Removing Door Lock Tumblers

Jeep dealer cut two keys for $ 4.00, took VIN off registration.

Mark

Thanks. I tried the dealer... the VIN has had the ignition key code associated with it, but not door keys. They said the Jeep must have been re-keyed at some point, which explains why the key that came with it doesn't work I guess and why the key codes I found in the original sales documentation probably won't work according to the dealer.

The local locksmith wants something like $40/lock to re-key. I'm hoping I can do something myself.

Jack

This might help you:

IANALockSmith. From the articles rekeying seems to be done by swapping the pins around, not by filing.

Perhaps you can find a working set of locks with keys at the local junkyard?

-- "We began to realize, as we plowed on with the destruction of New Jersey, that the extent of our American lunatic fringe had been underestimated." Orson Wells on the reaction to the _War Of The Worlds_ broadcast.

Unless you have a hardtop, I wouldn't bother fixing the locks. A friend had his windows sliced open for a gym bag of sweaty clothes. It's not worth it.

CTM

That's right, you're supposed to swap pins around to get the right heights in the right locations....the down and dirty file job means that the pins no longer extend to a good "locking" height. Nothing I haven't done in a pinch, sometimes it means you can turn the lock with a strong twist of a screwdriver. I can't find a 1990-specific schematic, but previous experience has been to undo the retaining nut on the backside and use a mechanic's/dental pick to actuate the pins individually while applying outward pressure. Time consuming...so there's another question:

Assuming the doors are indeed 1990 vintage, what changed between 1990 and 1991?

I know Jeep swapped vendors a few times over the years, but I don't see why most major vendors don't show cylinder kits for 1990-down.

Oops, my point was that you'll end up filing if you don't have the right size pins in your locks either way. The other point was that

91+ lock kits go for a whole 20 clams...

There are two different kinds of handles and locks on CJ/YJ doors I don't know what the cut off date is for them.

Some have a thumb button latch with a belt loop remover post on the door frame in a bracket and others have paddle handles that latch on the door frame itself.

I have a set of both but don't know what years they come from.

I have changed 'keys' by just swapping one 'pin' around so I had to file one new step in the key. I don't normally have to file the 'pins'.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile... Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view! Jan/06 (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

I agree. I never lock my jeep. I figure they could either A cut the soft top or windows, or B just unzip the rear window and jump on in.

Yeah, that's where I was going with the boneyard thing: Find a set of servicable lock cylinders in a junkyard and don't even muck about with rekeying, which for the novice will probably involve tumblers spraying around the room..

their door lock and key sets fit Wranglers and XJ Cherokees, 1991 through 1994. $15

makes door lock cylinders, the list says the same part fits 91 through 94 Wranglers and XJ Cherokee doors. $24. So the OP can pick from two models over three years in the junkyard, or pony up $30 for new. I guess it depends on how much he values his time.

-- "We began to realize, as we plowed on with the destruction of New Jersey, that the extent of our American lunatic fringe had been underestimated." Orson Wells on the reaction to the _War Of The Worlds_ broadcast.

My locks had a habit of locking themselves at the wrong time. I disconnected the rod from the handle and nylon tied it to the door frame.

I'd still like to smack the bastards that did that in Annapolis one night.

-Scott '97 TJ SE

Thanks to everybody for the ideas. I tried junkyard today... they suggested locksmith! Actually he told me something helpful... I can take one cylinder in and the LS can make a key from the cylinder. Hopefully that one key will fit all my doors and I can duplicate at will. And I agree with everybody about the doors themselves. I will leave them open... if someone is determined, let's face it... it's a zipper. But on a previous Jeep I made a lockbox in the back that was accessed through the tailgate. Closed and locked I had a strongbox. It was a nice place to leave tools, etc that I might need on the road, so I want at least that one lock to work.

Jack

You could do what one of my friends did with a farm truck. Grab a couple of padlocks then weld a couple of gate latches to the doors. :)

Can I assume these were not OEM gate latches Doug?

Merrill

Yep, unless Farmers Supply does OEM. :)

In article , Jon wrote: #Assuming the doors are indeed 1990 vintage, what changed between 1990 #and 1991?

The 1990 MY was the last year that GM lockwork (single row of teeth on the key, different key for the doors and ignition) was used. A new type of key with two rows of identical teeth was introduced in 1991. The double row key fits both doors and ignition.

/herb

Thanks, Herb -- which only compounds my confusion as to why the online retailers don't list a part, particularly one from the General!

Jon

In article , Jon wrote: #On Jun 21, 10:55 pm, snipped-for-privacy@urusei.net (Herb Leong) wrote: #> In article ,Jon # wrote: #>

#> #Assuming the doors are indeed 1990 vintage, what changed between 1990 #> #and 1991? #>

#> The 1990 MY was the last year that GM lockwork (single row of teeth on #> the key, different key for the doors and ignition) was used. A new #> type of key with two rows of identical teeth was introduced in 1991. #> The double row key fits both doors and ignition. #>

#> /herb # #Thanks, Herb -- which only compounds my confusion as to why the online #retailers don't list a part, particularly one from the General! # #Jon #

Go here:

in your jeep's info and then drill down Body hardware Door Lock cylinder

I got the following YJ parts with 1990 and 1991 as the difference:

Description Year MSRP Price Core Price Your Price Lock cylinder, cj, yj series 84-90 $9.45 $7.06

and

Lock cylinder, cj, yj series 1991 $19.95 $14.94

Good luck!

/herb