Lost keys

[MN73GMC]

I managed to lose the keys to my '73 C10, and despite living in a rural area and often leaving the truck unlocked, of course it is locked this time. So, outside of trying similar keys and hoping one might be close enough to work, is there a relatively easy way to get one of the doors open, or do I likely need to call a locksmith? Thanks.

 

[Rickf]

Google "slim jim tool", then put a magnetic hide-a key under the hood.

 

[Turbo4whl]

I managed to lose the keys to my '73 C10, and despite living in a rural area and often leaving the truck unlocked, of course it is locked this time. So, outside of trying similar keys and hoping one might be close enough to work, is there a relatively easy way to get one of the doors open, or do I likely need to call a locksmith? Thanks.

1973... open the hood, remove the bail wire holding the brake master cylinder lid on. Slip the curved end past the vent window rubber. Rotate the curved hook, grab the vent window latch and twist the latch open. Reach in the window and open the door with the door latch.

Note: One curved end of the bail wire will open one side door. The other side of the bail wire will open the door on the other side. Look at the the bail wire, figure which end has the right bend to open the vent window on that side.

Once you figure out how to do it, you will be in the locked door in 10 seconds.

 

[MN73GMC]

Thanks!

 

[Sad Sack]

And if ya want something more fancy:

Wing Window Tool

In one motion the Wing Window Tool depresses the lock pin and rotates the latch making it another valuable asset to the Grand Master Kit.

store.z-tool.com

Especially helpful when wing windows have the release button.

 

[bucket]

1973... open the hood, remove the bail wire holding the brake master cylinder lid on. Slip the curved end past the vent window rubber. Rotate the curved hook, grab the vent window latch and twist the latch open. Reach in the window and open the door with the door latch.

Note: One curved end of the bail wire will open one side door. The other side of the bail wire will open the door on the other side. Look at the the bail wire, figure which end has the right bend to open the vent window on that side.

Once you figure out how to do it, you will be in the locked door in 10 seconds.

That's good thinking right there.

There's been a couple times I've had to break into my own vehicle using the radio antenna.

 

[Sad Sack]

That's good thinking right there.

There's been a couple times I've had to break into my own vehicle using the radio antenna.

How'd did you get it out from inside your windshield. I locked my keys in one time and stared at my windshield for hours thinking I gotta make it work!

Ut oh, vodka is kicking in...

 

[bucket]

How'd did you get it out from inside your windshield. I locked my keys in one time and stared at my windshield for hours thinking I gotta make it work!

Ut oh, vodka is kicking in...

They weren't trucks with an antenna embedded in the windshield, lol. One was my '91 S10 pickup and the other was an '06 C-7500 work truck.

 

[mtbadbob]

I jacknife through the wing window in about 3 seconds...

 

[Vbb199]

Ive definitely used my antenna to break into my trucks before lol

 

[legopnuematic]

A piece of Tig wire (or other suitable heavier wire) bent into a hook and slid in between the door glass and the Weather strip at the back of the door works too, to hook the lock rod lever.

Have had to do that a couple times on my 76.

 

[CheemsK1500]

Older squares without the locking vent window latch button, can just have the vent window opened from the outside of with a skinny screw driver or something similar stuck through the gap and then you can just stick your arm through the window opening and pull up on the lock rod.

 

[goldpack]

in a pinch,...local cops help people open doors for free.
as they like tow companies have slim jims / wedges/ hooks / probes .

last time I seen it. 2 20 year old ladies locked their keys inside a small sedan. ...i told them to call the county cops,...county cops got a town cop to come from one town over. (...small county pays by the call to whatever dept has free hand). this was a walmart parking lot. I left them sitting on the trunk, and the townie was rolling up the driveway.

insurance/ AAA/ haggerty car club etc ...may have lockout coverage too.

(edit: but this is like a job for a wire cloths hanger)

 

[Memaloose]

When I buy a vehicle the first thing I do is get at least another couple sets of keys made and keep one set hidden on the vehicle and another set on a keyboard in the house. I've learned the hard way.

 

[TotalyHucked]

I used to be able to twist my vent window locks from the outside and just hit the button but of course, right after I rebuilt the locks, I lock the keys in the truck...in a blizzard...in AZ when we're by ourselves on the way back from Dino's. GF mentions she has bobby pins, so I decide to try that. A bobby pin by itself won't do it but a bobby pin and a pocket knife will jimmy the door lock perfectly. I've had to do that 3 times now...