perhaps if you replace it with something like this... http://www.realtruck.com/productline...ate_locks.html

with the lock covered by the handle it may not get all messed up this winter.

 

thanks for all the help guys, just took a little patience and some wd 40 ( i have used pb blaster in the past and i do think it works better but i didn't feel like going out and buying some since i already had wd40) i got the thing to finally work again works great now...first i couldn't get the key in...sprayed wd40 about 15 times in there and a few lighty taps to the lock and i was able to work the key in, then a few more sprays and the key started turning the lock. So now i can feel a little better leaving my truck un attended with tools in the back.