More Car Key Stuff

Brian G. NY · Oct 7, 2023

Back in the day Ford had the 2-way keys that could be inserted either side up.
I had a key cut with one side to fit my '73 Gran Torino Sport and the other side to fit my '75 F-100.
I was always gonna paint one side of the key green for the Torino and the other blue for the F-100 but never did.
Kinda neat to have a key to fit two vehicles without having to rekey one of the ignitions.

Geo-TH,In · Oct 8, 2023

Neat Idea.
My 2007 GMC pickup uses a two sided key.
I had a duplicate key made at a key machine at
menards. Only one side of the key would work.
I used a file and put a notch on the side that
works.

Hobo,NC · Oct 8, 2023

This is my understanding so don't hold me to it if I get the number wrong. 3 cuts are for the door and 3 are for the ignition switch. That's why its common for keys to work one of the locks on a different vehicle.

OEM lock sets are no longer offered from the dealer you can find OEM lock cylinders on Ebay with the complete lock set, ignition switch and door locks. Aftermarket ignition cylinders are pure junk a waist of money that's why I search for a OEM part and change the ignition and door locks as a set.

I have not been able to get a ford dealer to key a lock cylinder for me for a long time. I have several old ford locks on my desk to try I have not took the time to play locksmith. On GM and Chrysler I have took all the pins out of the door lock but one then cut the key to work that one pin that's matches the first cut on the ignition lock.

One key that works all the locks is nice : )

Stephen Newell · Oct 8, 2023

There are places around that will sell you locks to fit most things you have which are keyed alike. That way your car key, house key and the padlock on your front gate are the same.

Leroy · Oct 8, 2023

Never had 2 vehicals at same time to try that, I thought both sides had to be same to
work. It has been way to long to rember for sure but I am thinking I had a key cut and
one side was different and it would not work in the ignition. Had to be turned correct
way to work.

sotxbill · Oct 8, 2023

no.. I did that in the 80s... only one side has pins and tumblers... I cut a vee notch in the head so that the truck had the vee up and the car had the vee down...

38 Sears Roebuck · Oct 8, 2023

Well while we're talking about keys. About 2 weeks ago I went to work and instead of putting my pick up key into the
ignition switch I accidentally put my Kenworth key into the ignition switch. Well let me tell you that I could not remove
the key from the switch and I'm now parked in front of my work truck bay. I panicked beyond belief. I went over to the
passenger side of the pick up and yanked on it and it finally came out. For the next few days I could tell that something
was wrong with my ignition switch on my pick up truck. Went to start it one morning and it was locked up. Nothing I could do
to turn the switch. I called three different Ford dealerships and they were of no help. My wife looked online for a solution
while I was at work. I decide to take matters into my own hands and sprayed WD-40 into the switch and whacked it with a
hammer. Well that worked! Works better than new now.

Brian G. NY · Oct 9, 2023

In my experience most ignition keys are "grooved" differentlly than the trunk/glovebox key so they will not interchange.
I've had many Fords since 1959 when I first started driving and most of the door and ignition locks were keyed the same. There was a period (short) when they made the door key different than the ignition key. That didn't last very long; probably because it was a PITA.
Who'd a thunk the day would come when we wouldn't even have keys; just a fob.

Hobo,NC · Oct 9, 2023

Best I can remember By 1990 all I can remember used one key, Toyotas started using one key in the 70's. My 77 ford f350 uses one key.

More Car Key Stuff

Brian G. NY

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Geo-TH,In

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Hobo,NC

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Stephen Newell

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Leroy

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sotxbill

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38 Sears Roebuck

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Brian G. NY

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Hobo,NC

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