If you're like most people, one of the nicer thing you find about newer cars is that they usually only need one key and/or fob to do everything for your car or truck. Less keys, less junk swinging from the ignition, or sticking you in the leg while in your pocket.
This trick only will work on G-bodies from 1979, and 83-86 cars that used a "B" series oval key for everything but the ignition lock. It also will take a bit of work, but the possibility is there. I've seen people do a lot more work for less.
First, you have to obtain a COPO Fleet GM ignition switch, p/n 7843294. Briggs and Stratton (strattec) number 608361. This over-the-counter switch p/n is the newer style switch that uses the retainer bolt in the column (OEM factory used the 1978 style switch in 1979, although the newer screw-retained switch fits for field replacement). This is the only ignition switch I've found that uses an oval key to operate. So far, I've only found them to have "B" keys, so that's why I said those years. Of course, you can always swap over the entire car with a "B" keyway lock set for glovebox, doors, and trunk and be just fine. Other than the oval key, it's the exact same as the other ignition switches. It was used originally in some 79 through mid 80's GM vehicles. Why? God only knows. I suspect they could be fleet use where one key does it all for company vehicles and have one key for each vehicle to keep up with, but that's just a guess.
The only real PITA about it is that you'd have to get the ignition switch with the oval key, then you'd have to have all the other locks re-coded to match. Is it worth it? I dunno. I don't need to do it, but just throwing this out there in case anyone wants to go through all that just to be able to use one key for everything.
There's ANOTHER way you could do it, although it would be a bit tougher. Briggs made some universal unrestricted lock cylinders that you could use any key in and get the same result. So say, if you have a C ignition key, you could use your C square key in any other lock and make it work. Again, this means you get the ignition switch key and then match code the other unrestricted locks installed and coded like your ignition key. It's harder because the unrestricted cylinders are much harder to find nowadays.
I wouldn't expect anyone to actually go through all that crap for their locks, but just know that it's an option if you chose to want to tackle something like this and as long as you could find the 7843294 ignition switch locks. It would definitely be rather unique.
This trick only will work on G-bodies from 1979, and 83-86 cars that used a "B" series oval key for everything but the ignition lock. It also will take a bit of work, but the possibility is there. I've seen people do a lot more work for less.
First, you have to obtain a COPO Fleet GM ignition switch, p/n 7843294. Briggs and Stratton (strattec) number 608361. This over-the-counter switch p/n is the newer style switch that uses the retainer bolt in the column (OEM factory used the 1978 style switch in 1979, although the newer screw-retained switch fits for field replacement). This is the only ignition switch I've found that uses an oval key to operate. So far, I've only found them to have "B" keys, so that's why I said those years. Of course, you can always swap over the entire car with a "B" keyway lock set for glovebox, doors, and trunk and be just fine. Other than the oval key, it's the exact same as the other ignition switches. It was used originally in some 79 through mid 80's GM vehicles. Why? God only knows. I suspect they could be fleet use where one key does it all for company vehicles and have one key for each vehicle to keep up with, but that's just a guess.
The only real PITA about it is that you'd have to get the ignition switch with the oval key, then you'd have to have all the other locks re-coded to match. Is it worth it? I dunno. I don't need to do it, but just throwing this out there in case anyone wants to go through all that just to be able to use one key for everything.
There's ANOTHER way you could do it, although it would be a bit tougher. Briggs made some universal unrestricted lock cylinders that you could use any key in and get the same result. So say, if you have a C ignition key, you could use your C square key in any other lock and make it work. Again, this means you get the ignition switch key and then match code the other unrestricted locks installed and coded like your ignition key. It's harder because the unrestricted cylinders are much harder to find nowadays.
I wouldn't expect anyone to actually go through all that crap for their locks, but just know that it's an option if you chose to want to tackle something like this and as long as you could find the 7843294 ignition switch locks. It would definitely be rather unique.
