Author Topic: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?  (Read 1818 times)

SFM6S087

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How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« on: March 02, 2021, 10:11:55 AM »
A neighbor just bought a 1976 Mustang-II from the original owner. Built in Mexico and only brought to the U.S. recently. 302-V8, a/c, auto with console, factory aluminum wheels and less than 50K miles. Very nice condition. The only problem is that the owner couldn't find the key to the hatchback.

Does anyone know how to get the hatchback open without the key? Or is there a way to get a key (or maybe a locksmith key code) from Ford?

Thanks,
Steve

69mach351w

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Re: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2021, 10:24:06 AM »
A good locksmith can make a key. I had a 92 escort one time for my teenage daughter and she lost the key.  It was amazing how the locksmith used the tumblers on the door lock, a blank Ford key and a pair of vise grips to make the key!!

67 GT350

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Re: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2021, 11:53:52 AM »
Can one crawl into the back and remove the panel and unbolt the lock form the inside?
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SFM6S087

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Re: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2021, 11:58:57 AM »
A good locksmith can make a key. I had a 92 escort one time for my teenage daughter and she lost the key.  It was amazing how the locksmith used the tumblers on the door lock, a blank Ford key and a pair of vise grips to make the key!!

I relayed your info to my friend and he now has a locksmith scheduled to come out tomorrow.

THANKS,
Steve

98SVT - was 06GT

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Re: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2021, 12:09:14 PM »
A good locksmith can make a key. I had a 92 escort one time for my teenage daughter and she lost the key.  It was amazing how the locksmith used the tumblers on the door lock, a blank Ford key and a pair of vise grips to make the key!!

I relayed your info to my friend and he now has a locksmith scheduled to come out tomorrow.

THANKS,
Steve
A Locksmith will cost far more than drilling the lock out any buying an easily obtained replacement.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/74-93-Mustang-Ford-Trunk-Lock-Cylinder-Keys-Black-Cap-New/351660386746?fits=Year%3A1976%7CModel%3AMustang+II&hash=item51e097a9ba:g:pUEAAOSwuAVWy6HQ
Previous owner 6S843 - GT350H & 68 GT500 Convert #135.
Mine: GT1 Mustang Track Toy, 1998 SVT Cobra, Wife's: 2004 Tbird
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69mach351w

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Re: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2021, 06:38:27 PM »
Can one crawl into the back and remove the panel and unbolt the lock form the inside?
A good Locksmith don't have to remove or unbolt the lock. It can be done like I mentioned in Reply #1.

67 GT350

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Re: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2021, 07:26:20 PM »
Can one crawl into the back and remove the panel and unbolt the lock form the inside?
A good Locksmith don't have to remove or unbolt the lock. It can be done like I mentioned in Reply #1.

I would agree they can just pick it in about 20 seconds and it would be open, I only suggested my suggestion as a "check and see"
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69mach351w

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Re: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2021, 02:56:27 PM »
;)

The way the locksmith done the 92 Escort in my OP, he took a blank Ford key, clamped a pair of vise-grips to the finger part of the key, stuck it into the door lock and start moving it gently up and down.  He'd take it out of the lock, put on his magnifying monical and scrape with a file on the extremely small indentations.

He kept doing that for about 10 minutes....voila!!   Door opened.

Craziest thing I've ever seen.

98SVT - was 06GT

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Re: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2021, 03:37:23 PM »
;)

The way the locksmith done the 92 Escort in my OP, he took a blank Ford key, clamped a pair of vise-grips to the finger part of the key, stuck it into the door lock and start moving it gently up and down.  He'd take it out of the lock, put on his magnifying monical and scrape with a file on the extremely small indentations.

He kept doing that for about 10 minutes....voila!!   Door opened.

Craziest thing I've ever seen.
We did that for a E Jag my friend bought out of a junkyard when we were in high school. He bought 3 and built 2 out of them. We had a great HS auto shop. The teacher was also the wood shop teacher and knew nothing of cars so he pretty much left us alone to do whatever we wanted.
Previous owner 6S843 - GT350H & 68 GT500 Convert #135.
Mine: GT1 Mustang Track Toy, 1998 SVT Cobra, Wife's: 2004 Tbird
Member since 1975 - priceless

SFM6S087

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Re: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2021, 11:32:41 AM »
Update.

My friend called a locksmith to his house and that person made a key to fit the existing lock on the hatchback of his 1976 Mustang-II. That solved his problem and he was happy that there was no damage to his car and he got to keep the original lock cylinder.

After that, I got a tip that would have saved some money, so I'm posting that here in case someone else his this issue in the future. This is true for 1975 & 76 Mustang-II. I don't know if it's true for the other years.

If the car has a lock on the glove box door, that will be keyed to match the hatch. You can take that door to a locksmith and have him make a key right there in his shop. That key will also fit the hatch. And you've saved the cost of a house call.

Special thanks to Steve Prewitt on the MCA forum for this tip.

Steve Sloan


Side-Oilers

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Re: How to Open Mustang-II Hatchback Without Key?
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2021, 10:13:15 PM »
^^^Agreed. I think every 1960s-70s GM car I've ever owned (sorry :-X) had a glove box lock keyed the same as the trunk.
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Formerly:
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