Tailgate Lock Cylinder (LMC $85 WTF)

[jeremywrags]

Hi All,

Please tell me that there is someplace better to buy the Lock Cylinder for the Blazer Power tailgate than LMC. It's a keyed switch that should cost at most $20.00.

Anyone have any ideas for an alternative, ideas or previous experience is welcome.

Thanks

 

[K5dreamer]

so its both a complex mechanical device, as well as en electronic one, thats designed specifically to fit your truck, which is im guessing about 20 years old.... why exactly would you think that "should" cost $20? what do you base that on? seems like a pretty reasonable price for that to me.

Best advice i can give is go junkyard scrounging and see if you can find one that works. not trying to be a prick, i just work at a dealership and run into this all the time. the cost is usually pretty reasonable on something, unless you can make/do it yourself. just sayin.

 

[jeff in co]

so its both a complex mechanical device, as well as en electronic one, thats designed specifically to fit your truck, which is im guessing about 20 years old.... why exactly would you think that "should" cost $20? what do you base that on? seems like a pretty reasonable price for that to me.

Best advice i can give is go junkyard scrounging and see if you can find one that works. not trying to be a prick, i just work at a dealership and run into this all the time. the cost is usually pretty reasonable on something, unless you can make/do it yourself. just sayin.

Not trying to defend him but maybe he is just comparing the "lock cylinder" of the front doors ($29.95 for 2 cylinders with round keys) vs. rear tailgate "1 lock cylinder with key only" for $89.95. That price did not include the entire outside assembly (+$32.95).

 

[Muddytazz]

The tailgate lock cylinder is not a mechanical lock like the door locks in our rigs. They are a electrical switch (hence the high price). You can shop around and get them a little cheaper than LMC tho.

 

[jeff in co]

The tailgate lock cylinder is not a mechanical lock like the door locks in our rigs. They are a electrical switch (hence the high price). You can shop around and get them a little cheaper than LMC tho.

Ahhhh......that makes more sense. I haven't taken that tailgate apart to know. I did just change the door locks though!

 

[jeremywrags]

Thanks for the reply... It may be reasonable but it seems high to me for a "switch" key operated or not.

Anyway, I think you are right, the junk yard is probably the best bet as the one from a Suburban will also work and can be re-keyed fro around $10

 

[Muddytazz]

If you go the junkyard route, when you pull out that one make sure and take it apart right there on the spot. These keyed switches are prone to the copper contact to break over time of use and you'll be SOL with a non-working switch. I don't know about down there but around here electrical parts can't be returned to a wrecking yard if they are wrong ones you need.

 

[3MAX]

The switch was bad in the Blazer that I bought, but rather than replace it, I wired in a rocker switch to power the window. I mounted the switch above the license plate so it's hidden, but still easy to reach. Now I don't have to have the keys everytime I open the tailgate.

 

[Blue85]

When my tailgate switch went bad I opened it up and soldered new contacts onto both sides of the switch to make it work like new. I thought I'd throw that in there as a money saving option. Have you talked to a locksmith about resetting the tumblers to match your new key?

 

[jeff in co]

When my tailgate switch went bad I opened it up and soldered new contacts onto both sides of the switch to make it work like new. I thought I'd throw that in there as a money saving option. Have you talked to a locksmith about resetting the tumblers to match your new key?

Be sure to "ask" for a price for re-keying a lock. Assuming it couldn't really be more than $10 a lock, I brought in the two door lock assemblies with my new key and wanted to re-key both of them. Finished up in about 30 minutes so I went to pick them up......$45 .

Found out later from a friend the lock place was known for high prices....wow, I had no idea! Definitely won't use them to re-key the tailgate!