Key swich screw up

[RLDSL]

Well, I scored this nice steering column from a 97 I was GOING to put in my 92 but all teh instructions I found for getting the old lock out led me to drill right through the friggen gears in the column. It was being stubborn as all get out. I would have had better luck with a slide hammer as that was essentially how I fianlly got it out beating on the wedged in screwdriver with a sledge hammer.

Anyway, since that assembly is pooched, can I just mount an ignition switch from an older model or a generic ignition switch and toggel start on the dash somewhere, or do I risk a steering wheel interlock flopping down from somewhere and bitting me when I least expect it. The wheel rotates freely right now

THanks-------Robert

 

[itsacrazyasian]

you can see the drop down pin that locks the column you can remove that if you are worried about it dropping...

Whats wrong with your 92 column?

Got a pic of your 97 column? Im curious to see how bad it is.

 

[GenLightening]

I can see if my buddy still has the one I had to pick to unlock for him. Those locks are crazy easy to pick. He was really surprised when, while I was telling him how it's done, I had it out in a couple minutes.

 

[itsacrazyasian]

guess i was always too rough with mine then? I remember i got a tbird i bought from auction that was an impounded, no keys. 5.0 HO V8. Punch, big hammer. 3 hits against the release pin and out it came.

 

[RLDSL]

you can see the drop down pin that locks the column you can remove that if you are worried about it dropping...

Whats wrong with your 92 column?

Got a pic of your 97 column? Im curious to see how bad it is.

My 92 column the bearings in the head are shot. the PO must have been a 400 lb gorrilla who liked to use the wheel as a grab handle. It's so bad that he even bent the mounting brackets . Teh wheel flops all over the place.
The new column I picked up was teh first decent one I've ever seen at teh boneyard and it's nice and tight.
Here's a couple of pics, they aren't very good. I wound up drilling right through into the chamber where the gears are. The rack gear is still intact but the pinion gear was toast. Still not sure how this happened. I was stopping every mm or so and checking and I never saw anything but solid metal at teh bottom, I even dug around and poked at it and nothing flimsy poked through. It makes no sense, but when I whacked a screwdriver down in there I got it wedged in and then I was able to finally whack the works out with a hammer ( never could turn it like everyone says will happen ) but I had gone all the way through the gear somehow
Pictures stink, but its hard to get a shot down in there.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

My 92 column the bearings in the head are shot.

Are the column bearings not a replaceable item ??


As for the key-switch, I would leave a "dummy" in the column that did absolutely nothing except look like a key was needed.


I would relocate all the column-switch functions to big toggles and constant-duty solenoids where applicable.


I WOULD NOT utilize any key-switch.

What I would do is to use a combination of secret switches that, when all were flipped the right way, would allow the starter-button to have power and the engine to run.


I recently read in my antique 1962-copyright Mechanics-Illustrated do-it-yourself encyclopedia an article that described how to use three many-positioned rotary switches wired in such a way that the only way power made it through the series of switches was when each of the three were turned to the correct position; ingenious --- I thought.

Such a set-up would be more secure than any key-switch.

 

[RLDSL]

Are the column bearings not a replaceable item ??


As for the key-switch, I would leave a "dummy" in the column that did absolutely nothing except look like a key was needed.


I would relocate all the column-switch functions to big toggles and constant-duty solenoids where applicable.


I WOULD NOT utilize any key-switch.

What I would do is to use a combination of secret switches that, when all were flipped the right way, would allow the starter-button to have power and the engine to run.


I recently read in my antique 1962-copyright Mechanics-Illustrated do-it-yourself encyclopedia an article that described how to use three many-positioned rotary switches wired in such a way that the only way power made it through the series of switches was when each of the three were turned to the correct position; ingenious --- I thought.

Such a set-up would be more secure than any key-switch.

THere's a thought. Three toggles in a row all on off on switches wired randomly to get an ON before hitting the starter, maybe a start button out of an old style floor dimmer switch.. As it is, I leave the brownie in low range to foul theft attempts. If anyone stole thething they would get tired of going 15 mph real fast and abandon it within a few blocks

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

THere's a thought. Three toggles in a row all on off on switches wired randomly to get an ON before hitting the starter, maybe a start button out of an old style floor dimmer switch.. As it is, I leave the brownie in low range to foul theft attempts. If anyone stole thething they would get tired of going 15 mph real fast and abandon it within a few blocks

Turning the fuel OFF at the manual valves won't let them get far either. (Of course, if one forgets to turn the fuel back ON, he won't get very far either --- don't ask me how I know this. )


Besides the security switches that need be ON for the truck to run, it is always a good idea to also implement a power-kill switch ahead of or behind the starter push-button that must be ON for the starter-button to work; thus, some button-pushing child or nosey girl can't accidentally engage the starter.

A loud annoying buzzer, flashing lights, siren, or REVERSE alarm can be wired to power up whenever the starter-button preventer switch is energized so that one never forgets to turn the switch OFF as soon as the engine fires.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

While we are rewiring your circuits, we may as well add a few more surprises.

A few legitimate looking switches that turn ON piercing sirens, flashing lights, and poison gas could be installed that will alert you to any un-authorized tampering; these alarms could be incorporated in your combination-series double-throw toggles that you already mentioned, such that, if the correct combination of switch positions is not selected, all will break loose.


Remember that dummy switch-key thingy you are gonna leave in the column --- leave a key in it and wire it such that turning the key sets off the alarms.

 

[Fordsandguns]

Midnight I need to plan a trip just to visit you so we can rewire MY truck! You have some good ideas!

 

[SparkandFire]

While we are rewiring your circuits, we may as well add a few more surprises.

A few legitimate looking switches that turn ON piercing sirens, flashing lights, and poison gas could be installed that will alert you to any un-authorized tampering; these alarms could be incorporated in your combination-series double-throw toggles that you already mentioned, such that, if the correct combination of switch positions is not selected, all will break loose.


Remember that dummy switch-key thingy you are gonna leave in the column --- leave a key in it and wire it such that turning the key sets off the alarms.

Now there's a man with some friggin ideas!!! I always contemplated as a security measure having a hidden rotary switch or something similar to enable to power wire to the starter or the IP, put some dummy switches on the dash and label one "ignition," have that one discharge an ignition voltage transformer into strategically placed electrodes in the drivers seat (by the ******** region) and at the same time, set about four of these off... http://www.amazon.com/Hella-SuperTone-Horn-Kit-118/dp/B000CRZXPI

http://www.google.com/products/cata...&oe=UTF-8&cid=6299745394655393766&os=sellers#

 

[RLDSL]

Now there's a man with some friggin ideas!!! I always contemplated as a security measure having a hidden rotary switch or something similar to enable to power wire to the starter or the IP, put some dummy switches on the dash and label one "ignition," have that one discharge an ignition voltage transformer into strategically placed electrodes in the drivers seat (by the ******** region) and at the same time, set about four of these off... http://www.amazon.com/Hella-SuperTone-Horn-Kit-118/dp/B000CRZXPI

http://www.google.com/products/cata...&oe=UTF-8&cid=6299745394655393766&os=sellers#

Hey, I've already got a pair of these babies that I need to mount up on the roof. It would be easy enough to rig an air solenoid to feed them triggered off a trip switch. That would be one heck of an alarm..... Although I really like the electrified **** idea.... hmmmm
With my luck I'd hit a bad stretch of washboard road and the thing would short out and next thing you know the youn'uns would be asking 'daddy, why are you singing Oh Suzanna and how come yous keep a flinching'

 

[SparkandFire]

Hey, I've already got a pair of these babies that I need to mount up on the roof. It would be easy enough to rig an air solenoid to feed them triggered off a trip switch. That would be one heck of an alarm..... Although I really like the electrified **** idea.... hmmmm
With my luck I'd hit a bad stretch of washboard road and the thing would short out and next thing you know the youn'uns would be asking 'daddy, why are you singing Oh Suzanna and how come yous keep a flinching'