Classic Saab 900 Finally Gets Remote Locking – J&K Saabwerx Builds the Kit Nobody Else Would

Jon and Kyle are not a company in the traditional sense. They are two Saab enthusiasts based in Henderson, Nevada, who decided that the Classic 900 deserved a remote locking system – and that if nobody had built a proper one in forty years, they would build it themselves.

The result is a plug-and-play remote locking kit designed specifically for Classic Saab 900 models from approximately 1982 onward that were originally equipped with factory central locking.

The kit was introduced through an installation video by Bruce, who runs the BWORX YouTube channel and fitted the system to his own Classic 900 Turbo – the dark gray car he calls the Vader 900.

The install is documented in full, including the parts that required improvisation. In his own description of the video, Bruce put it simply: “Remote locks??? I didn’t even know this was possible on old cars. Game changer.”

What J&K Saabwerx Actually Built

The kit ships as a complete package. Inside the box: a new control module that replaces the factory central locking unit, a replacement door actuator, a purpose-built wiring harness, two switchblade-style key fobs with Saab branding – preprogrammed and loaded with uncut key blanks – an LED lock indicator, turn signal flash wiring, mounting hardware, a weatherproof actuator seal, and an alcohol swab for surface prep. Everything required for installation is included. Tools are the only addition.

The control unit is designed to connect directly to the existing Saab wiring without cutting into the harness. The connector housings that make this possible are reproductions of an original Saab part that has been out of production for years. They were recreated specifically for this application by Modern Classic Saab – a collaboration that reflects how the Classic 900 supply chain actually functions in 2026: one specialist building on the work of another.

The actuator mounts on the same bracket as the original, using the same two 7mm bolts. The new control unit sits on the factory air duct on adhesive Velcro, antenna wire hanging straight down for maximum range. No permanent modifications are required. The system can be removed and the car returned to its original configuration.

How the Installation Actually Works

Bruce’s video walks through the full process on a 1988 car. The sequence begins at the driver’s door: door panel removal via lock knob, interior handle screw, decorative panel, Torx fasteners along the top and base of the panel. With the panel off, the original actuator comes out on its bracket, the new unit goes on, and the door reassembles. This portion of the install is straightforward.

The cabin work is more involved. The center console comes out first – rubber shifter bellows, ashtray, a 10mm bolt at the console front, Torx screws along the sides and base. Under the console, the carpet cubby lifts out. Then the knee bolster, the lower dash panel, requires removing a center bolt and two 10mm hex bolts accessible from inside the engine bay near the hood pin guides. With the knee bolster out, the factory central locking module is visible on top of the main air duct running across the passenger side.

The old unit unplugs and comes off its bracket. The new module plugs in via the reproduced connectors, sticks to the duct on Velcro, and the core installation is complete. For the optional LED indicator, a small hole is drilled near the instrument cluster. For turn signal flash confirmation, the harness taps into the indicator wiring at the steering column – a simple procedure using the supplied connectors, with a note that wire configurations may vary slightly between model years.

Bruce confirmed during testing that the system locked and unlocked both doors and the trunk simultaneously through the factory central locking rods, exactly as the mechanical key would. The remote range was confirmed working from a normal approach distance.

The Key Fob – and What to Do With the Blank

Each kit includes two fobs. The key blanks inside are uncut and need to be duplicated from the owner’s existing key. Any hardware store with a key-cutting machine can do this; Bruce had it done for under ten dollars per key. A few shops were initially reluctant – some assumed the fob contained a chip and suspected theft – but the process is uncomplicated once the cutter understands what they’re looking at.

The switchblade mechanism is a practical choice for a Classic 900. The folding key keeps the blade protected in a pocket, the fob form factor is familiar to anyone who has owned a car from the last twenty years, and the Saab logo on the housing is a detail that matters to owners of these cars more than it might to anyone else. It does not look like an afterthought.

How It Works With the Factory System – and Why That Matters

The Classic 900’s central locking is a mechanical network: rods, linkages, and a single master actuator in the driver’s door that distributes motion to the passenger door and trunk when the key turns. The J&K Saabwerx system does not replace this architecture. It triggers the same actuator electrically, from the remote,  J&K Saabwerx in place of the key.

This is the significant technical distinction between this kit and universal aftermarket remote locking systems. Universal systems typically add independent motors to each door – introducing additional failure points, requiring harness cuts, and producing locking behavior that doesn’t feel like the original. The J&K Saabwerx approach preserves every aspect of how the 900’s factory system was designed to work. The doors move through the same rods, at the same speed, with the same mechanical feel. The only change is what initiates the sequence.

Availability, Pricing, and How to Order

The initial production run is limited. The kit is priced at $160 direct from J&K Saabwerx, with free shipping within the continental United States. International shipping is available via UPS; pricing depends on destination and is quoted on request.

There is no eBay listing. Orders and inquiries go through the J&K Saabwerx Facebook page directly (their website is under construction). This is the standard operating model for small-batch Saab specialists – limited quantities, sold within the community, often gone before anyone outside the immediate circle notices. Anyone interested in the first batch should make contact early.

Jon and Kyle’s operation is focused specifically on the Classic 900 – the pre-1994, Swedish-platform car, not the GM-era NG 900 that followed. That distinction is not incidental. It shapes every decision they make about what to build and how to build it. The remote locking kit is the first product to reach wide community visibility, but it is not the first thing they have developed. Their Facebook page is the right place to follow what comes next.