• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Shadetree Locksmith, cut your own keys.


Otis413

Active Member
Article Contributor
Joined
Jun 2, 2018
Messages
187
Reaction score
117
Points
43
Location
Cass, WVa
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
Disclaimer: The Ranger Station.com, The Ranger Station.com Staff, nor the original poster are responsible for you doing this modification to your vehicle. By doing this modification and following this how-to you, the installer, take full responsibility if anything is damaged or messed up. If you have questions, feel free to PM the original poster or ask in the appropriate section of The Ranger Station.com forums.

Tools needed: the LISHI Key Cutter, or similar tool for cutting/notching keys. A good file and an old dull pocket knife to use as a de-burring tool.
Parts needed: Cheap blank keys to practice on.

--------------------------------

Most Ford dealerships want over 100 dollars to cut and program a chip key, Ace Hardware wants $89 to clone one. I can get (and have bought) Ford OEM blank chip keys for less then $20 each on Amazon, the only problem is finding someone willing to, and with a modern enough machine to cut your key for you. The solution? Cut your own! Use a tool like the LISHI Key Cutter. I bought it and 10 cheap blank keys to practice on.


33537


Just hold the blank key in the cutter using your original key as a guide, cut the big notches first and then the smaller notches. Use a file and a dull pocket knife to clean up the sharp edges. Practice till you're good at it then you can cut your own expensive (10 to 25 dollar) chip keys.

33538


You can measure your Ford key (8 cut, groove 82 style) keys and write down the number for future reference, a locksmith with the right equipment can make you a new key just from the "cut numbers"
Or, you could make a non-chip copy and keep it somewhere safe in case of emergency..

33539


If your key cylinder goes bad or some jerk messes it up trying to steal yer ride, you can "re-key" a new or used key cylinder to match your original keys by changing out the wafers to match your key. (the wafers are numbered, and match the "cut numbers" for your key, see above.)

33544


There are many good videos online on how to "re-key" a Ford Strattec key cylinder, I recommend watching a few of them before trying it, then get a used cylinder or a cheap replacement to practice on (I got one off Amazon for $11.95) So far I haven't seen one that describes the difference between a "sidebar" and a "non-sidebar" style key cylinder, so hopefully the reference material listed below will help with that.

The difference between sidebar and non-sidebar wafers.

33560

The difference between a sidebar and non-sidebar key cylinder at a glance, they fit the same and look almost identical.

33540



The sidebar system was used up to about 2002 and was replaced with a more reliable system using only the wafers to lock the cylinder.

33541



The non-sidebar wafers protrude upward and downward from the key "plug" into slots in the cylinder housing. (see FIG. 1) Each wafer matches a "cut" in the key, when the proper key is inserted the ends of the wafers move to a position out of the slots allowing the key plug to rotate.


33543



Sidebar style wafers do not protrude from their slots in the plug (see FIG. 5, above) and rely on the sidebar to keep the plug from rotating until the proper key is inserted.
 

Attachments

Last edited:


Otis413

Active Member
Article Contributor
Joined
Jun 2, 2018
Messages
187
Reaction score
117
Points
43
Location
Cass, WVa
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
Replaced the pictures, hope I got them in the right place....
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,870
Reaction score
5,030
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
First time I noticed this article. Thanks for writing it up.
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,702
Reaction score
13,159
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Me too floored... he slipped in through the cover of darkness.

Gonna have to take a closer look at it...

Thanks for taking the time to share it Otis
 

Drag

New Member
Joined
May 29, 2020
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
3
Location
Temple TX
Vehicle Year
2010
Make / Model
ford ranger
Transmission
Manual
Adding a short video of how you do this would be awesome
 

91stranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
1,806
Reaction score
512
Points
113
Location
Whats round on the sides and hi in the middle-OHIO
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Gets Mo Chicks
Engine Size
4.2 straight six powered by gremlins, goblins and mudbloods.
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Interesting but counter-productive if you spend $200 in blanks trying to get it right and $40 for the tool when its $100 at the dealer.... I'd rather have someone else cut and program it because if it doesn't work then it is on them, if you mess up then its on you and now you spend more money. Just my 2 cents.
 

Otis413

Active Member
Article Contributor
Joined
Jun 2, 2018
Messages
187
Reaction score
117
Points
43
Location
Cass, WVa
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
Interesting but counter-productive if you spend $200 in blanks trying to get it right and $40 for the tool when its $100 at the dealer.... I'd rather have someone else cut and program it because if it doesn't work then it is on them, if you mess up then its on you and now you spend more money. Just my 2 cents.
Blank keys are about a buck each (or less in bulk) I think I paid $8.oo for 10 blank non chip keys on Amazon. I got it right on the third try, two Ford OEM keys for abt $30.oo, got them both right first try. I guess it's just how you want to spend your money.
 

TacticalKarma

New Member
Ford Technician
Joined
Oct 4, 2021
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Boston
Vehicle Year
1970
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
About all this, I can add that an ordinary locksmith can replace or pick up the keys to the door, car, etc. And let's say if your car key or the key to the front door is damaged, a locksmith will be able to repair it and provide a replacement kit. But of course, not every locksmith can do this, but I have known the company for a long time mylocallocksmithtx.com, which I often use when there are problems. But it usually wasn't always like that because I used to call locksmiths on an ad, and they did their job somehow negligently and took a lot of money for it.
 
Last edited:

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,475
Reaction score
4,412
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
I had a young lady at the hardware store cut the pattern for my 93 Ranger on one side of a 10 cut blank and the one for my 77 Mustang on the opposite side, all I do is flip the key over and it will do both vehicles. She was a little dubious but I told her she wouldn't be responsible if it didn't work. It worked perfectly and it only cost me $3, I've made keys with just a file before and it isn't worth it. Cloned keys are slightly better than no key, I much prefer to have an actual, programmed duplicate key.
 

rumblecloud

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2020
Messages
1,385
Reaction score
1,105
Points
113
Location
48022
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ranger Splash
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1-1/2 inch front leveling
Total Drop
Stock
Tire Size
31/10.50/15
My credo
What's the worst that could happen?
Very interesting. I've always had an interest in lock-smithing. Thanks for posting
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,702
Reaction score
13,159
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top