2003 E150,
The ignition key is just a basic metal key, no plastic handle or anything but It's cut on both sides.
I went to home depot to try and make a copy and the guy said they couldnt do it there, he wasnt sure but thought I might have to go to a dealership. I've been trying to research and theres a lot of talk about needing to program keys, and needing 2 existing keys to program a new one. I have one key but i'm fairly certain theres nothing fancy embedded into the metal so hopefully someone has some insight.

For what its worth I bought this van used and the owner said due to it being broken into/stolen the keys/locks were redone. As a result I have one key for the ignition and front doors, and another for the rear doors.

It looks just like this, but cut on both sides.

 

I like going to a decent locksmith shop for a precision cut--there is no chip or programming in the older keys so it should be cheap and easy.

I know my wife's '98 Sable had a chip in the plastic key handle under a little plastic cover (it was not in the metal part of the key), but my '02 E150 had no chip, and I doubt they changed over the vans as early as 2003. I do like the plastic handle on ignition keys just to give more leverage when starting the van.

George

 

My Home Depot cut keys for my 2010 Edge after I explained that I would handle to chip programming myself. The are reluctant to cut blanks for fear they will damage the key which makes the programming part unusable. The blank for mine was 24R.
jim

 

I worked at Lowes for a short time. Home Depot and Lowes have high employee turnover and the guy probably didn't know how to make a key. They can make your Ford key, but I prefer to go to a local locksmith.

 

This is very true, Rick. I had 2 keys cut on different days. The 2nd trip I showed the young clerk how to find the right cassette for the blank I had and how to run the machine.

The first key I had cut, I had the blank. The guy finished cutting my blank and I asked what I owed. He said nothing as I had brought in my own blank! I tried to give him $10 and he would not take it. Corporate policy NOT to accept a tip?! The second trip was the same so I bought the blank in the photo above but just had her cut the blank I supplied. Cost me about $3 for cutting 2 keys. jim