A source for lock cylinders for the jack box lids?

[5thhorsemann]

First, I shoot in tactical handgun competitions and have turned the two compartments behind the seats of my 240 into one pistol box and one ammo box using foam and felt linings. I would now like to install some locks in the lids, has anyone out there done this without having to weld "D rings" or other lock slug hardware in the lids? If so, where did you get the locks?

[EScanlon]

I did something similar years ago with the Fuel Access Door on a Mercury Capri II, except it was a complete custom install as the car did not originaly come with the feature. However, the type of door/construction of the Capri's Fuel Door and the Z's Tool Compartment Covers is very similar, except that you won't have to come up with the tab of metal for the lock to catch on to.

Check with a Tool Box supplier... I sourced mine back then from the Snap-On dealer but Matco and Mac both have similar locks.

One other thing that comes to mind is that the hole for the Z's latch lid may be a true circle whereas the tool box holes are usually flat sided "circles" (i.e. a flat section out of each side of the circle has been removed). If so, and if memory serves, there are two styles of these locks, one uses a clip similar to the car's external door lock and the other uses a nut and lock washer. I suggest you get the one with the nut as that would allow you to clamp it down fairly tightly and possibly avoid having the lock, while still locked, to be "spun" and get bypassed. (I suppose you could epoxy, weld or braze something in there.)

Here's a pair that uses a round key, which for your purposes may be better than the standard flat key:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?search=true&item_ID=643976&PartNo=K2HLA&group_id=681922&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

E

[Arne]

You should be able to find a lock that will work at any good locksmith, if that's more convenient than the tool companies. The locksmith I use for my car stuff has lots of this kind of thing in stock, so you can look at and touch it in person before purchase.

[5thhorsemann]

The snap on link is the right idea, but I don't like the idea of having a bump in the carpet advertising there may be a compartment there, aside from the fact that you could grab it with a pair of channel dogs. The Lock Smith was where I was headded in the first place, just fishing for someone that has had the same plan. Thanks guys.

[Oiluj]

Two words: McMaster-Carr.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#cam-latches/=gfbbgl

Ships same or next day.