So long story short, my ford had to stay with a shop for a while as I had no trailer to haul it, and it doesnt run currently after sitting for some years. Well the shop went and lost the keys to it, so I was wondering if getting a locksmith to come out and look at it is even worth it. Not sure if I'd be able to get keys made for the doors and ignition or if I'd have to replace the ignition or what. So if anyone's got any idea on that before I start making decisions please let me know

 

If you have the tag with the key code, the dealer can make a key. You can hire a locksmith to make a field call and can make ignition, door or a gas cap key, done it before on a salvage buy.. It's not a big deal for them. You are looking at labor and travel costs.Only you can decide if its worth it.

 

Where would I look to find the tag? I could probably see about just getting the ignition replaced or rigged or something and worry about the doors later as well

 

It's a tag that is on the key ring of a new vehicle.Since it obvious you don't have it, your best bet is to hire a locksmith to make keys for you onsite.I would not be replacing key cylinders.

 

Ah, so probably spending a bunch of money since I live in the middle of nowhere. I suppose I could take the cylinder out and take it somewhere to rekey instead. Kind of a mess, seems the truck wants to do everything in its power to stay dead

 

Forget about taking the cylinder out of the column.(Don't remember if it is on the column or dash) If it is in the column, the switch has to be in the accessory position to remove the tumbler.

There may be a BETTER way, IF,,,,,,,,,,, the place to insert the key is located below the door release handle, it is very simple to peel the weatherstrip away from the edge of the door and you should see a 2 and 1/2 inch clip behind the weather strip, on the inside edge of the door. If you pull that back or all the way out you can remove the lock tumbler separately and take that to any locksmith and they should be able to make a key that will work the ign and the doors..

Enterprising thieves will insert a screw into the tumbler section and pull it apart with a slide hammer and steal your vehicle.. The tumbler is destruyed and the entire tumbler section is replaced and requires a different key just for the ign, but since you have NO keys, best to try and get one made as suggested and only one key will be required to operate the vehicle. HINT---have the smith make you 2 keys , good move !

 

Its in the column, which in that case I'd either have to destroy it or call someone out if I'm reading that right. I was gonna have 2 made for the doors and ignition each, it's a good idea. This project was just put on hold for far too long in all honesty, and I'm rather pissed the shop lost the keys, but not being charged for having it sit there almost a year was nice

 

I did forget your vehicle may have separate keys for the doors and the ign.

You do have the choice of doing as you mentioned, destroy the tumbler in the steering col and just replace the entire tumbler assy. They are available in most auto supply stores. OR, have a locksmith come and make a key for the tumbler presently in the column. You have to do what works best for you.

If you decide to destroy the tumbler section presently in the column, try to obtain a key and tumbler part before doing the job. They are not that hard to replace.

Once the tumbler is out, you can place the ign sw assy in the accessory position , depress a little button under the the sw section and remove the housing. Installation just requires you to make sure you line up the housing with the slots so it can go all the way in.The tab on the inside end will go into the part that moves the rack
If you purchase the replacement part(comes with 2 keys) , you will be able to see where everything is and see how easy it is to do.

 

An 88 will have separate keys for ignition and doors. You will have to deal with both. If you have a locksmith perform a field call, I would only have one copy of each made then have seconds made at a hardware store. Remember you will be paying the guy by the hour and it makes no sense paying a premium for spare keys made by a locksmith doing a service call when a hardware store can do them for a couple dollars each.

 

Might be the way to go then, probably videos on the internet to help me out on that part. Luckily the auto parts stores are like 15 min away