Glove box lock

[bavariaboy]

Recently an 02 appeared on BaT with a glove box lock. The key was in the keyhole so it looked a little awkward. But without the key the chrome keyhole was rather interesting. And I believe they were a factory or dealer option. I am thinking of purchasing one for Lilli, my 76 2002. If anyone has photos I would appreciate having some. Might a part number exist? 

 

The story goes there is a factory drilled hole in the dash surface. I think I found it by reaching up inside the glove box. And there appears to be a piece of tape covering the inside of the hole.

 

Thanks,

 

Steve

[Pablo M]

I was wondering the same. I just bought a 72 tii and got a third type of key, a small key. Was told it was glovebox. Been preoccupied making it street legal to bother yet with that lol. 

[Mike Self]

Yep, this was an accessory item sold by dealers back in the day.  If you look up inside your glovebox at the underside of the dashboard, you'll see a round hole in the metal of the dash.  This is where the lock is supposed to go.  To install, you cut through the plastic/hardboard where the hole in the metal is located, and install the lock.  

 

I don't have my 1976 BMWCCA Tech Tips book handy, but if someone on the board does, there's a write- up about the accessory, and how a clever soul found a hardware store lock that did exactly the same thing for a lot less $$ (that was back when the lock was available as an official BMW accessory from the dealer). 

 

Actually, truth be told, they will keep the honest people out of your glovebox (sorta like locking a convertible) but the glovebox itself is flimsy enough that a medium sized screwdriver will pop it open, even when locked.  Then you have to find a replacement glovebox...

 

But an interesting accessory, nonetheless.

 

mike 

[zinz]

That's @Devilish_02 car...  Perhaps he can take some close-ups for you.

 

I have the BMWCCA Tech Tips book... I'll try to find the article Mike speaks about.

 

Ed

[Greg R aka Big_Lebowski]

I took a couple pics of Jake’s 02 at one of our Austin C&Cs.   
 

 

[John_in_VA]

It's just a cabinet lock, so you should be able to find one.  Someone interested in what is in your locked glovebox may ruin your dash to get a look!

[Henning]

Who doesn't want a 4th key may go to a locksmith to make the glove box lock mate to the trunk lock key. In my 73 auto it used to be like this.

And: a professional thief will check the box anyway. Lock or not and locked or not.

 

henn

 

[Devilish_02]

Nice photos @Greg R aka Big_Lebowski. The glove box won't stay shut on it's own so I thought it was something they did when the car was in Bogota. And no there was no large stash of powder or cash in there, although I am still looking. 

 

 @Mike Self cool to know it offered. The glovebox won't stay shut without it so I assumed it was something the previous owner did in Bogota. 

 

I agree with @Henning from a protection standpoint. I have an 02 4runner and discovered leaving the glove box unlocked causes less damage because locking makes them think there is something valuable in there and they go at the dash with a screwdriver or worse. 

 

@bavariaboy I do like the style of it though. I'll can send you pics when I am back in town if you like. If someone finds the write up Mike describes we can link them. 

 

LMK,

Jake

Edited November 23, 2022 by Devilish_02

[Pablo M]

3 hours ago, Greg R aka Big_Lebowski said:

I took a couple pics of Jake’s 02 at one of our Austin C&Cs.   
 

 

Strange. Mine definitely doesn’t have that lock on top side of dash. So my extra small key, with same patina as other original keys (ignition and trunk) is a mystery. 

[bavariaboy]

Devilish, would love to see more pics.

 

thanks

[AceAndrew]

@Pablo M Could be gas cap, of which there were a handful of types.  Post a picture of the key, and we may be able to help narrow it down.

[Mike Self]

2 hours ago, AceAndrew said:

 Could be gas cap, of which there were a handful of types.  

Bet that's what that extra little key is for...there were three different styles of factory accessory gas caps, and AFAIK they all used slightly different keys.  Not having ever seen a factory glovebox lock in person, I'm not sure what the key looks like, but do know it would be different from either the trunk or ignition key, as it would have  been bought as an accessory, just like a locking gas cap.

 

mike

[Pablo M]

6 hours ago, AceAndrew said:

@Pablo M Could be gas cap, of which there were a handful of types.  Post a picture of the key, and we may be able to help narrow it down.

 

3 hours ago, Mike Self said:

Bet that's what that extra little key is for...there were three different styles of factory accessory gas caps, and AFAIK they all used slightly different keys.  Not having ever seen a factory glovebox lock in person, I'm not sure what the key looks like, but do know it would be different from either the trunk or ignition key, as it would have  been bought as an accessory, just like a locking gas cap.

 

mike

I suspected it was for a locking gas cap, although I don’t have a locking cap and the cap I do have appears original, or at least showing some appropriate age. 
 

In this photo the pair above are the spare ignition key and small key in question. 
lower pair is original ignition key (that broke the other day) and trunk key. 

[Devilish_02]

@bavariaboy

 

Outside, looking in, and then looking up. The brand is Huf but probably doesn't matter. And that site looks like a rabbit hole for potential upgrades 😆

 

Lock sets | Huf Group

WWW.HUF-GROUP.COM

---

Huf is the global market leader for lock sets and offers the most secure car keys and lock cylinders to protect cars against theft.

 

[bavariaboy]

Thanks, Devilish. Headed down the rabbit hole now. Or is it the key hole?

 

Steve