HELP! How does the ignition switch come out?
 

I got the cab entirely stripped tonight, getting ready to take it to the sandblasters next week.

I can't get that #^@*)(! ignition switch out! I started unscrewing the outer chrome bezel, and the switch kept getting looser. Now the bezel just turns with just a tiny bit of friction, but nothing is coming apart.

WTF??? :banghead:

key cylinder has to come out first.put key in acc. position and stick a paper clip in the little hole and depress the pin and turn the cylinder to the left to the left.
its not as simple as it sounds. sometimes its a matter of luck...

I can only depress the plunger with the key "off". This ignition never did turn to the left from the off position. So, I can depress it with the key "off", but when I turn it to the right, the paper clip slips off the plunger. I tried to depress it then turn the key left, but it doesn't move.

I replaced mine about a year ago, I remember it was tricky but can't remember exactly how the key was supposed to be turned when the pin was pushed in.

I know I looked up this http://www.woodyg.com/fairlane/howto...ionswitch.html

and tried to follow it.

In my 67 cab the switch had to be in the off position to depress the release button, then I just wiggled the lock cylinder out. It did take a couple of times and a few chioce words though!

Still no luck. I can only depress the plunger in the off position. I have tried using a pick just inside the keyhole to pull the cylinder out, but it seems solid in there. I have also tried it with the key in the cylinder, then using the hook to pull, but still nothing.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut the damn dash to get this thing out!

I took the air hammer to mine and eventually it released its 35 year grip. It sure made a mess of the ignition switch but it didn't make a mark on the dash.

How did you do that? Did you just punch it straight out the back, or use it to cut it out?

My 72 had a key broken off in it. I drilled out the pin hole, then drilled right into the key location, and bam!!! It popped out with force. I had to replace it anyway, so I did not care about recking it, just wanted to save the dash. The new one was a little tricky to put in as well, as I remember. I suggest replacing the 68 style with a reproduction 72 style that has the ACC setting.

I used the air hammer method, cause I actually did plan on replacing this one with an ACC unit. About a dozen blows and BLAMMO! She blew right out the back side!

Thanks all!