I recently bought a used 2003 Ford Ranger pickup truck, and got only one key with it. I asked the Ford dealer about getting a duplicate key, and was told the cost was $130, as there was a chip inside that had to be programmed.

Is there any alternative, or a more ecomomical way to do it? They told me the system could not be bypassed. Any help appreciated.

You CAN make a key but it will not have the remote entry options that the normal key may have.

If you don't care about that but just want a second spare key in case of problems, go to a local hardware store or Walmart (or similar store) and have one made.

If you can get new one made by a Specialist locksmith (not the ones attached to Walmart) then this article will save you the Ford programming cost of $50
www.fordf150.net/howto/patskey.php