Dan Juday Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Well, not exactly. I had seen posts about how you can buy a cheap set of door locks for your Z ($25) just by ordering '81 Maxima locks. Cool. I need new locks and a set of old junk yard locks sounded bad (pre-worn out) and $300+ from MSA is more than I will spend and more than I need (comes with ignition switch and hatch too). So off to Napa I go. $40 for part# DLK110, two door locks, two keys, all I need. Not $25 but still very reasonable. Now do they fit? Let me start by saying my car is a '73. If you have a different year your mileage may very. The answer is yes!.....and no. They drop right into the hole in the door perfectly, but the crank is longer and not offset like the originals. Yes, I tried to exchange the crank arms, no go, different design. "Well, let's see if that makes any difference." Yes it does. The longer crank pushes the rod attached to it into the handle mechanism. One more thing: The phasing of the swing of the crank (the part of the circle the crank actually swings in) is different too. Oh, boy. An hour and a half latter I got one to work. After removing the window glass and associated hardware so I could see what was going on I was able to come up with a solution. The lock crank is connected to a "dog leg" shaped rod that connects to the latch mechanism. Remove the rod from the door and straighten out the dog leg. Don't try to do this with the rod still attached to the latch. It is too easy to bend other stuff in there you don't want bent (ask me how I know). Straightening the rod allows it to clear the handle mechanism and sufficiently lengthens it to compensate for the difference in crank phasing. Put it back together and you're in business. Hope this helps anybody else in need of new door locks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwink25 Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Sounds like a good solution! I have plenty of locks, two sets of them in fact...just no keys! Sounds like I found a cheaper answer than having my locksmith make new keys for old locks. Thanks! Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Hrm. My issue is that I have a Maxima ignition switch (ala Owen), so, it'd be nice to get back to just one key. I did notice that the Autozone sells Nissan door locks. So, just a wee bit o' bendin' then, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 My Maxima locks dropped right into my '73...no bending or anything... Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ON3GO Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 man all my locks on my Z are broke.. so i guess i just order maxima ones? only 81' locks will work? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwink25 Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 Hey Owen, what year of locks did you use? Thanks, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastzcars Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 I also used maxima locks from autozone as well. They fit perfect, no bending at all? I'm not sure of the year. But I ask the counter guy to get me the earliest year in there catalog. I'm pretty sure it was a 81 model. I took a Z lock to compare. and the arm was less than a 1/16 inch longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 I also used maxima locks from autozone as well. They fit perfect... I'm pretty sure it was a 81 model...I took a Z lock to compare. and the arm was less than a 1/16 inch longer. That is absolutely fantastic!! I have been considering barrel locks, but the only ones I find at Pep Boys have "APC" on them---and we know that just won't do on my Z. Dan Juday: thanks for posting all that information, Bud. Your willingness to share info is admirable....it also keeps me from making the same mistakes Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest silverbullet Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 Does anyone know if the same lock dimentions are on the 280z? I have a 77 and would like to try this also, and to second what ON3GO asked is 81 the only Maxima yr. that will work? Fastzcars, how much did you pay at autozone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EnthuZiast Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 How about the possibility of using the early maxima lock in a 280ZX. It wouldn't be surprising if it was extremely similar. Any pictures of these suckers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastzcars Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 silverbullit, I paid $24.95 6 months ago.for 2 locks. I had to have the hatch lock rekeyed to match. I'll go to autozone to reconfirm, and get part number's. for you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest silverbullet Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 Thanks amigo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwink25 Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 How much did it cost to get the hatch lock rekeyed? Just wondering. So, just take it to any locksmith and say...here, make this key fit this lock please. Thanks, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastzcars Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 update . went to autozone , PN#47000 vender's name is "Lockworks".price was increased to $34.95. I got a price break on the rekey. I had a local datsun restoration shop rekey it for me, along with a handfull he had done. only cost me $25.00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwink25 Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 ok thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest silverbullet Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 Thanks for sharing and for the effort Dan Juday and fastzcars. Fastzcars, 35.00 at Autozone, still sounds pretty good to me, if I can't find them there where I am at I can always go to Napa for 40.00 which isn't bad also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.