88 Ranger Glove Box Key

[h_f_davidson]

Hi all—pulled a lockable glove box knob out of an 88 Ranger to swap into my 84, but the lock didn’t come with a key. Tried several automotive locksmiths but all of them have said they can’t make a new key. Any advice on where to get one made, or get one generally? Would any Ranger glove box key from that year work or were they specific to each truck? Help much appreciated, thanks!

 

[Curious Hound]

I would expect it to be same as door key for that truck. But I wouldn’t bet a whole paycheck on that.

 

[JoshT]

Like Eric said, same style key as we door lock I think, but you said it came from a different trruck. Can you find the key for the truck it came from, or maybe pull the door locks and see if a locksmith can make a key from that?

A good locksmith should be able to fit a key to your existing lock, even the one from the glovebox. I've seen the tools for doing it when browsing that kind of stuff in the past. Alternatively they should be able to re-key the lock to your key.

I guess locksmiths are like so many other trades, the true masters are retired or dead. What replaced them can't do anything unless a machine tells them how, or can't be bothered to put in the effort if they do know how.

 

[RobbieD]

I guess locksmiths are like so many other trades, the true masters are retired or dead. What replaced them can't do anything unless a machine tells them how, or can't be bothered to put in the effort if they do know how.

Amen.

 

[h_f_davidson]

I guess locksmiths are like so many other trades, the true masters are retired or dead. What replaced them can't do anything unless a machine tells them how, or can't be bothered to put in the effort if they do know how.

Yep, this is pretty much the issue I've been having--nobody in my area seems able to either re-key the lock or just, fit a key. When I got my 84 it didn't have the door keys and I ended up having the exact same issue I'm having with the glove box: nobody could just fit a new key to the old locks. End of the day I just replaced the door locks with a new pair that came with the key. Seems wild to me that it's been such a small but diligent hassle trying to find someone to just fit a key?

Truck I pulled it from didn't have the door/ignition keys with it (it was a salvage yard find, pretty gutted by the time I got to it--mostly I just rustled up all the trim screws I was missing) but I can go back and pull the door locks and see if I can get a key fit to those! Will continue hassling local locksmiths, too, lol. Thanks for the info and advice!

 

[superj]

we have the same problem here in corpus christi texas. i cannot get a locksmith to make a key and when you can finally find someone, they want a few hundred bucks to make one key and then it doesn't work so you are constantly going back and forth trying to get them to fix it

 

[Shran]

Simple economics... they probably know exactly how to do it but they also know that very few people are willing to pay $50 or more an hour to make keys from scratch when we can buy a whole new set of door locks & ignition cylinder for a fraction of that.

To answer your question, yes, it is the door key that is used for the glove box lock.

 

[JoshT]

I somewhat understand that viewpoint, most people wouldn't want to pay $50/hr when the lock can be replaced. Not all locks can be replaced though. Plenty of situations like this where replacements are not available. I also feel that $50/hr is kind of rediculous, but part of the reason for that is probably to drive away jobs like these. Probably thinking why spend time on jobs like that when faster and easier jobs can bring in more money.

I'm pretty sure that in profit vs time cutting and cloning a door key is much more profitable. Retrieving locked in car keys surely is, as most are wedge the door and push the button with a stick. $100+ for 20 minutes work using tools that are long since paid for. I'm sure a few jobs are more difficult, but those would be the exception.

Not saying that all locksmiths are like that, just the few I've dealt with in my area.

 

[Curious Hound]

I also feel that $50/hr is kind of rediculous,

Paying that if you can do it yourself may ne ridiculous. But the locksmith charging that is not ridiculous.

Less than half of that goes into his personal pocket at the end of the day. He's running a business. He has a vehicle to maintain, fuel and pay taxes on. He most likely has a building to maintain and pay lease or mortgage on, electric bill, phone/internet service bill, computer systems to pay, insurance on himself, vehicle, building and liability for the business. Business licensing fees, sometimes separate for each city, town or county he does work in. Pay into social security and unemployment and much more. A locksmith often comes to your location to do the work. So his billable time starts when he leaves the shop and ends when he returns. Why? Because that travel time is spent on your specific job. He isn't working on another billable job while he's driving to your job. If it's something you bring to him at his location, he may cut you a break on that.

$50 an hour sounds low. I was charging that much for service calls as an electrician way back in the 90's

 

[Shran]

Yeah $50/hour was just a guess. I haven't had to pay a locksmith in a long time. We charge $110/hour for tech services... the Dodge dealer in town charges $200/hour.