hey guys. just picked up a 72 (i think... it was built in feb of 72) ranchero. this car is amazing. it only has 29,000 original miles! the flexplate broke at 29k and the owner just parked it in his barn! so it has sat for 30 years but was indoors the whole time. could use a fresh coat of paint but the interior is like new! it also has a matching gemtop camper shell. which i was told is rare because it is one of the few that actually sits flush with the roof (i dont want it so if anyone does let me know). so as of now my main concern is the keys... the owner lost the keys... i tried the all the local ford dealerships but they claim that they cant get any keys older than 2001.. which i think is pathetic... so if anyone has any info on how to get keys made for a old car please let me know. thanks alot

 

You might try getting replacement locks for your doors and ignition. I believe Dearborn Classics carries them.

 

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Thats the best option, Dearborn classics, Mac's auto parts and Dennis Carpenter are the best sources out there. Do a web search on them and get a free catalogue. Lots of great stuff from them and i know that they carry those ignition switches, keys and door lock cylinders. I just ordered some replacment key blanks for my '66 from dennis carpenter, and they are perfect replacments.

 

D2AZ6522050A .. Ignition & Door Lock Set w/Keys / Obsolete

Fits: 1970/73 ALL Ford Passenger Cars (Galaxie/LTD, Torino/Ranchero, Mustang, Pinto, T-Bird, Maverick).

PARTS INTERNATIONAL in Farmers Branch TX has NINE = 888-727-0418.

KINSEL L/M in Beaumont TX has EIGHT = 800-816-2894.
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A simple solution instead of buying a new lock set is, remove one of the door lock cylinders, take it to a key shop...a new key can be cut in minutes.

Why a Ford Dealer cannot help: If the keys are lost, the ONLY way to cut new keys is with the key code.

If the Owners Manual is still there, look on the inside pages for an FA number...this is the key code, key shops can cut new keys from that.

Dearborn Classics part number: DLS106 .. Door/Ignition Lock Set w/keys: $39.95 = 800-252-7427.

The complete lock sets were...at one time, also sold by NAPA.

Since the odometers of these vehicles only read to 99,999.9 then return to ZERO, does it really have only 29,000 miles?

It could have 129,000 miles, 229,000 miles, or?

The story of the flexplate breaking at 29,000 miles sounds fishy to me. The only way a flexplate can break is if somone installs the wrong harmonic balancer.

The resulting vibration causes the center to be torn from the flexplate. And..a new flexplate 30 years ago was about 25 bucks.

Look on the door jamb for old lube stickers...which will show the mileage when the oil/filter was last changed. Look at the pedal pads for signs of wear.

 

thank u guys very much for the info. i have solid knowlage on the new superdutys but these oldies are out of my league haha. update.. after spending some time with the car this weekend.. i realized that it is not a 72.. its a 69 and it doesnt have 29k miles it has 59k. but it is truely 59k. no roll overs haha. the service records indicate that. and the interior looks like new. seats.. dash.. pedals ect.. all mint. and i do have the owners manual so i will look for the key code. and see if i can get a key cut. thanks agian! and as soon as i get the money i will be taking it to a local shop so they can give it a proper diagnosis. then once its fixed. change all the fluids, plugs, wires, belts and hoses. and see if she will run!!

 

What year is it? The first digit of the VIN denotes the year: 9 = 1969. VIN's were 11 digits back then, 17 digits VIN's weren't available till 1980 (trucks: 1981).

If you post the VIN, I can decode it, and can also decode all the codes found on the Warranty Plate.

These codes will tell what year it is, what engine, what model Ranchero, what the interior material and color is, axle ratio, trans type, what city the Ranchero was ordered from, and etc.

While dealers were supposd to write in the key codes in the Owners Manual, not all of them did.

The original keys came with a separate ring that had the key code stamped on it, but this dime sized ring is prolly long gone.

 

Sweet- I just picked up an s-code 390 '69 Ranchero GT that's in pretty good shape, but not as nice as yours, was driven until about 6 mo. ago. Fresh engine & trans, buckets & console, Magnum 500's, new Hookers & Flowmasters, and air conditioning - might be a keeper because of the last one
I've been told that the key code was stamped on the ignition switch and the passenger door lock, but not the driver's lock (?). Even if the story ends up to be hoooey (which I'm sure will be quickly pointed out if so ), pulling the pass door lock is pretty easy, can't hurt. I'm kinda curious if it's true myself. Even if not, they can make you keys from the door lock, take it to a locksmith who's been around a while.
Take it slow, easy, and oily trying to start it, being inside all that time you've got a good chance she'll be a runner- I recently got a '66 Country Squire with the original 428, been sitting inside and not started since '89, had it running in about an hour, runs sweet, and everything works

 

thanks alot for all the info guys! really appreciate it! i cleaned her up and put some new tires on her and she goes to the shop tomorrow! looks like before putting her in the barn for her 33 year sit, the previous owner drained all the fluids. brakes, coolant, gas, everything! so it looks like i can start fresh! i will be pulling the door cylinder to have a locksmith cut a new key.. any tips??