Hot Rods How to unlock steering column in a 37 truck

I have a 1937 Ford 1 1/2 ton truck. The steering is locked and I do not have a key. Can I drill out the key to unlock the steering column and then replace the key tumbler? I thought i read somewhere of someone drilling out the key tumbler and then being able to disassemble the lock assembly. Any one know if this will work? Thanks.

 

i don't know about the drilling and replacing before i talked to a locksmith.

 

Call a locksmith, I had a key made for one and it was really cheap. Much cheaper than the damage a drill causes.

 

I do not know how many different key combos there were back then, but I doubt its a lot. Go to a locksmith. Keep the original part and get a match made. Otherwise, you are going to complain about repop quality and ask where to find another original after destroying the one you have.

 

I recall reading on the Fordbarn to drill out a pressed in pin, it hold the cylinder in place.

 

If this is similar to most mid-30s passenger cars, you don't drill out the tumbler. You drill out the PIN that holds in the tumbler. Once you get the pin out, you can remove the tumbler then use a screwdriver to push the lock-pin back. The tumbler should have a key-code on it.

For more detail check out the post by Bruce Lancaster on this thread: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/40-ford-column-drop-lock-how-do-you-remove.536900/

I did this recently. Here's the pin (note that column is upside down):


Drilled enough to remove remains of pin without damaging tumbler:


Removed tumbler:


When I put it back together, I simply tapped the hole and replaced the original pin with an Allen-head plug.

 

How about taking the door lock to a locksmith and getting a key made.

 

Good point, probably the same key.

 

Thanks for the info! this is what i was looking for. I didn't want to destroy the tumbler, but remembered someone posting about drilling something. Ill try getting the pin out and report back.
Thanks again!

 

Be sure to read what Bruce Lancaster said in the link in my original post. When drilling, stop if you see brass coming up. I made it a point to keep checking so I didn't get that far.

Also, Bruce suggested drilling a smaller hole in the pin, then trying to wiggle it out. This is probably the more "sanitary" way, but you'd need an easy out or some other way of getting purchase on the pin. My pin was plenty rusty, however, so I found it simpler to just drill the whole pin and replace with a plug. And I don't think it looks bad with an Allen plug in place of the pin:



When you remove the tumbler, you will find a key code marked on the side of it. Mine was "FK" followed by three digits. I'm assuming FK stands for "Ford Key" and the three digits are what matters.

My research leads me to believe if you can find an old-time locksmith who has the old Ford documentation, they could use the code to make you a new key. I haven't really started my search for somebody like that.

Maybe some Hamber out there can suggest a source for keys?

 

^^^^ there were a few guys years back on the Fordbarn that could cut a key with the code.

 

32phil on the Barn can do it