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I haven’t done a lot of homework yet, but curious if anyone has changed out their door locks, specifically on a 73 convertible. I just bought one a couple months ago that did not come with door keys (cylinders were changed during restoration 10 years ago so ignition key doesn't work in doors). I have a track record of breaking things when I remove door panels on other vehicles and don't want to do that on a 50 year old car.
I haven’t done a lot of homework yet, but curious if anyone has changed out their door locks, specifically on a 73 convertible. I just bought one a couple months ago that did not come with door keys (cylinders were changed during restoration 10 years ago so ignition key doesn't work in doors). I have a track record of breaking things when I remove door panels on other vehicles and don't want to do that on a 50 year old car.
First of all the ignition key and the door key are two different keys from the factory. Lock cylinders are easy to replace and there is plenty of information and step by step procedures on the Internet to help you.
First of all the ignition key and the door key are two different keys from the factory. Lock cylinders are easy to replace and there is plenty of information and step by step procedures on the Internet to help you.
Thanks for the feedback. Thought I had read on this forum that up thru 73, the square ignition key also fit the door while the round key was for glove box, spare tire, etc. Regardless I'll do a little video research. In the past I have broken retaining clips or ripped them off back side of the panels
First make sure you have a few SMALL lights that will fit inside the door. The locks are made to fit the drivers and passenger side SPECIFICALLY, it’s easy to install the wrong lock. Personally, I would remove one of the locks ( after taking ten photos) then take it to a REAL Locksmith, they can make a new key in two minutes. I removed the alarm key switch on my 73, and had a locksmith make a key for it, not a hard job.
Quote: “I have a track record of breaking things when I remove door panels on other vehicles and don't want to do that on a 50 year old car.”
Be careful, when removing the lock cylinder. In prepping to paint my 1980, I managed to break the driver’s side window, when removing the lock cylinder. It was held in place by a clip that I pried loose with a large screwdriver. When it broke loose, the screwdriver hit the edge of the window and broke it. If I had to do it again, I would put a towel or some type of padding against the edge of the window to protect it.
Last edited by mark79,80; Sep 12, 2025 at 11:44 AM.
Here is a 74 which I assume would be similar. Looks like ZIP has the 73 cylinders for @$40.
Here is one video (You can see him prying with a large screwdriver)
Majorbob
I accidentally found a fairly easy way to get at that lock retaining clip. If you look at 5:30 in the video you will notice a black panel by his knee. If you remove that panel you can get your arm up in there and grab the clip with some needle nose. Makes installation of the clip easy, too!
Understood. I believe they original author was referring to the center storage container behind the seats.
Maybe, but that's not a glove box, so don't call it a glove box if it's not a glove box.A glove box is a closed storage in front of the passenger seat. Not that many store gloves in a glovebox nowadays, but we still call it a glovebox. Go figure.
Maybe, but that's not a glove box, so don't call it a glove box if it's not a glove box.A glove box is a closed storage in front of the passenger seat. Not that many store gloves in a glovebox nowadays, but we still call it a glovebox. Go figure.
Maybe, but that's not a glove box, so don't call it a glove box if it's not a glove box.A glove box is a closed storage in front of the passenger seat. Not that many store gloves in a glovebox nowadays, but we still call it a glovebox. Go figure.
Majorbob
I accidentally found a fairly easy way to get at that lock retaining clip. If you look at 5:30 in the video you will notice a black panel by his knee. If you remove that panel you can get your arm up in there and grab the clip with some needle nose. Makes installation of the clip easy, too!
Quote: “I have a track record of breaking things when I remove door panels on other vehicles and don't want to do that on a 50 year old car.”
Be careful, when removing the lock cylinder. In prepping to paint my 1980, I managed to break the driver’s side window, when removing the lock cylinder. It was held in place by a clip that I pried loose with a large screwdriver. When it broke loose, the screwdriver hit the edge of the window and broke it. If I had to do it again, I would put a towel or some type of padding against the edge of the window to protect it.
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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If your door locks work OK then just get used to using them.
Vendors sell door and ignition locks that use the same key.
The part with the arrow is left or right only so get the sides correct.
If your door locks work OK then just get used to using them.
Vendors sell door and ignition locks that use the same key.
The part with the arrow is left or right only so get the sides correct.
Uunfortunately I can't say if the locks work okay or not, I just don't have a key. Going to try to pull a number of the cylinder without fully re.oving it and have locks.ith cut key to that number/pattern. Don't mind having different keys for ignition and lock, just trying g to mini.ize work and potential of damage.
Uunfortunately I can't say if the locks work okay or not, I just don't have a key. Going to try to pull a number of the cylinder without fully re.oving it and have locksmith cut key to that number/pattern.
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There is no key code on the door lock cylinder. There IS a key code on the ignition cylinder (but in your case, you don’t really need that)…
Don't mind having different keys for ignition and lock, just trying to minimize work and potential of damage.
Having different keys for the doors and ignition will get to be really annoying after a while. As a previous poster mentioned, just take your door lock cylinders and your ignition key to a REAL locksmith and let them match the key to the locks. Depending upon how busy they are, they can usually have it done the same day.
Changing door lock cylinders
