OEM built-in center console lock... Who Knew? (I certainly didn't know)

[21st Century Truck]

Folks,

While trying to install the DIY double-nickel spring stiffener mod on the center console "desk" today, I took a good look at the pivoting armrest / desk surface.

On its front lip where the push-to-open console box latch is, I saw a mysterious slot. Could it be? YES it is! it's a built-in OEM 90 degree lock for the center console

I pulled out my fob key, which I have also matched to my spare wheel lock, and voila!
See the two pix.

This 90 degree lock works by blocking the push-to-open front latch.

Now I don't need to buy the console safe.

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[RickLightning]

Correct.

That said, a prybar and 30 seconds and they're in.

 

[21st Century Truck]

That is true. Likewise a grinder battery tool can cut open a door, and a hammer and a blanket can reasonably quietly bust a window.

I'm sharing info about a likely little-known lock inside our cab (that btw we had all already paid for), and not advocating for any Ford lock's absolute security.

 

[flyct]

That is true. Likewise a grinder battery tool can cut open a door, and a hammer and a blanket can reasonably quietly bust a window.

I'm sharing info about a likely little-known lock inside our cab (that btw we had all already paid for), and not advocating for any Ford lock's absolute security.

@21st Century Truck

Thank you for posting this valuable find! After owning multiple Ford trucks, I I never knew that there was a factory lock for a Ford center console.

Since I never carry a key or key fob with me I still like the Console Safe for storing my spare key fob in a Faraday bag and my "personal protection" device lockup up.

My primary "key" is my iPhone.
The secondary means of unlocking the truck door is the door keypad.
The 3rd option for opening the door is my Apple Watch.

Having a programmed Key Fob in the locked Console safe allows my to drive the car if the phone doesn't work.

The passcode is the final option to start and drive the truck.

 

[21st Century Truck]

@21st Century Truck

Thank you for posting this valuable find! After owning multiple Ford trucks, I I never knew that there was a factory lock for a Ford center console.

Since I never carry a key or key fob with me I still like the Console Safe for storing my spare key fob in a Faraday bag and my "personal protection" device lockup up.

My primary "key" is my iPhone.
The secondary means of unlocking the truck door is the door keypad.
The 3rd option for opening the door is my Apple Watch.

Having a programmed Key Fob in the locked Console safe allows my to drive the car if the phone doesn't work.

The passcode is the final option to start and drive the truck.

Yeah I love the door keypad, unfortunately now deleted for the 2025 models as reported here.

More to the point... so do the teenagers and the preteens who often travel with me to campgrounds and parks in the Summer. They all just LOVE the keypad... access to the frunk and to the cabin at the beach, at trailheads and at camp, without asking me for the (expensive) spare fob or messing with their phones especially when the connectivity is bad in remote spots. It was the same with the Mach E.

IMHO Ford should have instead of deleting the built-in keypad, put it on BOTH front doors.

 

[K6CCC]

On its front lip where the push-to-open console box latch is, I saw a mysterious slot. Could it be? YES it is! it's a built-in OEM 90 degree lock the center console

Well thanks! I had not noticed that. Not exactly high security, but on par with a standard glove compartment lock.

Since I never carry a key or key fob with me

I'm just the opposite. I always carry the fob, but it just stays in my pocket. Just grab the door handle to unlock and open the door. If I needed to use the door keypad, I would have to look up the combination in my password manager (yes, it's there along with what buttons to press for various functions).

 

[flyct]

Well thanks! I had not noticed that. Not exactly high security, but on par with a standard glove compartment lock.



I'm just the opposite. I always carry the fob, but it just stays in my pocket. Just grab the door handle to unlock and open the door. If I needed to use the door keypad, I would have to look up the combination in my password manager (yes, it's there along with what buttons to press for various functions).

I immediately add the same personal 5 digit door code on every Ford keypad. I use the 1st 5 numbers of my Social Security number. So far I haven’t forgotten it. In 2 years I’ll be 80 years old so who knows if I will remember it then.

 

[flyct]

Yeah I love the door keypad, unfortunately now deleted for the 2025 models as reported here.

Fir medel year 2025 they deleted the door keypad as a standard feature but it is still available as a dealer installed option. They did the same thing for the spare tire. They made it an option.

 

[21st Century Truck]

Fir medel year 2025 they deleted the door keypad as a standard feature but it is still available as a dealer installed option. They did the same thing for the spare tire. They made it an option.

I understand the function is available as an option although with a different physical system, some sort of an applique solution onto an already built B Pillar.

 

[flyct]

I understand the function is available as an option although with a different physical system, some sort of an applique solution onto an already built B Pillar.

Interesting. I assumed it would be the same setup, hardware and user interface as 2024 and before.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Interesting. I assumed it would be the same setup, hardware and user interface as 2024 and before.

It's really quite crazy. Tim Bartz did a video a couple of months ago of the dealer-installed keypads at his dealership. Supposed to be on the door, centered above the handle. But they were all over the place!

 

[flyct]

I understand the function is available as an option although with a different physical system, some sort of an applique solution onto an already built B Pillar.

i just looked up

It's really quite crazy. Tim Bartz did a video a couple of months ago of the dealer-installed keypads at his dealership. Supposed to be on the door, centered above the handle. But they were all over the place!

Well I just looked it up on the price list. It is still called SecureCode. It is dealer installed and the price is $455. It may be the same setup as the 2024. Door panel needs to be disassembled and a new B Pillar and keypad are needed to be installed. $455 seems like a likely cost to do it at a dealership. KYD has a local Ft Lauderdale shop install an OEM keypad on his 2025 Superduty for $500. Wire harness was there already.


Tim Bartz video said the Lariat and Platinum can get a wired Securecode keypad but XLT and Flash are wireless and possible its only a stick on on the XLT and Flash.

 

[abcut973]

Yes key lock for the center console has been there for years. I had it on my 2018 F150 diesel truck as well. So I was not surprised to see it in the lightning

 

[bmwhitetx]

Tim Bartz video said the Lariat and Platinum can get a wired Securecode keypad but XLT and Flash are wireless and possible its only a stick on on the XLT and Flash.

It’s good they still have the b pillar one as an option. The video I saw was the stick on kind that they were putting on ICE F-150’s. It was one of his lot walk videos. (I think those are member only or I would share it).

 

[Robert1380]

Correct.

That said, a prybar and 30 seconds and they're in.

Yep. Wouldn’t take much to pop that thing open. Probably could do it with a large screwdriver.

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