Opening locked glovebox?

[sparky72]

Howdy folks! Happy to be a minty new member of Fordification. I’ve been lurking for a few weeks since I picked up a ‘72 F250, and have been working through some interior restoration things as well as electrical fixes. The wiring diagrams here have been AWESOME

Anyways, one of the things I’ve been scratching my head about is the glovebox. It’s locked, and the PO didn’t have a key I’m not sure how to get it open without one. Locksmith? Lockpick set from Amazon? I really don’t want to have to cut anything. This thing is in fairly good shape overall and I don’t want to start Bubba-ing things.

Anyone out there had to deal with this?? Any help is much appreciated!

[390FE1972]

I had a similar issue, I bought one at a junk yard as the locking glove box was an option. I took it to the best locksmith shop in town and they were able to make a key for it, they even had an original blank. I think this is your best option.

Regards

[sargentrs]

from Georgia! When you a chance, stop by the Welcome Mat, introduce yourself and tell us about your truck! http://www.fordification.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1
About your only other option is destroy your cardboard glove box liner from underneath and unscrew the locking bar, or the lock itself, from the dash or the glove box door. The regular glovebox liner is readily available for around $25 so no great loss. If you have underdash A/C, though, that's a different glove box liner and those are NOT available!

[sparky72]

Thanks guys. Good to know that it's not too tough to fix. I'll poke around under the glovebox cardboard and see what the condition is...it's possible that it's old and crumbly enough to just punch through it and replace it anyways

[basketcase0302]

Like Randy said. It's two tiny 1/4" or 5/16" hex head screws that hold the "strike" (to which the actual lock latches onto at the top of the opening).
Not real sure you could get a wrench onto the same size hex head screws on the bottom that hold the hinge side or not?
Here's the best image I could find of a 70' model year latch and hinge screw location to help.