Early Door lock (1969) Key not releasing

[RattleCan]

Trying to diagnose why my door lock doesn’t work. I have a 1969 with a very primitive lock mechanism. The key only releases in the 12 o clock position ( is that a faulty lock cylinder?) and I need it to release in the 6 o clock locked position. I could have bought the wrong lock cylinder.

I saw the note on the cool cruisers website and I thought I was going to easily fix my problem but I might be misunderstanding the instructions as I can turn the inner square shaft a quarter turn but that seems to have no effect on the key releasing.

If you have an early Landcruiser please help me out and chime in. Thank you!

 

[charliemeyer007]

I think your lock set only moves 90 degrees (the little tab in the slot towards the back). That would be 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock or like 3 to 6. The good news is that will fit my 76 ambli door that I never had a key for.
This says it is for the front driver door; maybe they sold you a front passenger door.

 

[cattfsh]

I just installed a new one in my door and had the same problem. Where I circled on the picture, that piece needs to be in the middle of that opening vice on one of the ends. As soon as I did that it, I could turn to lock or turn to unlock, then back to vertical to remove the key.

 

[RattleCan]

It seems whatever I do can’t get the key to exit any position other than 12 o clock.

I just installed a new one in my door and had the same problem. Where I circled on the picture, that piece needs to be in the middle of that opening vice on one of the ends. As soon as I did that it, I could turn to lock or turn to unlock, then back to vertical to remove the key.


View attachment 3595177

Catfish- your key now releases at 12 and 3 o clock positions? Just clarifying…

When you say that “opening vice on one of the ends what do you mean?” I think my lock may be faulty because I’ve tried to position that little nub at different orientation in the opening with no change with the cylinder releasing the key.

Thanks for the help…

 

[cattfsh]

RattleCan,

The key releases at the 12 o clock position only. I turn to the right I think to lock, then back to 12 and pull the key. Same but opposite side to unlock, then back to 12 to release the key. When I installed mine, I couldn't get it to release the key at all when I locked it. The orientation of the lock and nub was like your picture. So I got the nub centered in the rectangular opening (the part I circled) and the shaft aligned to the door handle. Then I was able to release the key after locking or unlocking the lock.

Hope I explained that clear enough.....probably clear as mud!

 

[RattleCan]

Catfish- thank you. Your guidance helped me greatly and saved me possibly buying a second lock I didn’t need.

For me it was a combination of a few issues.

Not understanding how fj40 locks work, not having the inside lock finger tab tight enough ( there needs to be a little friction and resistance so the barrel can free spin in the slot)

The little nub needs to be in the center of the slot so it can unlock and free spin back to the 12 o clock position, and also lock in the opposite position and free spin back to the 12 o clock position. I had no resistance in the connection so the little nub wasn’t sliding in the slot.

 

[Unimogguy]

While you are working on this I would lubricate the lock mechanism. I was advised by 2 different locksmith shops in my area to use Houdini Lock Lube.