tool stowage box will not open

[mkmiller1]

Just bought a truck with a tool stowage box in the bed, what's the easiest way to open with the latch stuck? Also, the key doesn't fit so how do I tell if it's locked or not?
Thanks in advance,
Matthew

[mkmiller1]

I already put a lot of wd-40 on it.

[Already Gone]

Maybe LockDoc has a solution for you but if you went to a Professional Locksmith they could probably pop that open in a minute or two. I bought a Tahoe a few years ago and it had a locking gas cap on it so I went to the local locksmith and he walked to the truck parked in front of his shop and had it unlocked in about a minute.

[custom10nut]

Wedge a thin piece of metal in the latch to push the lock open, or you may have to Use a hook to get the latch to release, but the latch is a simple design.

[mkmiller1]

Thanks for the tip, I'll try that.

[In The Ten Ring]

Don't end up breaking your lock!

I have found ZEP 45 to be a good break free on frozen locks. If the metal piece idea doesn't work, call that locksmith.

[mkmiller1]

Just a question on the lock key position, is it always in the up/down position whether locked or not or is it in the sideways position when unlocked? Hope this makes sense, just not sure if it's locked or not.

[custom10nut]

Ok, when is aid wedge, I didn't men with a lot of muscle. Essentially you're picking the lock. After I said that, I remembered that I have used mechanics picks to reach in behind ad finesse it to open. Patience is the key here. The feeling you get when you get it open will make it worthwhile.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by mkmiller1

Just a question on the lock key position, is it always in the up/down position whether locked or not or is it in the sideways position when unlocked? Hope this makes sense, just not sure if it's locked or not.

The key would be up/down/vertical when locked and sideways/horizontal when unlocked.

The lock is completely seperate from the handle and prevents the lock bolt from retracting. This is a positive locking mechanism which means if you can't get the lock cylinder to turn so the key is in a horizontal position you are probably not going to get it open without damaging something, because the lock bolt will not retract...

LockDoc

[mike16]

find some very smart 4 year old to crawl into the box from the other side and explain to him or her what you need done. They can pull the c clip out from the lock mechanism and the lock will pull right out. I've done that very successfully and all it cost me was a happy meal.

if in doubt. send them in there with a camera to take some pictures first kinda like recon the AO.

if the kid isnt so smart.... tie a rope around one foot so you can pull them back out if they get lost or something

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by mike16

find some very smart 4 year old to crawl into the box from the other side and explain to him or her what you need done. They can pull the c clip out from the lock mechanism and the lock will pull right out. I've done that very successfully and all it cost me was a happy meal.

if in doubt. send them in there with a camera to take some pictures first kinda like recon the AO.

if the kid isnt so smart.... tie a rope around one foot so you can pull them back out if they get lost or something

I had to LOL at that one. Problem is that the side stowage box is one piece fiberglass so you would have to cut one big hole in the bottom (it is against the frame on the back side)

A person might be able to drill a couple of small holes in the side of the box and use an inspection camera in one to see what he was doing and a small steel rod through the other to drive the retaining clip off of the cylinder. Here is a few pictures of what the back of the cylinder and the clip looks like. The rod would have to go in on an angle to be able to get inside the recessed area.

The lock is in the unlocked position in all of these pictures.

LockDoc

[kehstr]

sounds like the box is locked, that makes things 100 times harder

[mike16]

plan b would be to bring it to a lock smith. might cost more than a happy meal though. show these pictures of the lock to the lock smith and see if he can locate replacement locks, if and when that is done then carefully drill out the old lock and then install new ones al around.

[mkmiller1]

thanks fellas that was just the info I was looking for looks like I'll need a locksmith

[bad68nomad]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

The key would be up/down/vertical when locked and sideways/horizontal when unlocked.

The lock is completely seperate from the handle and prevents the lock bolt from retracting. This is a positive locking mechanism which means if you can't get the lock cylinder to turn so the key is in a horizontal position you are probably not going to get it open without damaging something, because the lock bolt will not retract...

LockDoc

Keyhole on my Longhorn is vertical (up and down) when unlocked.