Can door key cylinders be "Re-Keyed"?

[IronTom]

Hello all,

I recently purchased 2003 Ranger FX4 Level 2. It came with one original key and the remote key fob. This key only opens the passenger door and works with the ignition. The drive door has a different key cylinder.

Can a door key cylinder be "re-keyed" by a locksmith, or does a new cylinder need to be ordered?

Cheers,
Tom

PS: I plan on getting a second key made

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I haven’t yet done it, but the cylinders can indeed be re-keyed. Door cylinder should be a wafer style, using flat plates with springs.

With a second key, I would highly recommend getting a locksmith that can program it into the computer or if you have Forscan or someone who has a code reader that can do key programming, do it that way. Most “hardware” stores and stuff can cut you a key chip, but they use a machine to “clone” the chip in your key. Which works, but as far as the computer in the vehicle cares, you still only have one key, which means you can’t program new keys yourself. Not really the end of the world unless the computer happens to forget that key. Also, with programming new keys directly into the computer, they can delete the keys you don’t have that are stored in there, so anyone who might still have a key to your truck can no longer start it.

 

[pjtoledo]

is it really a different cylinder, or maybe just gunked up enough that it doesn't work?
my 2005 does that, needs cleaning occasionally.
worn keys don't help the issue either.

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^

Yes, any lock, vehicle or home, can be changed to match a key for that type of lock
What I would do is to order/get a new door lock cylinder then take that to a locksmith and have them re-key it to match your current key
Drivers door locks get worn out way faster than passenger door lock
Then swap out the old for the new

Also while at the locksmith have them CLONE your current working PATS(transponder) key and cut it to match
This is the least expensive option to have a spare working key

A locksmith can add new PATS keys using a laptop hooked up to the vehicle, but costs more, its a 45-90min process to add new keys
But in this process he can erase all the old PATS keys, so previous owners can't start the engine, if they have/find a lost key

You can add new Fobs yourself, easy to do, this also erases all the old Fobs no longer in your possession, its just part of the re-programming of the Fobs you do have

 

[scotts90ranger]

A locksmith should be able to rekey a cylinder. I've done it without the right tools but the end results aren't too pretty as you have to get the stainless outer deal off to get the cylinder apart, it didn't go back on the cleanest...

 

[IronTom]

Thank you all for the advice and recommendations. I am ordering a new Strattec, pn 5918997 w/Jewel logo key (PATS II) and door lock cylinder... Then off to the locksmith to have the key programmed and the cylinder re-keyed.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[SenorNoob]

I had no trouble rekeying new door locks. Of course the older locks are probably simpler.
I bought a set of door cylinders for an Explorer and changed the pins to match my ignition key. Now I just wish I new how to change the glove box key..

 

[scotts90ranger]

The old cylinders are much simpler, they just have the metal clip over the pins outside of the cylinder, you don't have to take the trim piece off to get them apart, on the newer ones the trim piece holds the mess together and everything comes out the front instead of the back. On my '90 someone tried to break into it with a screwdriver back in the day and I got a new cylinder from the junkyard and rekeyed that easy as pie, when I went to fix the '97 since I didn't get it with the stock drivers door I had to get more inventive, it's not using all the pins but it's enough...