and are very simple to replace, they are just held in with a couple clips. Yes the door panels do need to come off to swap them out.

 

[lightningrod]

Thanks Dirtman, that's the new plan then !

 

[RobbieD]

If you already know this, pardon me.

In 1988 you had separate keys for the door locks and the ignition switch. Round key for the doors, square key for the ignition.

You can basically go two ways. You can buy a door lock cylinder set with keys (a good kit will also include the glove box). Or, you can pull a door lock cylinder and take it to a locksmith and have a key cut.

 

[lightningrod]

I forgot about the glovebox, is that normally the same key as the door ?

 

[RobbieD]

Without my going out to one of my trucks and checking it to confirm, I'm pretty sure that the round door key also locks / unlocks the glovebox.

 

[lightningrod]

OK thanks Robbie

 

[RobbieD]

Glad to help, and good luck with it.

The last truck I bought came without a door key, but it's a '94 Explorer which has a "one key fits all". I pulled a door lock cylinder and took it to a locksmith, and it was $16.90 total for the lock to be "read" and three keys cut to fit it (and the ignition).

 

[broncc]

In my case the glove box is a separate, smaller key. In '89.

 

[mtnrgr]

My old 88 ranger had two keys, as said above. The square head key for ignition, round head key for the doors. From what I recall my 88 did not have a locking glove box. The key would go in, but not lock it. In 89 ford went with a single ranger key for the door, glove box which locked, and ignition.

Drive your ranger to a locksmith or have a mobile one come to you, they can make a key with the locks still in the doors. There is no real need to buy a new kit or take apart the doors when you don't need to.

 

[Dirtman]

There is no real need to buy a new kit or take apart the doors when you don't need to.

Cost would be a good reason...

New locks and keys are only $20 bucks and take 30 minutes at most to replace both.

Unless locksmiths haven't raised their labor rates since 1692. I know its a simple job for them but still. but hey if you call around and find someone who would do it for 20 bucks or so, then yea i agree why bother messing with it.

 

[lightningrod]

MountainRanger, that would sure be more covenient.
Maybe I'll make some phone calls before I take the truck apart.
I have a bad habit of taking things apart and not getting them back together..............................

 

[vigness]

If you are careful, the inner panel does not need to come out.

Pulling the clip on the edge of the door will release the lock body. Bring it out and twist a bit, and the connecting rod will come out through the hole just enough for you to twist the lock off it. I use a twist tie or zip tie on the end to keep it where I can get a hold of it and prevent it from falling back inside. Once you have it disconnected, You can pull it out enough to release the E clip on the lock tail to slip the switch off if it has it. Just reverse the process to reinstall. If you have an ignition lock key, just take the door and glove box locks in and have them all keyed alike