Van lock Meroni UFO Classic

Van lock Meroni UFO Classic: external manual lock for commercial vehicles

Van lock Meroni UFO Classic: an external lock with one locking point and a removable cap, designed for the doors of your van or commercial vehicle. The manufacturer, Serrature Meroni S.p.A. (UFO Locks brand), presents it as “an icon in commercial vehicle security” and as “the ideal lock for those looking for a sturdy and functional external system”.

In addition, according to Meroni, its removable cap ensures versatile use that withstands the weather and external attacks. It is also manually operated: you put it on and take it off yourself with the key.

The Meroni UFO Classic van lock is fixed by drilling into the doors, and the manufacturer states an installation time of 25 minutes. If you need two, it is also available as a pack of 2 locks, as well as singly.

Benefits of the Meroni UFO Classic van lock

• Manual locking: you open and close it by turning the tubular key.
• Removable cap, for versatile use according to the manufacturer.
• Cap made of Zamak with galvanic nickel plating and a tubular key made of nickel-plated steel.
• Cylinder with 7 radial pins and 250,000 combinations.
• Anti-drill core in case-hardened steel.
• External mechanism with one locking point, designed, according to Meroni, to withstand the weather and external attacks.
• Installation in 25 minutes, with an official drilling template that you can print at 1:1 scale.

Is the Meroni UFO Classic van lock compatible with your van?

Meroni publishes the suggested fitting height of its UFO locks in its official fitting height guide, which is common to the whole UFO range, for the vehicles in the tables. In addition, the guide does not explicitly confirm compatibility, so use the table as a reference and, if your model is not listed, ask us before you buy.

According to the guide, the lock is fitted, on the one hand, on the rear doors, between the fixed door and the opening door, and, on the other hand, on the sliding side door, at its rear edge. However, it is not fitted on the front edge of the sliding side door, the one next to the cab.

In addition, you must meet a few requirements: fixing by drilling, a maximum misalignment of 2 mm between the two closed doors, spacer plates and all 12 fixing points. Close both doors and check whether they are aligned. When you use rivets, the sheet metal can be 2.5 mm thick at most.

On the six vehicles marked with an asterisk (*), Meroni does not measure from the floor but from another point on the bodywork that it shows in the drawing for each model: before drilling, check it in the official fitting height guide, available on the UFO Locks website.

Ford, Volkswagen, Fiat and Iveco

First, here are the suggested heights for the Ford, Volkswagen, Fiat and Iveco models, both on the rear doors and on the sliding side door.

As you can see, the height changes with the model and the year, so look up yours before you mark the holes.

Mercedes, Renault and Citroën

In addition, the guide lists the fitting heights for Mercedes, Renault and Citroën, with several generations of Kangoo, Master and Trafic.

For example, on the Kangoo from 2020, the Master from 2024 and the Trafic, the measurement is not taken from the floor but from another point on the door that Meroni indicates.

Opel, Peugeot, Dacia, Nissan and Kia

Finally, here are the suggested heights for Opel, Peugeot, Dacia, Nissan and Kia, also on the rear doors and the sliding side door.

So that completes the list of vehicles in the guide. If your van is not in the guide, ask us before you buy.

Technical specifications of the Meroni UFO Classic van lock

These are the specifications that the manufacturer publishes on its official website and also in its data sheet. This lets you compare the materials, the cylinder and the dimensions of the Meroni UFO Classic van lock with what you need.

As you can see, the UFO Classic combines a nickel-plated Zamak cap with a cylinder with 7 radial pins and an anti-drill core. If you want more fitting details, you will also find them in the following sections.

How the Meroni UFO Classic van lock works

To fit the cap, first turn the key clockwise: this opens its internal fixing system. Then place it over the two half-moons and close it by turning the key to the left (anticlockwise) as far as it will go; remove the key in the vertical position.

Using it comes down to these two steps with the key, because the lock is manual. The cap is also removable, as the manufacturer states.

Installing and fitting the Meroni UFO Classic van lock

Meroni publishes official fitting instructions. The manual uses an adhesive template to mark the holes; in addition, Meroni publishes an official drilling template that you can print at 1:1 scale for the rear and side doors. If you follow the steps in order, installation takes about 25 minutes according to the manufacturer.

Preparing the holes

Before anything else, clean the dirt off the door surface in the chosen area. Then place the adhesive template in the centre of the two doors and mark the holes with a hammer and a centre punch. For the best fixing, Meroni prefers fitting with bolts and nuts, at a minimum of 4 points per side.

Then drill Ø5 mm holes at the marked positions. After that, to prevent rust, Meroni recommends applying zinc phosphate anti-rust paint to the holes.

If the shape of the doors does not allow fitting with bolts and nuts, drill Ø6 mm holes to fit with rivets. Even so, whenever possible, the manufacturer prefers bolts and nuts.

Fitting the half-moons

Before fitting, check the alignment of the two closed doors: there can be a maximum gap of 2 mm between them. Always use two spacer plates. If the misalignment is greater than 2 mm, add one or two extra plates on the deeper side.

Then fix the two half-moons together with the side protection plates, and the spacer plates if needed, with the bolts, nuts and washers. Use an Allen key and then check that the bolts are tight. Use all 12 fixing points.

Keep in mind that, on some vehicles, tightening the bolts can deform the door sheet metal, so do not overtighten.

Fixing with rivets

Rivets are only suitable for thin sheet metal, 2.5 mm at most. Before fitting the rivets, check that after drilling there are no burrs sticking out or in at the edge of the holes. Then place the rivets in the drilled holes, only in the side holes, as shown in the drawing in the manual.

Finally, secure the rivets with a special rivet nut tool, which is not supplied. Use an M4 threaded insert and check that the rivet nut is held firmly, following the sequence the manufacturer shows.

What is included with the Meroni UFO Classic van lock

The Meroni UFO Classic van lock is sold in two formats. So, before you start fitting it, you should know what each one includes and what you have to get separately.

Therefore, if you fit with bolts and nuts you do not need the rivet tool, whereas with rivets you will have to get it separately, as the manual states that it is not supplied.

Who is it for?

This external manual lock is designed for commercial vehicles, as Meroni states. If one of these profiles fits you, the Meroni UFO Classic van lock may interest you:

• Professionals and self-employed people with a delivery van.
• Companies with fleets of commercial vehicles.
• Tradespeople who keep tools in the van.
• Anyone who needs to protect the rear doors or the sliding side door.
• Anyone looking for an external lock with a removable cap and manual locking.

Also, if you are unsure between the single lock and the pack of 2 locks, whose two locks open with the same key, think about how many doors you want to protect: the pair of rear doors (one lock between the fixed door and the opening door) and, if you wish, the sliding side door. For more options, see our external anti-theft locks and the Meroni Serrature locks.

Frequently asked questions

Which vans are in the height guide for the Meroni UFO Classic van lock?

Meroni publishes the suggested fitting height of its UFO locks for Ford, Volkswagen, Fiat, Iveco, Mercedes, Renault, Citroën, Opel, Peugeot, Dacia, Nissan and Kia vehicles, as you can see in the tables on this page. As the guide does not explicitly confirm compatibility, look up your model and year in the table and, if it is not listed, ask us before you buy.

Can it be fitted to the sliding side door?

Yes, because the official fitting height guide states that it is fitted at the rear edge of the sliding side door. However, the front edge, the one next to the cab, is not a valid position. On the rear doors, it goes between the fixed door and the opening door.

What if the doors of my van do not line up?

Meroni allows a maximum misalignment of 2 mm between the two doors when they are closed. If the misalignment is greater, you must add one or two extra spacer plates on the deeper side, in addition to the two plates that are always used. In addition, the manufacturer warns you not to overtighten the bolts, because on some vehicles the sheet metal can deform.

Do the two locks in the pack open with the same key?

Yes, because the pack of 2 locks has two UFO Classic locks that open with the same key, in addition to 3 tubular keys. The single lock, on the other hand, includes 2 tubular keys. So you can protect several doors on your van with a single key.

How long does it take to install and what tools do I need?

If you follow the manual, Meroni states an installation time of 25 minutes. You need a hammer and a centre punch for marking, a Ø5 mm drill bit (or Ø6 mm if you use rivets) and an Allen key. If you fit with rivets, you also need a rivet nut tool, which is not supplied. In addition, the drilling template can be printed at 1:1 scale.