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Very nice write-up. I've installed similar lock cylinders and found they all have a flat side to prevent them from rotating in the hole. The difficult part is making a hole with a flat side, but should be fairly easy to file the needed shape in the plastic door. Did you not bother with that since you drilled a 3/4" diameter hole, or did I miss a step?
No way am I drilling a hole in the side of a brand new $80,000.00 truck. Maybe after I've had it a few years. On the other hand the locking gas cap looks good though..
Very nice write-up. I've installed similar lock cylinders and found they all have a flat side to prevent them from rotating in the hole. The difficult part is making a hole with a flat side, but should be fairly easy to file the needed shape in the plastic door. Did you not bother with that since you drilled a 3/4" diameter hole, or did I miss a step?
Since I did the inner mod with the large flat washer and nut super snugged down against the backside of the lock, no flat side needed. It's so tight you will twist off any key inside easily trying to move the whole cylinder. Vandals using lock grips don't have much to bit on either, but as said, if they really want in, they will take that same crow bar that they smashed your window with and pry open the door.
I still believe just the visual of having it is worth it's weight in gold.
Originally Posted by brickman
No way am I drilling a hole in the side of a brand new $80,000.00 truck. Maybe after I've had it a few years. On the other hand the locking gas cap looks good though..
Hehe, I must admit I was pretty nervous on the drill. Luckily, it was so clean of a hole (using a brand new hole saw) that when it was done I had quite the tension relief.
I guess you have to realize you're drilling a $200 dollar door that is replaceable, not an $80K truck.
While I would much prefer a remote cable release, I've been giving some thought adding a lock to the door. I don't se much to gain by going with a lock that uses a common key. Then, BOLT technology (a way to easily use the vehicle's key in various types of accessory locks) came along. I haven't been able to find a cabinet lock using BOLT, but I recently changed the latch on my toolbox to one with a BOLT cylinder, and found that BOLT has replacement cylinders for this latch that looks like it could have a cam added. If anyone's curious, Amazon has a pretty good picture of it. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...KIKX0DER&psc=1
Remote cable release latch is preferred by just about everyone I would imagine. As mentioned several times^, Ford should have this already in place, but they don't.
My big gain was/is visual diversion. Mainly for campgrounds and bored kids wondering about. Latch suggested (k7lvo) above seems like a good one, but I just think the one's that want in, are going to get in no matter what lockset is used, especially on a flimsy plastic door. With that being said, you can get as security-wise as you want with a lockset, but there is another much weaker link involved.
This door would have to be redesigned by OEM to involve security along with a remote triggered cable release. Just my observation of course.
The CH751 Lock? I changed all my locks on my rv out from those as everyone in the world, especially if they have an rv, has that key. Id go with one of the round barrel key type locks.
The keyed type sucked on my toy hauler, changed them to 3 digit combo type; great post, thanks for sharing.
No way am I drilling a hole in the side of a brand new $80,000.00 truck. Maybe after I've had it a few years. On the other hand the locking gas cap looks good though..
Nice write up and many seem to be interested. But I think the same as you. I'm not too keen on drilling a body part and adding another task at fueling time. For me a locking cap would suffice. I can see myself swearing when it's below zero or windy and snowy trying to fumble with a key for the fuel door and another for a locking cap.
Excellent idea! Not sure I have the **lls to start drilling into truck though. 🤔
Locking cap for sure! Maybe there's a way to add a magnetic catch to the fuel door as an alternative just to keep it shut tight (for those having issues at the car wash with their flaps popping open) 😲
Going to do this, Question
Is the 11/2 inch hole on rear inner inside plastic so as to get the locking secure nut for shaft more secure ? Where as in your picture
which you explained. You had just drilled from picture straight thru with 3/4 hole. It looks like you secured it from inside without the 3/4 hole. Is that correct ? This is a great mod you did. Please explain, why 11/2 in hole. most appreciated
Going to do this, Question
Is the 11/2 inch hole on rear inner inside plastic so as to get the locking secure nut for shaft more secure ? Where as in your picture
which you explained. You had just drilled from picture straight thru with 3/4 hole. It looks like you secured it from inside without the 3/4 hole. Is that correct ? This is a great mod you did. Please explain, why 11/2 in hole. most appreciated
Looks like the OP has been missing since Oct., 2019. The 1-1/2" diameter hole is so a 3/4" flat washer can be used and be flush against the inside of the exterior door panel. His photos don't illustrate the 1-1/2" hole nor the large flat washer. The idea of the 1-1/2" hole and the flat washer is to allow a more secure tightening of the nut holding the lockset in place against the outer panel alone. Otherwise, you will be squishing the inner and outer panels together ... would be a sloppy fit.
If you go ahead with this mod, I would reconsider drilling a 3/4" diameter hole. Most of these style locksets easily fit in a 3/4" hole, but they also have one or two flat sides to keep them from rotating within the hole. I would drill a hole whose diameter matches the distance between the flats, then carefully file (or Dremel tool) the opening to match the lockset. And no, I have not performed this mod ... but have installed several similar locksets in other applications.
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