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richtrek
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2006
Posts: 204
Location: Santa Clarita Valley Area
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 Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject: Choosing a "key blank" |
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I have only one key for my Thing. I found a ton of "key blanks" in the Samba classifieds. Does anyone know if Thing keys are the same as Bug, etc.? Is there some type of identifier on the key that specifies the type of key to buy?
Rich |
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Woreign
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2006
Posts: 2841
Location: Crestview FL
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Eastlake/Curtis key blank "V-29" that can be found at any key shop. Fits the VW Bus... |
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FreakCitySF
Samba Member
Joined: June 08, 2004
Posts: 642
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KEY-VW-THING-BIG-BL...enameZWD1V
Here is a seller of reproductions and aftermarket.
I bought and had the key cut to my factory code. Ended up not working at all. Turns out my ignition lock and keys were well worn.
I could have it cut again to match the worn key to make it work.
but for now have a 20.00 key fob. |
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kubelmann
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2003
Posts: 3266
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| The key that fits a 73-74 Thing is the "R" profile. You can cross reference this key to lots of otehr blanks. Some key blanks are good quality and some are not. I have lots high quality VW keys available. If you give me the key code I can send you a key that will fit your car. It will be cut to code not made from your old worn key. There is a big difference. |
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kuebelwagen84
Samba Member
Joined: March 15, 2007
Posts: 144
Location: Edison, NJ
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:11 pm Post subject: |
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I had to go to my local VW dealer to get keys copied for mine, they had the blanks and a machine that cut the whole thing exactly like the original...
no other place (aside from ebay and the classifieds) had the correct blank |
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Ian Epperson
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2005
Posts: 2262
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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I happened to be at a locksmith's place and saw that he had old VW keyblanks, so I had him make 2 keys. Turned out to be a few dollars more than I could have paid at the local hardware store, but it was WELL worth it. He gave me back my worn key and told me to put it away somewhere safe, then asked me to go back to the car and try one of the new keys in ALL the locks (they're all original - ignition, doors, decklid). I found that it worked in the ignition but not one of the doors and the decklid. So, he grabbed a file, vicegrips and some powder went out to my car and worked and filed the key until it worked in all the locks, then recut the other to fit.  $5 per key suddenly seemed real cheap. |
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bciesq
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2005
Posts: 495
Location: Orlando, FL
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 4:31 am Post subject: |
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FWIW, CiP1 sells a ridiculously expensive OE key:
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D113%2D837%2D219%2DAR
Of course, I've wasted $15 on less.
Ian's right about going to a real locksmith. I had the same experience and ended up nicely working copy. It's amazing how worn down my original key had gotten. The original is now tucked away for safe keeping.
_________________
'73 Thing -- making 45 mph exciting again. |
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Thingster
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2006
Posts: 150
Location: Webster Groves, MO
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| Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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That is all rediculously expensive. I went to a local locksmith and he had the blank on the shelf, walked out for $7.50 cut and working fine 
Justin
_________________
"I like to take my Thing out and play with it."
1974 Thing (Play Toy)
1957 Sedan(Show Car)
1954 Sedan (On the back burner) |
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SteveGIndy
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2012
Posts: 19
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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| Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 11:11 am Post subject: Re: Choosing a "key blank" |
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Old thread but i was looking for keys and found a list of key manufacturers and the corresponding part numbers that fit the Thing.
Ilco : VW71A
JMA : VO-R /VOR
Curtis : V-29/V29
Taylor : V81V
Cole : VW25
Dominion : HF32
ESP : V29R
JET : V29R
Silca : VO1/V01
Star : VW5
Orion : VW20 |
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obus 
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11408
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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smokeydogvol
Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2024
Posts: 11
Location: Knoxville, TN
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| Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 9:41 am Post subject: |
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Do you still deal in key blanks? I need one for my Thing as well!
| kubelmann wrote: |
| The key that fits a 73-74 Thing is the "R" profile. You can cross reference this key to lots of otehr blanks. Some key blanks are good quality and some are not. I have lots high quality VW keys available. If you give me the key code I can send you a key that will fit your car. It will be cut to code not made from your old worn key. There is a big difference. |
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sportin-wood
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2010
Posts: 2145
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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| smokeydogvol wrote: |
| Do you still deal in key blanks? I need one for my Thing as well! |
These are pretty cheap (for 2) on eBay. I would compare the picture to any working key you have before buying.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/151435702850?fits=Model%3...R_zFy7XpZA
_________________
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Paused 66 project bug
73 Thing project (for the wifey)
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"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli |
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[email protected]
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2003
Posts: 878
Location: Clifton Park NY Saratoga County
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