Glove box lock install. WRX latch swap

[Kids Heart]

Items used:
-Glove box with a lock from any 2008-current(2019) Subaru.
-Glove box lock cylinder key set. If you have a Subaru key that fits then get the used lock cylinder rekeyed to match.

Tools used:
-Philips head screwdriver
-needle nose plier
-oven mitts
-plastic safe superglue
-clamps


I Ordered a 2015 WRX glove box from eBay for $35. Any 2008+ Subaru with a locked latch this shape will do.


Open the box. If you pry it open along the seams it will damaged the plastic. Do not do that if you plan to use the box again. Instead bake at 250 degrees for 10 minutes and slowly peel with oven mitts on. If the glue doesn’t give put it back in for a few more minutes until the panels are separated.


Remove the two screws behind the latch, then separate the rocker arms with needle nose pliers and care.


Remove the latch from the used box.

https://i.imgur.com/zOUyxEs.mp4
Remove the lock cylinder from the latch.

Remove the BRZ/86 glove box from the car.


Bake and separate the BRZ/86 glove box with care. 250 degrees F for 10 minutes. Use oven mitts to peel the seams. Put back in the oven for a few minutes if the glue doesn’t give. Repeat until separated.

Remove the BRZ latch with Philips screwdriver and needle nose pliers to separate the rocker arms.

Attach the new lock latch to the BRZ rocker arms and screw back in to place.



Clean up the glue lines then apply plastic safe adhesive to the old glue lines. I used JB Weld super glue but I’m sure there are better options for car panels.

Carefully connect the panels, clamp them then let the glue dry.


Install the new lock cylinder and put the glove box back in car.

Shout out to tim35ct for the idea.

[Kids Heart]

Has anyone else tried this yet? curious.

[GrabTheWheel]

Originally Posted by Kids Heart

Has anyone else tried this yet? curious.

It’s cool and I like the idea but would it really keep someone out of your glovebox? I’d think you could just rip it open with like 10lbs of force.

[Kids Heart]

Originally Posted by GrabTheWheel

It’s cool and I like the idea but would it really keep someone out of your glovebox? I’d think you could just rip it open with like 10lbs of force.

Secure as much as any other stock glove box.

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by GrabTheWheel

It’s cool and I like the idea but would it really keep someone out of your glovebox? I’d think you could just rip it open with like 10lbs of force.

This guy seems to be struggling. A glove box lock isn't some high end safe, so it isn't like you want to store your grandmother's pearls in there because it won't stop a determined and skilled thief. It is mostly for a wallet or phone or whatever is of value that you must leave in your car for a few hours, and the glove box will prevent any meth-head who is doing a smash-and-grab from getting those items.

With that said, our vehicles have a much larger space for securing items, which is the trunk. If you push the lock button in the trunk then the only way to open the trunk is with the physical key using the lock. Someone couldn't get back there using either the interior push button or the exterior proximity button, nor could they fold down the rear seats from the interior and crawl back there to get the items.

[DarkPira7e]

This is a cool DIY for people who want a little added security.
From another perspective, perhaps you have friends that ride with you and you don't want them going through your glovebox while you're out of the car filling up on gas or taking a dump. Not necessarily to stop a thief who breaks into your car

[Luns]

Turn-key ignition BRZs use a Toyota key profile as do FR-S and 86, but the key cylinder in a Subaru glove lock would be for Subaru key profiles. Assuming the lock cylinder is properly warded, this means the glove box has to take a different key from the rest of the car.

Certain Toyotas use a glove box lock with what appears to be the same cylinder design though. The part number is 69056-0e100, and is used in 07-17 Camry, 09-12 RAV4, and 14-19 Highlander. If I'm reading the situation correctly, this lock cylinder should fit the WRX handle shown in this DIY and can be re-keyed to match your ignition key.

It may even be possible to use the handle from the Camry or Highlander, but I haven't confirmed this. The Camry definitely uses a similar mechanism, but the handle is a different shape and I don't know whether it fits.

Smart-key cars use a sidewinder key, and there may be an appropriate glove box cylinder in newer Toyotas (possibly 2018+ Camry and similar) or Lexus (about 03+), but not applying to me, I haven't researched this. Some key photos I've seen suggest the key insert uses a valet profile, which would be a dead-end.

[Luns]

Originally Posted by Luns

It may even be possible to use the handle from the Camry or Highlander, but I haven't confirmed this. The Camry definitely uses a similar mechanism, but the handle is a different shape and I don't know whether it fits.

I got a Camry handle. It's too narrow to use for our glove box, but aside from the handle size/shape, the basic design is identical to what's shown in this DIY. I also found the same design glove box handle on a Nissan Pathfinder; also too narrow.

One thing to beware of; the Subaru glove boxes with this style of handle actually have two different, incompatible lock cylinders. Identifying them literally boils down to whether the lock has a silver face or black face. The silver faced ones have a die-cast metal plug with a plated sheet metal face, while the black faced ones are a single plastic piece for the plug. The cylinders are slightly different diameter and aren't interchangeable.

The 09 Forester and 13 Outback that I checked out use the plastic lock face, and won't accept the Camry cylinder that I have. Given that Subaru has used both styles of lock cylinder, it's possible that Toyota also used the black cylinder in some years, but I haven't seen one yet.

The Camry glove box handles I've seen all have a silver face. The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder handle I checked out seemed to be identical in width to the Camry, but used a black cylinder instead.