Drivers door lock cylinder replacement or delete?

[GuatHoe07]

Seems like I neglected to notice that I've been driving around with a big old hole in my door handle where my door's lock cylinder should be. I can look in and see the rod to actuate the lock, so thats no bueno. I live in a place with a decent amount of theft and break-ins so I'm considering my options. It has been a PIMO to find the replacement door lock (even the local chevy dealer says they have to SO it), but washers and JB weld is a plenty.

Looks like I have 2 options

1. Cough up the money to SO a replacement door lock.
2. Delete the key lock entirely and hope my battery never dies.

I would love to hear from some experts on what they would recommend. I think you might be able to tell I'm leaning towards option 2, but that's really only if there is a good way to get back into the Tahoe if the battery dies.

 

[Fless]

It would help to tell us what you're driving. Consider putting some vehicle info in your signature so it's always there.

 

[GuatHoe07]

Sorry, it’s an 07 Tahoe

 

[mikez71]

You could hook up a hidden hood release so you can jump or replace the battery.

 

[GuatHoe07]

You could hook up a hidden hood release so you can jump or replace the battery.

Heyyy, not a bad idea at all, I’ll consider it

 

[GuatHoe07]

Here’s the update and a before and after for those interested. After some consideration and wandering around the hardware store, I decided the best thing I could do right now is create a temporary plug that was sufficiently idiot proof and weather proof that it would deter the average opportunistic thief who would recognize an exposed lock rod. It’s actually fairly tasteful and complex for what I could find on hand. It’s one of those self expanding tapper bolts, but with the expander turned around so the nut sits inside instead of exposed outside. The nut is just small enough to fit into the cylinder, but with the tapper cage wrapped around it, it’s big enough to not be pulled out of the cylinder, and provides a decent seal when tightened down. The whole thing can be taken out by hand if you know what you are doing, and are patient. I’m going to put some thread lock on it probably in a few days and add some better seals, and I think at that point it would do the trick.

 

[Doubeleive]

there are tons of handles on amazon, ebay, auto parts stores, when the lock is punched it breaks the clip on the backside of the door handle that holds the lock so it has to be replaced. the lock is probably inside the bottom of the door. might be dented on the front depending on how it was punched.

 

[GuatHoe07]

there are tons of handles on amazon, ebay, auto parts stores, when the lock is punched it breaks the clip on the backside of the door handle that holds the lock so it has to be replaced. the lock is probably inside the bottom of the door. might be dented on the front depending on how it was punched well I it could be down there but I went to

I thought it may be down there too but I didn’t hear anything rattling around when I tried to shake the door. I hope it turns up and you’re right. Seems like it got punched out during the last owner, so I’ve got no way of knowing until I take the door apart, which won’t happen until I get some more tools and so more panel clips

 

[Doubeleive]

I thought it may be down there too but I didn’t hear anything rattling around when I tried to shake the door. I hope it turns up and you’re right. Seems like it got punched out during the last owner, so I’ve got no way of knowing until I take the door apart, which won’t happen until I get some more tools and so more panel clips

it has to be in there unless someone opened the door panel and removed it, there is no where else for it to go and it would not be pulled out thru that small hole.
but at any rate if you have to replace it any locksmith can re-key it to your existing key for a few bucks

 

[GuatHoe07]

it has to be in there unless someone opened the door panel and removed it, there is no where else for it to go and it would not be pulled out thru that small hole.
but at any rate if you have to replace it any locksmith can re-key it to your existing key for a few bucks

I’ll check

 

[fredcook]

I would just replace the locks. Replacing the locks on '07-'14 isn't hard and doesn't cost much. I replaced all keys and fobs on our '08 and '13 in the last year. Total cost for door cylinders, ignition cylinder, keys, and fobs, was less than $150 for each vehicle. I found a local locksmith to rekey the door cylinders to match the new ignition keys for $5 each so I don't have two different keys. Found everything needed Amazon.

Key fobs @ Amazon = $30 (nice aftermarket, not bland stock)
Dorman brand ignition cylinder @ Amazon = $60 (recommend going with Dorman, their key transponders work)
Generic door cylinders @ Amazon = $30
Re-keying door cylinders to match ignition = $5

If you need the door handle, chrome versions are less than $25 on Amazon.

Since you are just concerned about the door, and not the ignition. Just get the $30 door cylinders and have them rekeyed to match your existing ignition key.