Is it possible to re-key my half doors?

EchoWhiskey

Member
Original poster
Joined
Jan 22, 2019
Messages
26
Location
Tucson, AZ
I am buying a set of OEM half doors to go on my 2006 TJ. Anyone know if it is possible to re-key these doors to work with my ignition and full door keys?

Thanks...
 
I haven’t done it, yet, but I’ve read where a locksmith should be able to if you take them the cylinders and your key.

I bought a used set of doors about a year ago but haven’t gotten around to doing anything with them.
 
Well, my ebay auction that I was bidding on just got sniped at about the 4 second mark. The search for half doors continues...
 
Yes - take your door cylinders to a good locksmith along with the key from your full doors/ignition. My guy did mine in ~1 week for $30.00...

On the one hand, I will probably never lock my half doors; hell, I don't even lock my FULL doors since I have a soft top only. I did it as a contingency in case I ever buy a hardtop AND some of those cool Bull Dawg fiberglass half door uppers; plus me KNOWING that all my lock cylinders are the same gives me one LESS thing to keep me from sleeping at night...:jaja-no:
 
That’s kinda how I am. Even though there isn’t any kind of security with half doors and a soft top, I still want them to work as they should.
 
I actually only care to do it to prevent myself from having to climb over the back end and seat of the TJ when one of my kids accidentally locks the door and closes it when uppers are in. Lazy = Yes. Silly = Maybe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MountaineerTom
I am buying a set of OEM half doors to go on my 2006 TJ. Anyone know if it is possible to re-key these doors to work with my ignition and full door keys?

Thanks...

Yes. They can easily be rekeyed. Just remove the cylinder from the door. It’ll be cheaper. Shouldn’t take more than a day. Had mine done for $25 per cylinder. Any locksmith should be able to do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Rekeying a lock is very easy, it’s harder just to get to the lock cylinder in the door than it is to rekey the thing. The only real issue is finding out what you need to key it to. A locksmith has tools and know-how to do that or you could add another few minutes to your ordeal and remove the lock cylinder from your steering column and find out.

It’s your call, after buying wafers and springs you’re gonna be out probably the same as what a locksmith might charge. Then again now you have enough to do other locks and your ignition and tailgate if need be, plus you learned a new skill, and if the locksmith says he will take a week? Well, I can be inpatient
 
Rekeying a lock is very easy, it’s harder just to get to the lock cylinder in the door than it is to rekey the thing. The only real issue is finding out what you need to key it to. A locksmith has tools and know-how to do that or you could add another few minutes to your ordeal and remove the lock cylinder from your steering column and find out.

It’s your call, after buying wafers and springs you’re gonna be out probably the same as what a locksmith might charge. Then again now you have enough to do other locks and your ignition and tailgate if need be, plus you learned a new skill, and if the locksmith says he will take a week? Well, I can be inpatient

If he wants the doors keys to match the ignition. All he needs to bring is the key to the ignition and the door cylinders. No need to remove the ignition cylinder


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheGanzman
If he wants the doors keys to match the ignition. All he needs to bring is the key to the ignition and the door cylinders. No need to remove the ignition cylinder


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was saying it for the sake of if he wanted to rekey it himself than for the locksmith. That’s why I mentioned they have the tools and know-how to do it without having to remove anything.
 
I was saying it for the sake of if he wanted to rekey it himself than for the locksmith. That’s why I mentioned they have the tools and know-how to do it without having to remove anything.

Ah. Yeah. It’s not hard or so i’ve heard. Though probably a bit annoying with all those little pins.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: danof76
Ah. Yeah. It’s not hard or so i’ve heard. Though probably a bit annoying with all those little pins.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have only done my ignition, replaced it with one on Amazon so I had the old one to look at. On the actual cylinder itself all I used was a small flathead to defeat some detent pins and some needle nose pliers, and all I needed to get it out of the steering column was a Philips head screwdriver.

First time projects normally take me a long time cause I check and double check my steps. Removing the lock, rekeying it and reinstalling took me maybe half an hour and I’ve never done any sort of lockwork to that extent.

Like I said before, it may not be completely worth it monetarily, but it may save you time and I like learning new things. I mean, a lot of us here work on Jeeps for part of that reason and being able to DIY. It just another thing I can say I did to my Jeep!
 
I went to a few locksmiths to have my half doors rekeyed and they weren't interested in anything "automotive" which kind of surprised me. I then went to a dealership and they did it for about $40 (CDN) if I recall. All locks on my LJ now match the ignition key.

As for locking my half doors ... I do. It's unlikely but it is possible that they could be stolen either as a prank or because another jeep owner wants a set. Compared to full doors they are pretty easy to remove and walk away with. I also disabled the lock mechanism on the inside of the door so you can't just reach in and unlock them. Whatever is inside is kind of easy pickings of course but I guess we're all used to that.
 
I went to a few locksmiths to have my half doors rekeyed and they weren't interested in anything "automotive" which kind of surprised me. I then went to a dealership and they did it for about $40 (CDN) if I recall. All locks on my LJ now match the ignition key.

As for locking my half doors ... I do. It's unlikely but it is possible that they could be stolen either as a prank or because another jeep owner wants a set. Compared to full doors they are pretty easy to remove. I also disabled the lock mechanism on the inside of the door so you can't just reach in and unlock them. Whatever is inside is kind of easy pickings of course but I guess we're all used to that.

A little bit ago doors were getting stolen where I live. Thankfully I have the brackets that bolt to the windshield to have light pods and they don’t let you remove the doors unless you undo them first. Door theft is a very real thing.
I wouldn’t worry about things being stolen in the jeep cause that’ll happen to any car if there’s something inside a thief wants. I’m worried about the expensive jeep parts that get stolen.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: danof76
A little bit ago doors were getting stolen where I live. Thankfully I have the brackets that bolt to the windshield to have light pods and they don’t let you remove the doors unless you undo them first. Door theft is a very real thing.
I wouldn’t worry about things being stolen in the jeep cause that’ll happen to any car if there’s something inside a thief wants. I’m worried about the expensive jeep parts that get stolen.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Those brackets work well. In my case, I just detached the internal rod that connects the latch to the interior lock button. I lock mine from the outside. Basically, if you can't open them you can't take them. :biggrin:
 
Yes. He. And yes. I can find tons of doors. Let me know what you need.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@Chasitek - I am looking for TJ half doors that are clean - inside and out. My TJ is in “brand new” condition (as of now). Silver paint with Dark Slate Grey interior.

- Best case scenario is that I find silver on dark slate grey in good condition of 90/100.

- Next best case scenario is that I find any color with dark slate grey in good condition of 90/100 and will then have the exterior color resprayed to silver.

- Worst case scenario is that I find any color with light grey, black, or tan interior, in condition of 90/100. I will then respray the exterior and have the interior PVC painted to match.

I am willing to spend $ for clean half doors.