The 65 Barracuda I just purchased has a partial key broken off in the trunk lock. I've tried everything to manipulate it to open without success. Could someone post a picture of the release mechanism inside the trunk that releases the trunk back to fold down. I'm thinking maybe I can access it some way through the rear speaker opening over on the side and lower it. I'm trying not to drill the lock. A picture or any other ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks
How to get into the trunk of a 65 Barracuda????
- Thread starter Hopeto
- Start date
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Welcome to FABO. Sounds like you're in a pickle. I'm sure someone has been there before and can help out.
The only real way to lower the security panel that you see from inside is release the two latches on the inside of the trunk. You’ll need to somehow get the broken key out or be able to turn what’s left to open the trunk
grr8_65
Well-Known Member
Try to get the broken key out. Take a paper clip, straighten it out and put a bend at the very tip. Put the paper clip into the lock as far as you can. Now try to extract the broken key part using the bent at the end of the paper clip like a pick. Some rust remover/ lubricant might help.
This is an unusual question but may help others.
In the case of the similar 73-76 Duster/Dart Sport models with fold down rear seat, there is a pair of vertical slide latches accessible from the trunk side. These are similar to a residential door handle/latch. Maybe you can slide a screwdriver against the latch from the the interior side and get it to slide open. Maybe have a friend next to you to pry the other latch? (Someone who is small enough to lay beside you)
In the case of the similar 73-76 Duster/Dart Sport models with fold down rear seat, there is a pair of vertical slide latches accessible from the trunk side. These are similar to a residential door handle/latch. Maybe you can slide a screwdriver against the latch from the the interior side and get it to slide open. Maybe have a friend next to you to pry the other latch? (Someone who is small enough to lay beside you)
I guess you could bust the security panel; it’s made of plywood. Should you do that i’ve Got a complete panel with the latches and feet that you see when you open the trunk.
Or cut a hole.... reach through to unlatch the panel.....
jos51700
Green Bearing thread connoisseur
Pop a body plug out of the trunk floor or spare tire well. If you're lucky, You have enough access (I.e. spare tire mia) to reach in with something to trip the lock from the inside.
If you're not lucky, you get five gallons of rusty water in the face.
Fyi electric lock releases from m bodies, diplomat/5th ave, should fit that car.
If there's a split/gap between/above/under the rear seats you may be able to guide a REALLY long flat blade screwdriver or equivalent between the seats and engage the latch that way. Try pulling the lower seat bun first.
If you're not lucky, you get five gallons of rusty water in the face.
Fyi electric lock releases from m bodies, diplomat/5th ave, should fit that car.
If there's a split/gap between/above/under the rear seats you may be able to guide a REALLY long flat blade screwdriver or equivalent between the seats and engage the latch that way. Try pulling the lower seat bun first.
Take carpet off first.
If you are speaking of the speaker grille on passenger side, its a intake for defroster. Photo from trunk side.
The motor is behind the grille.
If you are speaking of the speaker grille on passenger side, its a intake for defroster. Photo from trunk side.
The motor is behind the grille.
The aforementioned plug in spare tire well. The latch and the catch.
If there is no spare,you may be in luck. Long extension and remove bolts from trunk lid. Easiest by far.
For security panel, a couple putty knives 10” in from each side may release latches. But i doubt it
If there is no spare,you may be in luck. Long extension and remove bolts from trunk lid. Easiest by far.
For security panel, a couple putty knives 10” in from each side may release latches. But i doubt it
Thanks for the ideas. LOL, sorry for being a newbie to Barracuda's. I thought this was a speaker cover. There was nothing behind it. Is this the correct cover? I had removed the body plug under the spare and yep there is a spare in the way. BTW, the car is a Formula S 4 speed that has been stored inside for around 30 years. Last stickered in 85. Any pictures of the latches on the back board?
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Was going to take a picture, but opted not to. The latch springs are pretty stiff and its tough to get at. Popping the plug in the trunk will be the easiest. Trying to break the back panel is not an option unless you are willing to swing a sledge hammer. Or cut it. Im guessing 5/8” plywood. Guys like to cut speaker holes in them,which mine has,i will take pictures tomorrow if you want.
Easiest way , least damage and repair to drill through keyhole eventually using regular screwdriver to enter.
If you dont mind getting new keyset. Id start with 3/16 then 1/4"" bit. Dont go too far. Cause youll melt turning mechanism regardless.
IMHO.
Dave
If you dont mind getting new keyset. Id start with 3/16 then 1/4"" bit. Dont go too far. Cause youll melt turning mechanism regardless.
IMHO.
Dave
From the pics you posted it looks like a nice Formula S. Welcome to FABO and hopefully you'll get that trunk key out.
Yeah, that 273 and 4 speed setup looks like a great package.
I stuck my cell phone around the corner of the intake opening and shot this pick of the latches. I was able to reach the passenger side latch with a screwdriver and unlatch. One side down and one to go. Now to figure out what to use to reach the other side and see if I can set up a mirror to see it. Wish me luck.
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If you only had a bore scope. Then you could see the latch and poke a bar through loop.
How about a web camera and a laptop? Or a pair of iphones and facetime?
jos51700
Green Bearing thread connoisseur
Try dropping a flashlight or cell phone behind there, whilst powered up. It's better if it has really expensive non rechargeable batteries, though. Make sure it's irretrievable.
Won't help you one damn bit, but it must be required for every job like this that I have to do, because it happens to me every time.
Won't help you one damn bit, but it must be required for every job like this that I have to do, because it happens to me every time.
LOL, you should have seen the rubber bands I had around my hand and cell phone when I took that picture.
Ok, you've seen one latch. There is another one most likely equidistant from the other edge. I'd try a putty knife jimmied up into the gap angled in to catch the anhked part of the pawl. Or put some sort of thin pry bar into the gap and pry the top of the plywood panel down toward the trunk floor. It may only be engaged by an eighth inch of so.
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Myself, the plug in the spare tire well is about 2-1/2” so gives room to see up to the bolts. Straight up easy. Like 10 minutes.
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I'm going to try the going through the plug this evening. I pulled the rear plug the other day and there is a spare in the car. It didn't feel secure so I may be able to push it up out of the way. I ran out of time last night. In my wildest dream the Goodyear Blue Streak is still the spare. LOL
I wasn't able to move the spare out of the way through the body plug openings. But still we have SUCCESS!! Well, close. The tool I made is a 22" screwdriver stuffed into a piece of PVC shown in pic 1. I was able to go through the intake for the rear ventilation and blindly keep poking around with the long screwdriver till I popped the left side release. I still haven't been able to get the mechanism to release the latch so I unbolted it from the deck lid. No dead bodies, no Blue Streak spare but lots and lots of mouse poop and nests they had made out of some old material left in the trunk. Had I mentioned how bad it stinks. LOL
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