Gas tank cap/cover removal?

[Tor-King]

Hi everyone!
I just recently acquired an '86 gas tank.  Unfortunately, the gas tank is locked shut with no key.  I have a replacement gas cap with key, I just need to remove the old one.  Any ideas on how to tackle this?
Thanks in advance,
Dean

[rktmanfj]

A locksmith should be able to open the cap easily.

[fj1289]

There is one allen bolt you have to remove from under the cap - so you will need to open the cap somehow - locksmith, flat head screwdriver (break the lock pins), or drill thru the cap where the bolt is and unbolt it, or ...

[Mark Olson]

Try the key you have now in the gas cap ... most of the same year fj keys will open gas caps from different owners, but not ignitions. ya just gotta give it a wiggle with a twist. 

[rktmanfj]

Try the key you have now in the gas cap ... most of the same year fj keys will open gas caps from different owners, but not ignitions. ya just gotta give it a wiggle with a twist. 

Very true.

The key from my new ignition switch opens my gas cap and seat latch.

[Tor-King]

Thanks everyone.
I just thought that there would be another way. I saw on Youtube people drilling the lock and it seemed to have worked?... I was just wondering if anyone else ran into a similar situation.  I don't like to rush into things until I have exhausted all avenues.  I tried the key method but to no avail.  I guess I will be taking the tank down to a locksmith...
Thanks!

[FJmonkey]

Thanks everyone.
I just thought that there would be another way. I saw on Youtube people drilling the lock and it seemed to have worked?... I was just wondering if anyone else ran into a similar situation.  I don't like to rush into things until I have exhausted all avenues.  I tried the key method but to no avail.  I guess I will be taking the tank down to a locksmith...
Thanks!

Bring your key and new cap so they can key it as well.

[rktmanfj]

Thanks everyone.
I just thought that there would be another way. I saw on Youtube people drilling the lock and it seemed to have worked?... I was just wondering if anyone else ran into a similar situation.  I don't like to rush into things until I have exhausted all avenues.  I tried the key method but to no avail.  I guess I will be taking the tank down to a locksmith...
Thanks!

I have drilled one in the past successfully, but it was one I was 100% sure I would never want to reuse. 

[fj1289]

Thanks everyone.
I just thought that there would be another way. I saw on Youtube people drilling the lock and it seemed to have worked?... I was just wondering if anyone else ran into a similar situation.  I don't like to rush into things until I have exhausted all avenues.  I tried the key method but to no avail.  I guess I will be taking the tank down to a locksmith...
Thanks!

Anothermethod ofdesfroying the lock cylinder gas been mentioned-- drilling is a slightly less brute force way to destroy the lock cylinder in order to get it open than the screw driver method.