how did he do that?

JDgreen227 · Apr 28, 2011

charlz said:
I once locked my keys in my company van at a customers location in CA. He had one of the slim-jim kits you could buy at the swap meets before they made the sale of such things illegal. This kit had an array of tools and a booklet to tell you which one to use and how to use it. I was back in my van about 30 seconds after walking up to it with the correct tool... and I had never done it before in my life. It was a real eye opener.

We honest guys should be grateful nobody ever managed to develop a slim-jim kit for ignition locks !!!!

Travelover · Apr 28, 2011

I was an engineer for a US automaker and each year we hired a British guy to look at all the new model prototypes and break into them every way he could. That guy could break into any door, hatch or hood in seconds, even after they had been "theft proofed". And he was careful not to do any damage. Someone with less finesse might have been even faster. Door locks are to keep out honest people.

Soundguy · Apr 28, 2011

all locks are to keep honest people out. i've yet to see a lock or latch that can hold up to an abrasive wheel or torch for very long.. with bat operated abrasive wheels, pony torch kits, and porta power expanding jaws.. a thief can get into your stuff in minutes if it's out of plain view where he can work with some tools for 5 minutes.

of course a rollbak helps too..

soundguy

slowzuki · Apr 28, 2011

Some cars that are hard to get into, become very easy with an air wedge and wire. The air wedge just gently opens a gap in the door frame to work through.

Soundguy · Apr 28, 2011

I had a ranger that had to be opened with an air wedge.. and yeah.. the lockout guy from ford ( where we had just bought the ranger.. THAT DAY.. came right out and was in in 5 minutes..

soundguy

nike · Apr 28, 2011

I had a GMC work van. I locked my self out of it, with it running (dont ask) in front of a high school. I was trying to figure a way in when a student came up to me and said he could be in the van in 30 seconds for $5.
It was raining and I figured what the heck, go ahead. He walked to the radio antenna and unscrewed it, wedged the window in front of the lock button and slipped the antenna in and pushed it straight down, The door opened.
Best $5. I ever spent.....

Soundguy · Apr 28, 2011

reminds me of when my wife locked my f450 diesel while it was running, right in the middle of the entrance to walmart tire and lube.. luckilly I keep a keybox on the frame..

soundguy

reelbig · Apr 28, 2011

ON STAR worked for me

SARG · Apr 28, 2011

The locksmith had a master key. Most of the pros have masters for all the different makes now.

If they don't the current practice is to wedge out the door or window frame with an air bladder & plastic wedges and use an inserted long flexible rod to open the door from the inside. That is how the police agencies do it now.

I rarely if ever see "slim jims" used anymore.

Exactly as shown in the video that Mossroad posted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5HeTeqscBQ

Jim in ICT · Apr 29, 2011

About 25 years ago, I had a locksmith make a key by looking in the window and counting the notches cut out of my door key hanging off of the ignition switch. Opened the door on the first try and charged me $30.00 for a service call. Took him all of 5 minutes.