Ok, I just got a 77 FJ40 and went to lock the driver side door and found that the key doesn’t open it. Got inside and the inside latch won’t open it either. I’ve removed the interior door panel and see everything, need some help with my next step here. No need to make things worse..right
Door locks
- Thread starter krieg1977
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I have a 76 top on my 72. So your key doesn't work the lock on the driver door, did you try it in the passenger door. If the tab on the inside of the door by the handle doesn't lock/unlock the door then something is out of adjustment or broken, rusted. The mechanism isn't all that completed and I bet you can buy a new keyed lock assembly. Or if your key works on the passenger door, then you could rekey the driver door to match - not that hard if you have worked on locks before
If you plan on keeping the rig get a book(s). The factory ones are the best but a Chilton is better than nothing. Second go look at the pictures at the online places such as SOR.com.
www.sor.com
www.sor.com
Search the youtube vids and this site for your issue and see if someone has solved it.
added With the kick vents and not such a great fit on the door gasket anyone with a coat hanger can unlock a working unit in like 6 seconds - the clutch is your best anti-theft device along with a kill stitch and a fuel selector valve.
If you plan on keeping the rig get a book(s). The factory ones are the best but a Chilton is better than nothing. Second go look at the pictures at the online places such as SOR.com.
FJ40, FJ45 and FJ47 Front Doors, regulators, weatherstrip, glass, handles and hardware - USA and Non-USA spec - 1975-1984 Land Cruiser - Specter Off-Road
Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...
FJ40 Cylinder locks and keys - 1958-1984 Land Cruiser - Specter Off-Road
Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...
Search the youtube vids and this site for your issue and see if someone has solved it.
added With the kick vents and not such a great fit on the door gasket anyone with a coat hanger can unlock a working unit in like 6 seconds - the clutch is your best anti-theft device along with a kill stitch and a fuel selector valve.
Last edited:
Mike Shull
Let’s go…
My dad used to say that locking a 40 would keep honest people out. Pop the lock lever and the clip off of the cylinder and pull it out. Replace. Or don’t replace and it will work fine unlocked without the lever. It just stops the handle from lifting.
- Thread starter
- #4
I have a 76 top on my 72. So your key doesn't work the lock on the driver door, did you try it in the passenger door. If the tab on the inside of the door by the handle doesn't lock/unlock the door then something is out of adjustment or broken, rusted. The mechanism isn't all that completed and I bet you can buy a new keyed lock assembly. Or if your key works on the passenger door, then you could rekey the driver door to match - not that hard if you have worked on locks before
If you plan on keeping the rig get a book(s). The factory ones are the best but a Chilton is better than nothing. Second go look at the pictures at the online places such as SOR.com.
FJ40, FJ45 and FJ47 Front Doors, regulators, weatherstrip, glass, handles and hardware - USA and Non-USA spec - 1975-1984 Land Cruiser - Specter Off-Road
Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...FJ40 Cylinder locks and keys - 1958-1984 Land Cruiser - Specter Off-Road
Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...
Search the youtube vids and this site for your issue and see if someone has solved it.
added With the kick vents and not such a great fit on the door gasket anyone with a coat hanger can unlock a working unit in like 6 seconds - the clutch is your best anti-theft device along with a kill stitch and a fuel selector valve.
Sorry for the late response, I'm pretty sure at this point something is out of wack\broken. The key works for the passenger side. the hanger idea was a bust. I think the outside door handle is not in right or the latch itself is not in right. Either way I can't get the door openI have a 76 top on my 72. So your key doesn't work the lock on the driver door, did you try it in the passenger door. If the tab on the inside of the door by the handle doesn't lock/unlock the door then something is out of adjustment or broken, rusted. The mechanism isn't all that completed and I bet you can buy a new keyed lock assembly. Or if your key works on the passenger door, then you could rekey the driver door to match - not that hard if you have worked on locks before
If you plan on keeping the rig get a book(s). The factory ones are the best but a Chilton is better than nothing. Second go look at the pictures at the online places such as SOR.com.
FJ40, FJ45 and FJ47 Front Doors, regulators, weatherstrip, glass, handles and hardware - USA and Non-USA spec - 1975-1984 Land Cruiser - Specter Off-Road
Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...FJ40 Cylinder locks and keys - 1958-1984 Land Cruiser - Specter Off-Road
Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...
Search the youtube vids and this site for your issue and see if someone has solved it.
added With the kick vents and not such a great fit on the door gasket anyone with a coat hanger can unlock a working unit in like 6 seconds - the clutch is your best anti-theft device along with a kill stitch and a fuel selector valve.
Ok. Sorry I wasn't clear on the problem as stated. IIRC there are like two rods that control the door. One is the lock and the other is the latch. They might have a little snap locking connector to keep them attached. Real PIA to try and work on the closed door. Take the panel off the passenger door and look at the rods, its exactly like the drivers side. With the window up, you should be able to reach in with like a small pair of pliers and pull the latch rod so the door will open even if the lock rod is still on. Be gentle, forcing/bending/breaking stuff isn't good. Try looking for a pic of the door guts at the other online parts sites. I know someone posts a good schematic.
The mechanism is a mirror image driver/passenger.
- Thread starter
- #7
- Thread starter
- #8
Sorry if this thread comes out crazy, I will figure it out soon. I am new to the forum game. Any way thanks for the help, lock is fixed with some bending of a few parts. It will need to be replaced in the future. SOF is a great site, picked up some odds and ends. Thank you Mike Shull your post got me thinking about the fix and take down of the lock and parts.
Mike Shull
Let’s go…
You bet. I’ve had that lever stick before, and that cylinder has been replaced once since it was new. There was a whole year that my dad used to enter from the right side, then that side got stuck and he would enter through the back. I reached in there and pulled on those levers and the door opened right up. Glad that you got it working.
Don't know if this will help you any, or at all. Maybe you can determine if all your parts are there, or what's missing. Sorry, it's the only thing I have to offer.
Think I'm having a similar issue. I didn't lock the door. Just closed it and went to open ot about 20 minutes later and no go. Won't open from inside or out. Tried jiggling, lock, unlock. Still stuck. Have to pull the interior door panel and check it out. Ya? Not gonna be real easy with the door closed.
I've been trying for 2 days now to get my door to open. I can't figure it out. I've removed the door cards from both doors to see how everything is working on the passenger side. Driver door is doing everything the same. All clips and rods are intact, unbent and doing their job. I can watch the inside of the mechanism work and everything appears to be functioning just like the other side. Just won't click the little stopper inside away so that the latch opens. I've even tried helping all the little parts inside move with a screw driver. Still no success.
Any ideas? Anyone else have this happen?
Any ideas? Anyone else have this happen?
Maybe there is a way to pull the hinge pins and unbolt the door stop? Open the door from the hinge side and finagle it off the catch? IDK still seems the door will be stuck on the latch.
did you figure it out? I have the same problem right now
I poked and prodded and studied that latch for hours. I was finally able to get it open. Mostly with luck I think. But after getting it out and looking at it I see there is a small catch inside that springs up and holds the latch closed. All the various mechanisms on the back side are meant to move that catch out of the way. Whatever connects that catch to the mechanisms on the back was broken on mine. In the pictures you can see the catch on the new latch. It's the small triangle looking piece that the pencil is pointing at. It is broken and gone in the old latch. I think I broke it off to finally get the door to open. There is just enough room there to stick a small screwdriver or poker of some sort to push that catch down and back.
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Look at the shaft the latch pivots on above that area. It well worn. It was time for a replacement.
