Like so many others here, our truck was broken into by jamming a screwdriver in the lock and simply pushing in and spinning the whole lock cyl. Nothing to it. Got my wife's brand new head unit. It was a bright, sunny day at WalMart.

I took the handle and lock out and looked at it - really is a cheesy POC. I think I'm entitled to say that - I've driven Fords for almost 40 yrs.

Few questions for those that've been through this:

How likely is it that a junk yard will sell a used lock cyl by itself, and for probably how much? The nearest local dealer wants $77+, and that's not rekeyed (although they say it includes tumbler pins to rekey it - mighty generous).

Can a locksmith ever repair one after they've been jammed w/ a screw driver?

For 2000 models, has anyone devised a way to improve the lock so it can't be shoved inward and rotated so easily (add metal or bracing inside)? I'm thinkin' a heavy pc of sheet metal (~ 1/8") attached to end of lock and one other point inside the door.

I figure we need to put an alarm in, or else I'm not buying another head unit to give to some punk. Any suggestions? If I get one, I'll probably put 'er in myse'f. I don't want one o' thuh sissy alarms that goes wee-wee-wee. I want one that goes BLARRRR-BLARRR-BLARRR!!! Like a diesel truck horn.

As a side, what are others' experiences w/ insurance co's and how they treat you on estimating the lock repair and amount for the head unit? The unit was 3 mo old, but strangely, it is now discontinued. Only a few fly by night places online (and none locally) still listed it, for about $100 less than when we got it as a gift. No receipt, but all the orig paperwork, S/N, remote, orig box, etc.

Kenwood Corp told me the unit listed for $300, and said they'd give that info to my insurance ballbuster - uh,...adjuster.

Thanks!

 

the new lock cyl. isnt too hard to key for your truck.... but you will want a quiet place with good lighting. and it might take you a while, the first one is always a pain.and as far as reinforcing the lock,.... i dont know bout that, you would need to insure it wont be in the way, that is a buzy place in the door with all the rods and the window.

 

Did you go back into WallyWorld?? They have camera's on the parking places (at least mine does). Some Buttguy (wanna say something worse but I am trying to stay civil) Hit my truck @ Lowes and then stayed parked in front of my truck!! I whent inside while the cops were on thier way and watched the tape to catch the guy lying that he backed off afterwords. There should have been camera's. What model type 2000 F150, because mine has an alarm, unfotrunately with the low-end horn not working it is just Beep beep beep.
~Phil

 

Lots of posts say their door locks were only pushed in, but mine was pushed in about 3/8", AND turned about 90 deg inside plastic housing. Some posts mention the Jimmie-Jammer, but that looks like it only would keep lock from being pushed in.

Is that really going to keep them from getting it open?

 

Is that really going to keep them from getting it open?--thats impossible
a crook can break into an armored truck it they want to

 

That's true. However, my question was concerning how effective the Jimmi-Jammer was at keeping the lock cyl from being bypassed. I've got a call into that company & I'll post back if find anything useful.

Zambonimaxx, WalMart mgmt told me on phone that only law enforcement can come & look at tapes. Probably varies for different companies. I've asked the investigating constable 2x about it - said he was going to, but hasn't yet.

 

I'm going thru something quite similar w/ my 99 F150. Some punk raped my driverside key tumbler, the whole tumbler fell off down into the bottom of the door well somewhere. They didn't get in, but I felt so violated nonetheless.

I can get in to my truck from the passenger side, the keyless entry doesn't work all that well due to the whole thermistor thing (both driver and passenger sides will open, but most times only half way, forcing me to go in thru the passenger side, climb over, unlock the driver side, then go around).

I need to fix this, but have been leary of taking her to a Ford dealership to experience the $90/hr labor rates. It's not been a big priority, but I think it's time to do something about this.