Thread: I have three different keys for my County. Is it possible to need only one?

Pre-1987 110s had different size key barrels for the ignition, doors and (where fitted) rear door. The bonnet lock (where fitted) is the same size barrel as the rear door, and on mine they are keyed the same.

Common keying them seems to be only feasible by replacing the locks (and hence doors) with those from 1987 on.

I simply fitted central locking for all five doors and I don't lock the bonnet as a general rule.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

I simply fitted central locking for all five doors and I don't lock the bonnet as a general rule.

John, did you just use one of those generic CL kits? Obviously I don't need it for the Discos, but it would be brilliant on the OKA, which needs a key to lock all three doors.

Originally Posted by Tins

John, did you just use one of those generic CL kits? Obviously I don't need it for the Discos, but it would be brilliant on the OKA, which needs a key to lock all three doors.

Yes, I had to get a bit creative both with the rear door (took off the inside locking knob and added a small lever for the actuator to pull on) and the key operation (added a microswitch on the back of the key barrel). It only operates off the driver's door, and does not have remote operation - it was more money and I did not think it was worth it. That was in 1994, from memory.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

That was in 1994, from memory.

And it's still working?? Can't see that happening with one of these $30 jobs from guess who.

Many many thanks everyone for the effort gone to and advice given, very much appreciated.
So far doesn’t seem to be any easy answer, and yes I am missing the keys that fit the bonnet, or the lock is broken because the keys I have don’t fit.

Ignition key is much bigger than the rear door key which is slightly bigger than the side doors which is a bit bigger than the cubby key. Sounds like in my year model this is just how it was. What the hell were they thinking?!

I had briefly considered central locking but installing supposed good quality steelmate central locking kits on two previously owned hilux ‘s (before I saw the light) didn’t prove reliable, but that was many years ago. Perhaps there’s better more reliable options now? Kinda want to keep it simpler though but if that’s the only option; just dunno. Twice bitten.

Also briefly considered the newer doors but I was dreaming. Too pricey for me.

I spoke with 4wd industries who believe their products can get me all doors keys keyed alike but not ignition, but even that is in doubt now by the sounds of it. I’ll have to take the door skins off and have a look.

I love my 85 County but it sure has its quirks!

Originally Posted by alittlebitconcerned

.....What the hell were they thinking?!

.......

I think that what you need to remember is that this is a direct descendant of the original Landrover. With door tops and tilt optional equipment, door locks were not even thought of. They became optional somewhere in the 1950s, but did not become standard equipment until much later. Since they were optional, common keying with the ignition was not even thought of, although at this stage it would have been possible. Rear doors initially used the door lock, but this was not very satisfactory and later special locks were used - but I suspect they were not from the same supplier, so there was no impetus for things such as common keying or having interchangeable cylinders.

Then somewhere in the 1970s, some jurisdictions mandated steering locks. These needed a much more massive key to work the locking mechanism, and the length needed could not be fitted to the door locks without redesign of them, which did not happen until 1987 (Leyland treated Landrover as a cash cow from about 1970 until the breakup of Leyland, so money for change was not available).

Originally Posted by alittlebitconcerned

Ignition key is much bigger than the rear door key which is slightly bigger than the side doors which is a bit bigger than the cubby key ...... What the hell were they thinking?

Well, we lost the key to our HR Holden one time and Dad was getting very distressed about it until I showed them something that 11 year old me had sussed out about a year earlier - the key for our HD Holden would start the HR. Turns out that Holden only had 1000 keys and ours were close enough to each other to work on both cars.

Originally Posted by alittlebitconcerned

What the hell were they thinking?!

LR were probably one of the last to do it, but it was very common for cars to have different keys for everything. Most old GM stuff, Italian, etc they were all different. Germans were some of the first to try and make everything the same.
Yes, I think it's dumb too. But it did make me a good bit of money when I was doing automotive locksmithing.