Locksmith Help.. Anyone Know A Locksmith?

[Bhfear]

I bought a used oem center console for my 94 YJ and I don't have a key for it.. I have called around to my local "locksmiths" and no one wants to mess with making a new key for me. I would love a new key made to fit the lock or heck maybe even make it match my ignition switch (that's asking for a lot but you never know) Anyone out there know anyone I can send my lock cylinder and have a key made mail order like?

 

[ParadiseMJ]

You'd be better off just buying a new cylinder with it's own key. Not likely that you be able to match it to your ignition key (or even your door key)in any sort of cost effective way. Besides, any thief/scumbag that wants in there is just going to bust the thing up anyway. Unless you have a steel box you might as well just have a button latch on it...just sayin'

[Bhfear]

Idk where you could find a new cylinder. And i can care less about the security factor of the console at all. I just want it to function. You can force open the console by hand regardless

[87manche1]

Try quardra tec http://www.quadratec.com/products/55216_211.htm

[87manche1]

http://www.quadratec.com/products/55216_211.htm

[Oyaji]

If you just want a functional lock without worrying about the security it provides, you should consider disassembling the lock and doing your own locksmithing. It is not difficult at all on many locks.

 

I've not taken this particular one apart, but if you locate the pin or screw that holds the tumbler assembly together, it will come apart. Be careful as you very slowly slide out the cylinder - it will contain spring-loaded discs or pins which will be easily lost as spring pressure is released as the components come clear of the lock body (they can shoot across the room if you aren't careful to retain and release them gently with a finger).

 

Lay out the pins or discs in the order they come out. Compare the lengths of the pins/slots in the discs. There will most likely be 5 steps in the lengths; they will correspond to the depth of the cuts in the key you want to use. 

 

Match at least 1 or 2 of the pins/discs (at least - more add security and make the lock harder to pick) to the corresponding cuts in the key, load them into the proper location in the lock cylinder, and carefully reassemble. Congratulations - you have just re-keyed your lock to the key of your choice. :)

[Bhfear]

I'm not sure if the tj lock is the same style as the yj for that quadratec link. And it says it doesnt come with any tumblers. So if i just take mine apart. Wouldnt i have the same thing.. I may try taking it apart. But i have a funny feeling it will be harder to put back together.

[Oyaji]

I'm not sure if the tj lock is the same style as the yj for that quadratec link. And it says it doesnt come with any tumblers. So if i just take mine apart. Wouldnt i have the same thing.. I may try taking it apart. But i have a funny feeling it will be harder to put back together.

 

You should be able to slide the cylinder back in using only light finger pressure to hold down the pins/discs. You'll need the same screw driver or Allen wrench to secure the cylinder to the lock body that you used to take it apart. That's it.

 

If all should go horribly wrong and all your pins/discs and springs go shooting off across the room upon disassembly, never to be found (despite my warning to be careful and work slowly! :)), then you are no worse off than you were before; nothing prevents you from buying a replacement cylinder. Even in that case, you could reassemble the cylinder completely empty and the lock would still function as a latch - you would just lose all security as the lock would open with any key or screwdriver, and maybe even with a fingernail.

[Bhfear]

Well I'm going to try and take it apart and see what happens. Do you need to re install all the tumblers when u put it back together or just a couple if any that match up to say my ign key.

[Oyaji]

As I mentioned before, you can use 1 or 2 or none or all or any number in between, but for security use as many as you can. For simplicity, use none or 1.

 

 I am guessing this is a very simple and cheap lock, but because it is uses the same blank as your ignition key it might have a feature or 2 that make it harder to get apart. I'm betting that is not the case, but if it is, fiddle with it during commercials while you watch TV. Locks are sometimes like puzzles in that they can provide entertainment that can turn into frustration!  :D Be persistent and don't be afraid to fiddle with it - in this case you have nothing to lose.

 

Putting it back together may be easier than taking it apart. If you have trouble, give a shout again here - you may need to "pick" it before you can disassemble it. If so I could coach you on it - if you can pick it, you will have the cylinder turned in 15 minutes, or else give up.

[danbyrambler]

Oyaji is correct - Most of these type locks aren't all that difficult to work on - - A key that fits should help a bunch in disassembly - insert it before pulling the core from the collar - pins won't fall out - Now you can see which pins need to be addressed - - Increasing depth of a notch (whatever they'er called) onna key's not hard - building up with solder does it for the other direction - Do the build up 1st & then a little file work & you've a master to have someone copy - Tedious work for me & my sometimes clumsy fingers but it can be done - I have on a dozen or so Toyota PUs & CryCo Minivans & then gave up when it occurred to me that security wasn't all so important in most cases - If a creep's already in they'll most likely bust the lid if it's locked - - So, a little dremel/file work on the protruding pin/tumblers & that's that - - 

:wrench:

[Oyaji]

Just remember that you can swap locations for the pins or discs to match them to the key cut depths, and that you don't have to use all of them (or any of them, if you just want to use the lock as a latch). It really is pretty easy, and interesting and fun as a puzzle can be, too.    :)

 

Filing and soldering can certainly be done just as Danbyrambler said, but I'd leave that for a more important lock where security is more of an issue than here where you don't need to use all the tumblers... but you can certainly do that to take it up to the next level!

[Bhfear]

I guess my next problem is that it is currently locked and in order to remove the cylinder it needs to be turned..and i only see a tiny pin hole next to the trim ring that must be the retain pin then

[Dirteatr717]

If you do get it apart and want a key made for it, my dads a locksmith and would easily make a key for yah :thumbsup:

[Oyaji]

I guess my next problem is that it is currently locked and in order to remove the cylinder it needs to be turned..and i only see a tiny pin hole next to the trim ring that must be the retain pin then

 

I was afraid that might be the case... sure you cannot just unscrew the backing plate off the assembly and take it apart?

 

If not, you'll have to pick it first. That will be a test of patience, but it is doable. Make yourself a tension tool that leaves a gap between an upper and  lower "prongs" spaced so that they will slip into the keyhole at the outer extremes. The prongs should be maybe an eigth of an inch long before bending 90 degrees and terminating in a 6-inch handle. Best made of spring steel, anything you can use to hold gentle pressure to turn the lock cylinder in the direction of unlocking will do. Next, make a rake pick out of a stiff piece of wire. It can have a single 45 degree bend in the tip, or a 45 followed by a 90 and another 45 degree bend. An improvised grip of some sort will help; overall length should be about 6 inches.

 

To use the tools to open a lock, place the lock body in a padded vise and snug it just enough that it won;t move (being careful not to crush it - they are often made of pot metal), apply tension in the direction of unlocking with one tool while using the rake to bounce the pin/disc tumblers up from their spring-loaded down positions. Since the tumblers will have a little variation from manufacturing, some will clear the lock body ahead of others. Holding tension with one hand while you work the rake in and out will often allow the tumblers to pop into place one by one; once all are lined up the lock will open.

 

Presto! Now you can take it apart and re-key it.

 

If you don't get it open in 15 minutes, give up and go do something else. Come back to it another time, vary your technique, and you may succeed. They say there is a touch to it, and I know I can feel tumblers engaging one or two at a time - try to vary the order that you manipulate the tumblers. Once you feel those that engage in a certain order, repeat that sequence as you try to get the remaining ones to release. I know if you are patient you can do it.

 

If you can't get it in a reasonable amount of time, just buy another lock and avoid the frustration. :)

[Automan2164]

 

[Oyaji]

:yeah that:

 

Good stuff, better than my attempt at typing a description. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth a million!