I keep a coat hanger in the back bumper.  It takes a few minutes to get into
a 90 vanagon that way.  Not as easy as a slim jim, but workable, and never
locked inside....  :)
tx,
bmc  :)
"Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."

> From: Chris Mills <scmills@TNTECH.EDU>
> Reply-To: Chris Mills <scmills@TNTECH.EDU>
> Date: Wed, 4 Sep 2002 13:26:16 -0500
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: locked out
>
> Buy thee a slim-jim when you get a chance. One of the local FLAPS (Advance
> Auto) sells a foldup version. I bought a long version at a tool store once.
> I have used it on 5 cars, never my own - mostly friends' cars.
>
> When you learn how to do it, you can get into a car in seconds (not all
> cars mind you).
>
> I was a Navy MP where we did several unlocks per day. I could do my Beetle
> without like a slim Jim - even a long bread knife in 10 seconds. I locked
> the keys inside while it was running once. Duh!
>
> I learned I could not do a BMW 3 series EVER. Worked on one for a Captain
> for half an hour. Another fellow walked up and unlocked the car door with
> HIS BMW key (both had worn locks). A few days later I discovered I could
> unlock my buddy's Vanagon with my '72 Beetle key and he could start my Beetle.
>
> Was "trained" by one fellow on an 80's Escort (US spec car) that was a 5
> door. He managed to pop the control rods off of ALL of the doors before he
> gave up... That was an aggravated owner... <grin!>
>
> Buy the slim-jim and take off the door panel. Watch what you do to the
> latches - you are trying to pull the lock plunger rod up or on Fords move
> the inside handle to the open position.
>
> Lastly you can try to manipulate the rod that on many vehicles connects the
> exterior key lock to unlock the latch.
>
> Good luck and try not to lock that slim-Jim inside your car. I prefer the
> key on a magnet to keep myself from getting locked out when I am away from
> home. I reserve the slim-Jim to help myself with the other car or friends.
>
>
> Chris M. <"Busbodger" of "TEAM SLOWPOKE">
> Cookeville, Tennessee
>
> ICQ# 5944649
> scm9985@tntech.edu
>
> '78 VW Westfalia (67 HP -> that is...67 Hamster Power)
> '65 Beetle - Type IV powered
> '99 CR-V AWD station wagon
> '81 CB900 Custom moto-chickle
> 2.5 Corvair engines for my Trans-vair Conversion
>