Mustang Keys

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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So I have an original set of keys to my mustang, but they are pretty worn. I'd like to cut a new set out of NOS key blanks.

Problem is I see two styles.

This is what I have

IMG_4296.webp


But I've also seen this style door lock key
IMG_4295.webp



I can't find any clear info on the breakdown of what style key is original to what years. Was it random?
 
Mine is an '88

I bought these to cut, but I keep seeing cars with the fat oval style door key and wonder what the year breakdown was.

IMG_4298.webp


I could have sworn I had a buddy with a stock, clean '89 GT with the fat key
 
img_4295-jpg.593723.webp


The oval keys are for door and trunk. The square are for ignition.

You can see that the blades on the blanks are reversed.

There are keys that exist that will do both (one key for all) but you have to notch it and remember which way it goes into the door and which way into the ignition. I have one of these and I don't like it much.

The set that you bough are the closest to NOS. The set pictured above are just nice to have if you want some extra holding surface.

Edit: I think the key blanks are the same from 67 to 93 but the locks themselves are not all interchangeable.
 
My 93 came with 2 sets of keys. One set has a skinny ignition key with an oval door key, the other set has a skinny ignition key and a small round door key.


my post brings zero clarity to this thread lol
 
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I knew the square key was for the ignition, but the door keys are what is throwing me off. Just wondered if there was any sort of logic as to how Ford keyed their cars.

I'll prob just cut what I have.
 
So I have an original set of keys to my mustang, but they are pretty worn. I'd like to cut a new set out of NOS key blanks.

Problem is I see two styles.

This is what I have

IMG_4296.webp


But I've also seen this style door lock key
IMG_4295.webp



I can't find any clear info on the breakdown of what style key is original to what years. Was it random?

Mike, I remember distinctly that the '89 my father bought came with 2 sets of keys from the factory. Both ignition keys were the same - the square one. The door keys, on the other hand, were not identical. One was an oval, and the other was the smaller circular shaped key.
 
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Mike, I remember distinctly that the '89 my father bought came with 2 sets of keys from the factory. Both ignition keys were the same - the square one. The door keys, on the other hand, were not identical. One was an oval, and the other was the smaller circular shaped key.

My current 90 had 2 ovals and 2 squares with the dealer tags still on them (2nd owner). My other 90 had something similar to what you're talking about but it wasn't as documented as my current mustang.
 
The third key was probably a valet key. It works on the driver door only and won't open the glove box.

I think some years also had a plastic wallet key?

I have two sets. One I assume is original and one generic copy set.

This is what I have
IMG_4300.webp


That round key does lock the glovebox, which is interesting because my car is a black interior swap car. I can't remember if I swapped the cylinder over. Are the glove boxes keyed to the doors?
 
i have 2 of the small ovals and one of the big ones. no idea why, the p.o. gave me the small ones when i bought it, and the big one i found in one of those magnetic spare key box things inside the rear bumper about a year later. may have just been a dealer replacement or something like that?
 
I think some years also had a plastic wallet key?

I have two sets. One I assume is original and one generic copy set.

This is what I have
IMG_4300.webp


That round key does lock the glovebox, which is interesting because my car is a black interior swap car. I can't remember if I swapped the cylinder over. Are the glove boxes keyed to the doors?
Yes, ok, yes is not accurate, it does not use all the cuts from the door lock, door key will open glove box but a key made from the glove box likely will have missing cuts which may not work on the door depending on what cuts are missing.
Clear as mud.
 
Not really. I don't know how many patterns ford had, but I have personally opened about 5 other C5 corvettes with the keys for mine... seemed like it worked 1/4 of the time. It wouldn't start their car, though. I'm guessing just about any door key will unlock your glove box.