1972 Key question

[ApacheIvan]

Quick question, If I recall correctly, the 72 C/20 had two keys, the square body was for ignition and the doors had a separate key that had the rounded edge. Is this correct? I see sets that key the doors with the square key matching the ignition. This is wrong, right? My door locks are not working the way they should, takes a lot of wiggling to get it to work, I was thinking of replacing them, but want to keep it the way it is supposed to be.

[46stude]

My '72 1/2 ton Cheyenne has one square key that fits both the ignition and the door locks.

[dgheinen]

My 68 C10 and my 78 Corvette both have Square keys for ignition, and round for the doors.

[ApacheIvan]

Originally Posted by 46stude

My '72 1/2 ton Cheyenne has one square key that fits both the ignition and the door locks.

Are you confident that these have never been replaced and keyed alike?

[46stude]

From what I've read, there was only one key from the factory. If you've got two different keys, something's been changed.

My key is so worn that I can't get a good copy made that will work the doors w/o a lot of wiggling and jiggling.

[FirstOwner69]

One key for my 69. Always been that way.

[ApacheIvan]

I think we have a consensus, one key... I guess if I am going to replace the door locks then I should get the ignition to match... makes it easier anyways.. thanks folks.

[Stocker]

Late to the party again.... My '72 K20 uses the same key for doors and ignition. I have made a couple copies over the years, but the original has an octagon head.

[LockDoc]

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'67-'72 trucks came from the factory with one key that operated the doors and ignition. The change to two keys was in '73 on the trucks.....

If your locks are not working correctly insert the small tube of the penetrating oil can into the lock cylinder key hole and give it a good squirt, then try it. Also, roll down the windows and using a good flashlight look down inside of the door at the back of the glass, you can see the door lock and latch mechanisms. Give them a good squirt of penetrating oil too.

LockDoc

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Late to the party again.... My '72 K20 uses the same key for doors and ignition. I have made a couple copies over the years, but the original has an octagon head.

The only trucks that came from the factory with the Octagon head keys were the 1967's and a few early production '68's, all of the other years used the rectangular head keys. The only reason the Octagon key fits your locks is that the '72 uses the same keyway as the '68 trucks. Your truck would have come from the factory with the rectangular head keys.

LockDoc

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

The only trucks that came from the factory with the Octagon head keys were the 1967's and a few early production '68's, all of the other years used the rectangular head keys. The only reason the Octagon key fits your locks is that the '72 uses the same keyway as the '68 trucks. Your truck would have come from the factory with the rectangular head keys.

LockDoc

Thanks for the info, Leon. I always say if you don't learn something every day, you're not paying attention.

I've owned the truck for 40 years and cannot remember every detail . I haven't seen octagon keys in the hardware store for years, and assumed mine was original. I do have a square key as a spare, maybe that's one that came with the truck.

[ApacheIvan]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
'67-'72 trucks came from the factory with one key that operated the doors and ignition. The change to two keys was in '73 on the trucks.....

If your locks are not working correctly insert the small tube of the penetrating oil can into the lock cylinder key hole and give it a good squirt, then try it. Also, roll down the windows and using a good flashlight look down inside of the door at the back of the glass, you can see the door lock and latch mechanisms. Give them a good squirt of penetrating oil too.

LockDoc

Thank you so much LockDoc! Exactly the answer I was looking for. Glad you cleared up the octagon question too..

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Thanks for the info, Leon. I always say if you don't learn something every day, you're not paying attention.

I've owned the truck for 40 years and cannot remember every detail . I haven't seen octagon keys in the hardware store for years, and assumed mine was original. I do have a square key as a spare, maybe that's one that came with the truck.

If the square key is a GM logo key it's probably the original. The "C" keyway Octagon blanks are really hard to find nowdays. You see them on E-bay once in a while.....

LockDoc

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by ApacheIvan

Thank you so much LockDoc! Exactly the answer I was looking for. Glad you cleared up the octagon question too..

No problem. Any other lock questions post them up....

LockDoc

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

If the square key is a GM logo key it's probably the original.

Been a long time, so I took a look. Logo is not 'GM'.... it's 'ACE'

[FirstOwner69]

This is off topic, but here is a picture of a small envelope the selling dealer gave me that contained the spare key and one of the knockouts with the key number. The dealer stock number for the truck is written on the back of the envelope.

EDIT: I just Googled the part number on the envelope and found an original on eBay for $112!!! I better frame it.

[BILT4ME]

I recently went to ACE Hardware to get keys made for our 70 GMC K2500. They keys they used LOOKED like the right thing.

They were NOT.

They keys for our trucks are a "J" code key. I had to do internet searching and then bought some blanks from eBay so I could have some cut locally.

[ApacheIvan]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

EDIT: I just Googled the part number on the envelope and found an original on eBay for $112!!! I better frame it.

I would! At least make sure you keep it safe! Looks to be a rare item.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by BILT4ME

The keys for our trucks are a "J" code key. I had to do internet searching and then bought some blanks from eBay so I could have some cut locally.

For clarification...
The code (keyway) is not the same for all years. For example, my 69 uses "E" code keys. All bets are off if your locks/ignition have been replaced. I wonder if Leon has a list of keyways by year he can share?

I bought some "E" keys, also on eBay.

[Husker]

LocDoc does Great work. Send him your Locks and A key and he will have them back to you Quick.
One of these days I am going to get my Jeep CJ keyed same as my trucks. I put an early Chevelle tilt in it.
Ron

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

For clarification...
The code (keyway) is not the same for all years. For example, my 69 uses "E" code keys. All bets are off if your locks/ignition have been replaced. I wonder if Leon has a list of keyways by year he can share?

I bought some "E" keys, also on eBay.

I posted this back in 2007....

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=246485

LockDoc

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I posted this back in 2007....

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=246485

LockDoc

Thanks for posting the link.

[mrein3]

My mutt truck came with a working ignition key that didn't work in the doors. Lucky me I roll in an area where you don't have to lock stuff. 25 years ago. About 20 years ago I junked a 1971 Monte Carlo for severe Minnesota rust issues. I saved the door locks. Now I have a stock Monte key - funny shape, hard to describe - for the door locks and the ignition key the guy I bought it from handed to me that has a Cadillac emblem on it.

I know, nothing but drivel. However I haven't posted in a while and actually have been working on my truck some lately.