IC Bus Rear-Engine Compartment Door Key

[Dbacks2k4]

I've had very little luck searching.... I have a 2005 IC RE300 which has a square-key to open the rear-engine compartment access doors. It appears to be about 7.5mm or so in size since both a 7mm and 1/4 allen key are too small and an 8mm and 3/8 are both too big). I saw another old thread on this site about finding a Crown or VW key but none of the product descriptions seem to quite match.

I asked a couple of truck-supply places in my area I frequently buy parts from and they had no idea. My local international dealer couldn't find what I was talking about in their parts catalog and want me to bring the bus in... for a fee. The common suggestion via Google of using of a socket ratchet doesn't work either, doesn't quite fit.

Any suggestions on what to search for to find a replacement? I'm getting by with a flat-head screwdriver but it takes a little finangling, and other individuals whom I sometimes need to access that compartment struggle more than just a little bit... would be easier with the proper key

I found a pry-bar at Harbor-freight that the handle almost matches up if I use an angle-grinder to cut off the end... but that's quite an ugly workaround - this really shouldn't be that difficult!

TIA

[okidasha]

I have the same square key to open. My bus had one in the clipboard compartment to the left of the driver seat under the armrest but I would say 90% of the time I just end up using a 3/8 flathead screwdriver. I think your idea of using a harbor freight pry bar ground down would also be a good solution. Good luck!

[magnakansas]

Have you checked with the places that sell school bus parts? This sounds like like just the kind of special stuff they sell.

william

[rossvtaylor]

It should be a 5/16th inch square and a key like this ought to be the right thing:

[Iceni John]

How about a stepped square-shank tool for toilet valve seats (I think)? They're in Home Despot / Lowes / Ace / etc for a few bucks.

I recently bought a VW engine door key to keep as a spare for my Crown, but it's smaller diameter (and shorter) than a genuine Crown key, so it doesn't work quite right in Crowns that use A.L.Hansen 46 compartment latches with a 5/16" square hole.

John

[Rock-N-Ruth]

Originally Posted by Dbacks2k4

I've had very little luck searching.... I have a 2005 IC RE300 which has a square-key to open the rear-engine compartment access doors. It appears to be about 7.5mm or so in size since both a 7mm and 1/4 allen key are too small and an 8mm and 3/8 are both too big). I saw another old thread on this site about finding a Crown or VW key but none of the product descriptions seem to quite match.

I asked a couple of truck-supply places in my area I frequently buy parts from and they had no idea. My local international dealer couldn't find what I was talking about in their parts catalog and want me to bring the bus in... for a fee. The common suggestion via Google of using of a socket ratchet doesn't work either, doesn't quite fit.

Any suggestions on what to search for to find a replacement? I'm getting by with a flat-head screwdriver but it takes a little finangling, and other individuals whom I sometimes need to access that compartment struggle more than just a little bit... would be easier with the proper key

I found a pry-bar at Harbor-freight that the handle almost matches up if I use an angle-grinder to cut off the end... but that's quite an ugly workaround - this really shouldn't be that difficult!

TIA

We have two International AMTRANS RE Busses. They have a door on either side of the engine bay. The door key is a square bar on a T handle. I only know this because one of the guys who did his roof raise here had such a key. Its not an international part. Its a bus chassis part. In our case we solved it by buying a three pack of gasket scrapers from Harbor freight. They look like a screw driver with a chisel end. I cut the end off of one and with a little grinding it fits perfectly. It has a nice screwdriver type handle and is easy to use.

we stick it to a magnet on the header above the dash so it is always easy to find.

[Dbacks2k4]

Wound up cutting off a couple of those pry bars. Gets the job done I guess!

[HamSkoolie]

Well I have a 96 AmTran with the square key. Was going to measure it tomorrow. A piece of square stock (tube or solid) should be all that was needed. Weld on a cross piece or bend a 90.
I want a bit more security for mine so I'll be looking at a way to lock those doors once I get the grills in for air breathing (pulling the high intakes for bedroom space inside) and see what's left to work with. Maybe a solenoid type lock, maybe some sort of key.

[elkoskoolie]

plus one on the toilet?? valve/key. I've had 2 Gilligs. True Value hardware in my little town had those keys in the plumbing aisle. Cheap and worked fine for all the bays. As I recall they have the square end, and a longer angles piece to use as a handle.

[HamSkoolie]

Measured the square "key" for my '96 AmTran and it's 5/16" square

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by HamSkoolie

Measured the square "key" for my '96 AmTran and it's 5/16" square

interesting.. same key as the battery box in my Superior Loadstar uses

[Mako]

I went on amazon and bought this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
works like a charm

[Dbacks2k4]

In case anyone in the future is searching....

The official name is "HANDLE, T ENGINE ACCESS DOOR"
and part number is 431186001

For that price I'll stick with my cut-off pry bar

[HamSkoolie]

Originally Posted by Dbacks2k4

In case anyone in the future is searching....

The official name is "HANDLE, T ENGINE ACCESS DOOR"
and part number is 431186001

For that price I'll stick with my cut-off pry bar

Awwww You can get an original (new) for just $29.99 on Flea bay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115146343192


I think I'd stick with the prybar too. LOL

[frostybeer]

I have an RE300, same issue. I found this was popular on air cooled vw bus styles in the 60's-70's. Search for "bus church key"

https://socalautoparts.com/product/c...RoCP-cQAvD_BwE

[frostybeer]

This is what you're looking for:

[Clouse House]

I just use anything that fits, a car key, screwdriver. I've even used a rock before.

[Dbacks2k4]

My $3-ish harbor freight pry bar with the tip cut off is still performing awesome to this day

[jjaj823]

I used a 5/16" shed handle from Lowe's. Works like a charm! I did always wonder what that thing was actually called...looks like I learned something new today!

Jeremy

[Miles O Roads]

These you can put in and lock,just found them in garage.