New to me 1992 Ranger, now a few questions

[bottlerocket]

Just drove home in a 1992 Ranger 2.3L 5sp. Really loving this truck so far but have a few questions.

1. Is there a way to get new keys cut for the door locks? The owner had the ignition key but no door lock keys and the door locks seem to be 180 out from what the ignition key is, i.e. the straight on profile for the ignition key is down/left/down and the door lock is down/right/down. Can I get new keys cut with a VIN or just get a new set of locks perhaps? I really have no way of locking this truck up right now

2. Are the side mirrors able to be tightened? The passenger one seems to have some tension but not enough to keep it from drooping to look at the ground after a few minutes on the highway.

3. Last one, what used to go below my HVAC controls? There is a small slot about the size of a 1.5 DIN radio deck below the HVAC controls. Not sure if it used to have an ashtray or pull-out cupholders or whatever. And if it was an ashtray and not cupholders, what do you guys use for cupholders in this thing?

 

[dinosore]

welcome to the forums. I love my 3.0 92 ranger.

1. key can be cut using vin from ford. Get on then make copies of your pairs.
2. I would just go to a yard and scoop some up. Messing with a mirror that is already not holding position will eventually re-droop
3. pull out ash tray and cigarette. If you feel you need one while at the yard stocking up on mirrors grab one.

 

[bottlerocket]

welcome to the forums. I love my 3.0 92 ranger.

1. key can be cut using vin from ford. Get on then make copies of your pairs.
2. I would just go to a yard and scoop some up. Messing with a mirror that is already not holding position will eventually re-droop
3. pull out ash tray and cigarette. If you feel you need one while at the yard stocking up on mirrors grab one.

Thanks for the help. I'll be stopping at the Ford dealer tomorrow!

 

[kunar]

Thanks for the help. I'll be stopping at the Ford dealer tomorrow!

the last time i talked to a dealer about cutting keys from a vin, they said they only hold the info for 10 years. this was just a few months ago, and they already had info in the system for MY2014, so the oldest keys they could cut were MY2004.

you should be able to buy lock cylinders in a matched pair and they are really easy to replace. only downside is that the ones you get from a parts store are really cheaply made and get loose and wobbly after just a year or so of regular use.

another option would be taking your existing cylinder to a locksmith and having them disassemble it to get the "code" then have a key made from that. the local place here would probably charge $30-45

probably the best option IMO would be to scour a junkyard till you find a truck with the keys in it. pop out both lock cylinders, dont forget the glove box lock if equipped. im guessing my local yard would charge ~$10 for the locks and a key

 

[bottlerocket]

the last time i talked to a dealer about cutting keys from a vin, they said they only hold the info for 10 years. this was just a few months ago, and they already had info in the system for MY2014, so the oldest keys they could cut were MY2004.

you should be able to buy lock cylinders in a matched pair and they are really easy to replace. only downside is that the ones you get from a parts store are really cheaply made and get loose and wobbly after just a year or so of regular use.

another option would be taking your existing cylinder to a locksmith and having them disassemble it to get the "code" then have a key made from that. the local place here would probably charge $30-45

probably the best option IMO would be to scour a junkyard till you find a truck with the keys in it. pop out both lock cylinders, dont forget the glove box lock if equipped. im guessing my local yard would charge ~$10 for the locks and a key

Yep thats the same thing they told me that they're limited to MY04 and after so looks like I'll be hitting some junkyards soon.

 

[kunar]

Yep thats the same thing they told me that they're limited to MY04 and after so looks like I'll be hitting some junkyards soon.

probably best that way anyways, grab all your stuff in one trip. the locks, the mirrors and the interior stuff...

 

[scotts90ranger]

If you look in the tech library I believe there is a tech article on the mirrors that I wrote 10+ years ago, basically with the mirrors off, grind/drill off the smushed parts that holds the spring plate on, then drill and tap those posts for a screw then yes it is adjustable... in the 10ish years since I've done it I think I've only had to tighten them once.

 

[knapp95]

I have a 1992 ranger 2.3l 5 speed. I love it! hard to find some accessories sometimes though.

 

[buckshotmudder]

I had droopy mirrors and was gonna try scotts90ranger idea but I just bought new mirrors from the ford dealer. What a mistake that was as the new mirrors did the droopy in about a years time. I just tossed em and put different mirrors on.

 

[90longbed]

as far as the key issue I have always just taken out one door lock and took it to a locksmith to have a key made..... the only time I bought new ones was because the old ones were so worn any key would work.... mine had droopy mirrors too... I went with a different style mirror and they were only $10 each.... I have found in my area you can buy new mirrors at an auto parts store cheaper than you can at the junkyard.... some of the aftermarket replacements can be tightened up with a screw on the back(comes that way)