I recently ordered some off ebay...........They were supposed to be the same. Close but not quite. Is it because mine is the oddball 97? The key I have now that fit, have the wide middle groove:


The ones I got are these, with a skinny middle groove:


Anyone care to guess WHY I have the wrong keys?

 

I just looked at the key to my 97 and it has the skinny groove.

 

Go to walmart and have them cut some. I think it will cost you 2-3.00 a key.

 

I've done that already. Just wanted some OEM keys for the truck. The PO had just 1 when he sold it to me and is a WalMart one.

 

Well if you really have to have oem then here you go.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Ram-Da...920503&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-DODGE-RAM-...8ed2ba&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1994-200...b02fc3&vxp=mtr

 

You missed the point of my first post........I HAVE 2 of those exact keys, brand new in my hot little hands RIGHT NOW!
I need to figure out how/why I have the wide slot keys (from the first picture) in my truck.

 

You said oem keys As in keys from dodge. The keys you have are not oem. They are aftermarket look alikes. The keys you bought from eBay are no different than the one your p.o got from Walmart. Now for the eBay keys. They are designed to work with many different style of dodge/Chrysler products. Even tho it looks different it should still work the same. If you are worried about it then send them back. Contacting your ebay seller will prob get you the answer as to why it has a wide slot in it.

 

the minimum wage worker at wal mart didn't see a difference between the two keys and called it good and the po didn't notice have you tried to see if the dodge key pictured will fit in the ignition

 

SOLVED!! I went to a locksmith and was informed that the key that I had when I got the truck (the one with the wide center groove) was a common (WRONG) replacement key for the Dakota and other Dodge/Chrysler products. It will fit and work in the truck but it IS NOT the proper key and is prone to breaking. The OEM key blanks (thin center groove) I got from ebay are the correct keys and the locksmith cut them for me no problem. Now I have the RIGHT keys for my truck. I will keep the Wal Mart specials for spares.