|
|
Post by Volktales on Dec 31, 2015 21:15:16 GMT -8
I have been thinking about doing this for years and the time finally came...
The keys that came with the bus are not original, but are extremely well worn. Not surprisingly with at least 280,000 km on the clock. And the fact that key has been in my pocket every day for the past 15 years...
But how to get new keys cut when the old one cannot be copied??? Not hard with vintage VWs... All the locks as well as the ignition switch have the code number stamped on them. You will have to remove one of these items in order to read the code. On the bay window buses, the easiest is to remove the hatch lock...
Look carefully at the lever on the back of the lock. You will be able to read the code number stamped there. It is the same idea on the door locks, although I found the stamping there to be very faint and hard to read. If you give that code number to a good locksmith, (I used Gallazin in Nanaimo), they will be able to supply a key and cut the code. The cost for two keys these days is around $35 if cut from the code... Keep in mind, this only is useful IF your bus locks and ignition all match! My new keys work great, and I wish I had done this years ago... |
|
|
|
Post by CrazyBrit on Dec 31, 2015 23:17:16 GMT -8
Does knowing the code help with rebuilding the locks to match? My poor old Ghia only has three keyed locks on it and has different keys for each one. The bus has four different keys, not including the "church" key. I would love to get all of the locks keyed alike on both of them.
|
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jan 1, 2016 9:12:38 GMT -8
Pick the key you like, get a new one cut to the code on the lock the key fits, get all the other locks converted to that code. Obviously the locks need to be removed from the car to do this. Any locksmith can change the internal parts in the locks to fit the key. Another pet peeve of mine is mismatched locks/keys. It just means that previous owners were lazy, cheap, or both!
|
|
|
|
Post by tony on Jan 1, 2016 10:04:15 GMT -8
Or the current owner!  |
|
|
|
Post by CrazyBrit on Jan 1, 2016 10:23:45 GMT -8
Pick the key you like, get a new one cut to the code on the lock the key fits, get all the other locks converted to that code. Obviously the locks need to be removed from the car to do this. Any locksmith can change the internal parts in the locks to fit the key. Another pet peeve of mine is mismatched locks/keys. It just means that previous owners were lazy, cheap, or both! Thanks - I think! I could also add "or has no clue how to fix it!" Does each lock have the same number of each type of lock tumbler parts, or do you need multiple used locks to achieve this? I'd like to have a go myself, but don't want to wreck my door locks. I want to keep the Ghia's ignition switch key, so would like to start from here, but don't really want to dismantle it completely. |
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jan 1, 2016 16:03:59 GMT -8
You would likely need extra internal pieces (wafers/tumblers)to exact match your key. I have some extra parts.
|
|
|
|
Post by busaddict on Jan 1, 2016 16:25:55 GMT -8
When I got my '74 bus nearly 10 years ago half the door locks weren't working properly. I took it to Ellice, at that time they charged about $70/door lock. While we're on the subject of locks, is it easy to remove the sliding door lock in a '74 van? My lock mechanism shifts around from time to time making it difficult to unlock it from the outside.
|
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jan 1, 2016 20:45:58 GMT -8
I will have to get back to you on that one, Tom. I need to tweak mine a bit as well...
|
|
|
|
Post by CrazyBrit on Jan 1, 2016 21:09:18 GMT -8
You would likely need extra internal pieces (wafers/tumblers)to exact match your key. I have some extra parts. Thanks Russ. I have one spare lock. I'll have a go at it when I have some time and see what I need. Are the wafers numbered and matched to the number on the barrel, or does the reference number need to be decoded? |
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jan 1, 2016 21:15:11 GMT -8
Wafers are not numbered normally, but occasionally are. You generally select them by eye once you figure out how they work and which one you will need to fit the key profile. It is also possible to grind them to fit if you don't have a precise match. It is one of those jobs that you just have to try it and see.
|
|
|
|
Post by CrazyBrit on Jan 1, 2016 21:23:05 GMT -8
It sounds like a fun, hair graying job! I'm guessing the easiest way of doing this is to take apart the ignition barrel that I want to match and build the door locks the same?
|
|
|
|
Post by tony on Jan 1, 2016 21:34:39 GMT -8
Don , I'd like some albatross ice cream please , do you get wafers with it?!?! |
|
|
|
Post by PICTUP on Jan 1, 2016 21:54:03 GMT -8
Don , I'd like some albatross ice cream please , do you get wafers with it?!?! Hey, how did I get dragged into this?  |
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jan 1, 2016 22:47:34 GMT -8
If there is such a thing as Albatross Ice Cream with Wafers, Don will find it for you...
And for Mark, if you want to match the ignition key, then the best way is to get a fresh key cut to match the numbers on the ignition barrel. However if your ignition key is not worn too badly, you could just match the doorlocks to the ignition key directly. This also can work too.
|
|
|
|
Post by busaddict on Jan 1, 2016 22:51:12 GMT -8
I will have to get back to you on that one, Tom. I need to tweak mine a bit as well... No problem, when mine doesn't work I can still lock it from inside. I'm guessing the replacement lock in my case is probably aftermarket. The rubber grommet that holds the tumbler in place could be a better fit. Hoping for an early spring  |
|
