I picked up a 1971 F250 a few months ago. It has the factory passenger side small tool box with a key lock. My ignition key locks & unlocks the driver & passenger doors but will not open the tool box. I only got the one key with the truck.

Does the tool box door use a special key to unlock it? Any aftermarket suppliers sell the key? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Mine does have a separate key for the toolbox. I dont know about any aftermarket keys for them.

 

Any locksmith can make a key for it for a minimal fee.

 

There are no more keys and locks available. Visit your local locksmith to unlock it and make a new key; or drill the lock yourself and go to your local hardware store for a postal lock cylinder.

 

Those locks and latches are readily available. They are generic and used on many commercial body applications.

 

I used a file cab lock cylinder on mine. it was like $4 from lowes. fit perfect.

 

Well a little bit of good news, the box latch was not locked. I do not think it has been opened in years as it was almost rusted shut. I lubed it up and got it working again. As it is the painted factory paddle handle I would like to keep it as is. I can unbolt & remove the unit and take it to a locksmith to have a couple of keys made.

Any where else in the country locksmith might charge $15.00 but not in good old Southern, CA $35 - 40 was what they want. I'll keep checking around. Thanks for the replies.

 

Google "how to drill out a lock" and buy a cheap lock from Lowes or Home Depot. It'll save you $.

 

My later model ('79) uses a separate key. Four total for my truck.
One for ignition and doors. One for glovebox. One for camper shell and one for the tool box.
If it was supposed to be the same key originally, the previous owner must have changed it.

Hmm, scratch part of that. I just looked at my key ring and don't see the round headed key I thought worked on my glovebox. I must be thinking of other trucks I've had. Unless it's missing.
Haven't used the glovebox key in so long I'm forgetting too much! Gonna' have to finish it up and get back to driving it I guess.

Paul

 

As I can not get to the truck this week I hope the lock unit is held in place with a threaded nut that can be screwed off and the main unit will pull out. Is this correct? If it is that would be great so I can keep the original painted paddle handle latch unit and replace the keyed lock unit. Anyone have a number for the lock replacement?

Very lucky to find the door latch unlocked.

 

Take the cylinder off, and visit your local locksmith to get a key made, or it might be cheaper to get a new cylinder. Or get one from your local hardware store.

 

Well I was able to work on my side box lock setup today. I removed the paddle opening lever and was able to get to the key cylinder and remove it. Went to my local hardware store and purchased a new complete keyed cylinder unit. I was able to leave the original main body cylinder and install the new keyed center section. Had to make a few modification to get ever thing working right. Total cost $9.45 + two hours time & I have lots of that. Way better than $35-45 for locksmith to make new keys.

Thanks to all that replied for all the help.

 

Good to hear you got it fixed, and at a good price!