@#&* Door Locks

[dcscott]

Before I took delivery of my 03 I noticed several posts about the electric door locks just up and locking the doors while the driver was outside the truck. Thus I was really careful to never close the door with my keys inside. After 5-6 months with no problem I kind of got to thinking that perhaps this problem had been fixed by the time my truck was built. I got complacent.



Friday morning I got in my truck at 6:30am, 12 miles from the nearest anything, drove a few hundred yards and got out to close a fence gate. I closed the door to keep the heat in. Returned to the truck to find all four doors locked. 13 degrees, my phone is locked in the car, no one around for miles, damn! Of course I was too stupid to hide a key somewhere on the truck despite the warnings on TDR. Long story short - I ended up having to break out the drivers side rear window. The glass is so strong I thought I was going to bend the door frame before it finally shattered.



Tomorrow the window gets replaced. Today a hide-a-key got installed. Sure hope that someday I have the opportunity to meet the engineer who designed the door lock system. Moral: Don't get to thinking it can't happen to you!





Dale

 

[SRadke]

There are several electronic features reguarding the door locks. Mine used to lock automatically at 10-15 miles per hour. I had the dealer turn that off. You can't lock the doors (at least on mine) with the keys in the ignition. Nice feature. The problem is that damn door chime is so annoying I always pull the key out slightly to shut it up and then the doors will lock. I guess the hide-a-key is the best solution.



-Scott

 

[Radshooter]

I carry 2 sets of keys, one in each pocket. I always have one with me that way, in or out of the truck. Has saved my bu** more than once!

 

[StephenThomas]

Where's a good place and method to hide a key on the exterior of the truck? Do those metal w/magnet "hide-a-key" things work?? I've always been afraid they'd bounce off.

 

[RobertBolinger]

One hiding place that works good is inside the hitch receiver in a hide a key if you use a hitch box cover-of course this does not work with a hitch installed-but it is very unlikely to bounce loose otherwise...

 

[Tony T.]

Spares

Have not checked on any spare keys yet from the dealership but, if they had the plastic type keys made to open the doors only that would be ok to stash in your wallet, and would not be that bulky I would'nt think, kind of like a credit card. Some year model cars, and trucks use to supply them with new vehicle purchase. I know my wife's 93 Astro van had two of them with it.

 

[Grayhackle]

Could not find a blank for my truck anywhere in town. I checked places like wallyworld, true value, checker etc. Dealer charged $6

for an extra key to hide. Toyota came with 3 keys.

 

[sfr1047]

Hide a KEy

I used a magnetic hide a key for years on my 96. I stuck it under the front on the frame. It held just fine.

I have one now on my 04.

 

[bighammer]

If you put it under the bedrail, it won't get all nasty. If it does fall off, it's still in the truck.



I disabled the annoying key-in chime so I would guess mine could lock any time.

 

[DWeisshahn]

Hide-A-key

On my 96, I got a spare key without the plastic on it and put it behind the license plate. Stays secure, clean, and can be removed with a coin if you don't carry a leatherman with you!

 

[Fireman]

:-laf Now I don't feel so stupid.



Painted my (new) spare flat black and used a black wiretie to secure it somewhere under the truck. You can't see it when looking directly at it, and it won't come off.



Fireman

 

[fencebuilders]

defeat/bypass

Does anyone know how to defeat/bypass the 10-15 mph auto lock feature without going to the dealer?

 

[RankRam]

Re: defeat/bypass

Originally posted by fencebuilders

Does anyone know how to defeat/bypass the 10-15 mph auto lock feature without going to the dealer?

It's in the owners manual.

 

[fencebuilders]

Re: Re: defeat/bypass

Originally posted by RankRam

It's in the owners manual.

Thanks... ...

 

[Glen]

I had my local hardware store make me a key. It won't start the truck but it will open the door. I hide it with a magnetic key holder. I hid one of my security keys inside the truck. If I lose my key while I am hunting or fishing I can unlock the dooor with my outside key then strart the truck with my hidden key. They can't steal the truck with the hardware store key.



I noticed that I will lock and unlock the doors if I have my remote opener in my pocket.

 

[nickleinonen]

i have like a 1/2 dozen keys for different applications on me at all times. i don't want that whole mess of them hanging off the ignition, so i have them all split up into 2 main groups [one set has the truck key, cap key, house key, the other set has cubevan door key, ignition key, gate lock key, then i also have the remote keyfob with gas cap lock key for my dodge, a 1/2" adjustable wrench, and a #2 philips bit screwdriver -yeah, lots of junk] so if i leave my truck with the engine running, i will always have the key fob with me to get in [as long as the batteries work] i am tempted to wire in a secret switch outside somewhere that i can use to power the unlock power circuit if i do manage to lock myself out... .

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by StephenThomas

Where's a good place and method to hide a key on the exterior of the truck? Do those metal w/magnet "hide-a-key" things work?? I've always been afraid they'd bounce off.

I've had the same hide a key for probably 20 years. You just jave to remember where you hid it. I think I'll go check after I post this .



Dean

 

[Dieselnut59]

Originally posted by bighammer

If you put it under the bedrail, it won't get all nasty. If it does fall off, it's still in the truck.



I disabled the annoying key-in chime so I would guess mine could lock any time.

How did you disable the annoying chime? I rarely ever lock my doors, except when in town and I like to listen to the radio while working near the truck. I have always disabled the annoying chime by removing the door switch, but this one has it in the latch! I want to disable the %$&@ chime all together if possible.

 

[vciesielski]

Hide-A-Key

Just seperate Key and Remote and keep Remote on you at all times.

 

[rweis]

I hid the spare key on my 2002 (ie will start the truck) behind the tag. Drill the key with a 1/4" hole. If you don't have a coin a belt buckle will do. I have seen thumb screws put in place of regular license tag screws.



I hat the 15 mph lock thing and will see if on the 2002 I can disable it. If I want them locked I WILL LOCK THEM!



TDR is great!, Short search, find answer!



Bob Weis