Keyed alike trucks?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Dravec

Unashamed 400 addict. Best. Trucks. Ever.
Joined
Sep 4, 2020
Messages
1,408
Reaction score
3,415
Location
Ft. Worth, Texas
Any opinions on having multiple 400s keyed to the same key, if I have multiple that need new ignition and lock sets?

Ok idea, bad idea, terrible idea?

Not at all opposed to individually keyed trucks, but I'm also kinda lazy. :rotflmao:
 

99xcss4

frank'n (truburban) K-2500
Joined
Apr 22, 2020
Messages
2,817
Reaction score
4,396
Location
las cruces new mexico
funny story some one I use to know had a 96 k1500 and 97 c1500 the key he had for his 97 worked in the 96 I do not know if the key was worn out or not use to have a 92 c1500 I do not remember very good but his 97 key might have work on that as well one thing to note on this is that key in question was a spare that he had made and the lock cylinder on the 97 needed to be replaced because you could remove the key with the truck running or just the ignition switched on. out of all the gmt400s that were made you can only make so many key patterns imho it is very small chance but maybe some key patterns were used more than once how ever finding a pair or more is a 1 in a million type thing. as far as if it is a good idea to key multiple tucks the same or not I do not know.
 

BNielsen

I'm Awesome
Joined
Sep 6, 2018
Messages
2,632
Reaction score
4,070
Location
North Carolina
Lose one key and have multiple vehicles you can't drive. What could go wrong?
If a methhead can wire in a switch panel from AutoZone and bypass the key, I'm sure a competent individual can contend with a missing key.
I honestly had the same thought with my K3500 and K2500, but the concern of losing keys chased me away from that.

Any opinions on having multiple 400s keyed to the same key, if I have multiple that need new ignition and lock sets?

Ok idea, bad idea, terrible idea?

Not at all opposed to individually keyed trucks, but I'm also kinda lazy. :rotflmao:
I like the idea of multiple keys, then I can get nifty keychains from Keychain Guy for my trucks.
 

any4xx

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2023
Messages
172
Reaction score
314
Location
Vail, AZ
Only one side of the key needs to be coded to your particular lock. If you have two trucks just cut a blank with both sides different. I’ve done this a few times in the past. If you have three trucks, well.. no three-sided keys out there.
 

HotWheelsBurban

Gotta have 4 doors..... Rawhide, TOTY 2023!
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
9,686
Reaction score
17,583
Location
Houston, Texas
I was discussing this recently with my locksmith friend, and he said that the 95-up double sided key locks have to have the tumblers in the lock cylinder line up correctly on both sides. I know sometimes we have to wiggle the key a little bit,to get it to work, on both trucks.....
When we got the Burb ten years ago, the ears were broken off the ignition switch lock cylinder. Dad got a replacement cylinder and had this guy rekey it, plus make some more keys. So everything on it works with one key as it was designed to do. However on Rawhide the crew cab, the ignition lock cylinder was replaced before we got that truck. I suspect the ears got broken off; I understand this is a common thing on these trucks. So we have a key for the ignition and another key for the doors, but both with the same style key! And they will not interchange. One time when we were using both trucks, I put the key for the Burb, in the crew cab door, and it worked.....but the Burb key won't start the other truck.
He also said that the blade part of the key for the 800/NBS truck, is the same as for the 95-up 400; the head is what's different. Wonder if GM made the key head(what you hold onto) bigger, to make it easier for use when wearing gloves....
 

skylark

I'm Awesome
Joined
Nov 15, 2011
Messages
7,839
Reaction score
7,659
Location
Grants Pass, OR
Any opinions on having multiple 400s keyed to the same key, if I have multiple that need new ignition and lock sets?

Ok idea, bad idea, terrible idea?

Not at all opposed to individually keyed trucks, but I'm also kinda lazy. :rotflmao:
Absolutely! I've done it before. I'm a big fan of easy and less keys. Both of my Aunts and my dad have Schlage locks and my sister and I have Kwikset. I bought 24 keyed alike padlocks. Between 3 keys we can access each other's places, sheds, trailers etc. Also every business that I've managed has been keyed to those keys as well. Obviously I don't tell my employees that though.
 

BNielsen

I'm Awesome
Joined
Sep 6, 2018
Messages
2,632
Reaction score
4,070
Location
North Carolina
I should ad to this; it's strange what years have the same style key. Example, there was a cherry 2000 K2500 RCLB that was for sale at a local dealer for ages, so one day while I was out running errands I swung in to check it out and for ***** and giggles I tried my key in the door and it unlocked.
Interesting.
Reached in, stabbed the key in the ignition and turned.....sure enough it clicked to the "key-on" position, before I could crank the truck up my Spidey senses tingled and I pulled my key back out just as a salesman walked up to the passenger side.
Dude was flabbergasted since "they always lock the cars up"
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20220107_170307296.jpg
    PXL_20220107_170307296.jpg
    448.2 KB · Views: 6

618 Syndicate

You won't...
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2020
Messages
6,613
Reaction score
15,483
Location
Southern Illinois
If a methhead can wire in a switch panel from AutoZone and bypass the key, I'm sure a competent individual can contend with a missing key.
I honestly had the same thought with my K3500 and K2500, but the concern of losing keys chased me away from that.


I like the idea of multiple keys, then I can get nifty keychains from Keychain Guy for my trucks.
Well sure, we can figure out how to get around issues as owners, probably better than the metherdists, but I try to avoid creating them myself!!


Agreed 100% about the keychain guy. I have bought sooooooo many from him.
 
Top