Topic: Replace door lock where key enters
in Forum: C3 Body
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As some of you already know, I locked my keys in the Vette.
As some of you also know, I need to replace my passenger-side door lock.
So I have four questions:
1. Where do you buy new locks?
2. Can they be keyed to the old key?
3. Is this a job for me or do I take it to my mechanic?
4. Where should I keep the new spare key? I now have 2 spares.


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Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Any of the parts vendors will have replacement locks. Some of them will be able to have them coded for your original keys, but you'd have to ask. If you cannot find someone to do it(local locksmith, etc.), I know an NCRS member that can supply the locks AND code them to your original key.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Put the spare key in your shoes..or tape them to those big glasses you have..or maybe hide it in your beard..nah just messin with ya!!..if you want to hide a key on the car somewhere get the little magnetic box to put it in and stick it back by spare tire..on top of the frame if you can..then it won't fall off down the road..I don't lock mine..but that's just me though.

My first parade at Carlisle 2010
I never (well hardly ever) used to lock my doors because I wasn't sure I would be able to unlock them, especially the driver's side. Then I got it fixed and felt more comfortable.
All my other cars I lock just from habit.
Maybe I should go for the new fob remote locks and alarm like DaveM.



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Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
yostusota said:..I don't lock mine..but that's just me though.


The magnetic key box is a good idea...prolly one of the best inventions since gasoline. Of course, once you put it on the car, you'll forget where the heck it was you put it.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Lemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
Lock mine just because I done have a garage (carport only) and the ignition switch lock does not work so you really only need the key to get in once in just start the car. One of those small project along with the horn I did to get fixed.
I keep a spare door key in my wallet One for every car I own. My wife does the same in her purse. That way one of us can alway bail the other one out. When my wife was working I used to have to do that a couple of times a year. Of course I have been know to drive without a wallet once or twice.
The mag key box is a good thing also used that until I had to retrieve the key for my car in the rain and a big puddle of water. Puddles of water do not happen a lot in California but it did that time.

Temple City, CA - USA
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 365
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow. 350 / Automatic.
Adams' Apple said: I know an NCRS member that can supply the locks AND code them to your original key.
Who?
I now have a door key, ignition key (I got a t & t column), three different keys for the glove boxes, a spare tire key, and a gas cap key. Plus an old key for a Grant steering wheel.
When I get out my keys, all the kids come running to buy ice cream!
Of course, I'll have to figure out how to remove all the locks. Only a 35% chance I'll be able to get them back on.
Jim

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
If your door key fits both doors, then all you need to remove would be the glove box lock, and the spare tire lock, and have those keyed to the door key. I don't think the gas cap can be keyed to either of the other keys...it's a different type of lock. But...that would at least get ya down to only 3 keys for the car. And you won't have the neighborhood kiddies runnin to your house!
I'll go dig out the name/#, and PM that to ya. I'm afixin to go visit my Dad, but I'll get that info to ya later.
Now that I thunk aboot it, when I first bought the '74, I replaced the door locks on it, so none of the previous owners would have keys(paranoid, right?). The local locksmith was able to re-code the spare tire lock, the alarm switch, and the storage compartment lock to the same key, while I waited. That might be another avenue to check out.
|UPDATED|5/27/2012 11:57:16 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I'll go dig out the name/#, and PM that to ya. I'm afixin to go visit my Dad, but I'll get that info to ya later.
Now that I thunk aboot it, when I first bought the '74, I replaced the door locks on it, so none of the previous owners would have keys(paranoid, right?). The local locksmith was able to re-code the spare tire lock, the alarm switch, and the storage compartment lock to the same key, while I waited. That might be another avenue to check out.
|UPDATED|5/27/2012 11:57:16 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Body
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)