What do I need to add a push button start? 1985 c10

[dhughins]

I've searched and see that people are gonna beat me up on not doing this cause it's easier to steal. That's not a big concern for me.

I am having problems with the ignition mechanism and thought I could add a toggle switch for ignition and a push button for starter. Do any of y'all know an easy way to do this?

The current mechanism is sticking when I try to start and sometimes won't turn off engine when I turn key back. I assume it has something to do with the rod, but I know nothing about the ignition system.

Do I have to worry about neutral safety switch or the steering wheel lock if I decide to wire a toggle and push button?

[MalibuSSwagon]

Sure, it would be easy. Wouldn't be very secure

[Orion88]

To make it more theft proof you could splice in a switch that goes to the positive terminal of your battery. Whenever you leave your truck just flip the switch, opening up the circuit. As long as you hide it well most thieves would be too stupid to figure it out. Some even have a piece you can take with you, so unless you have the piece there's no way to start it. Just don't lose it! Haha

[dhughins]

I'm not worried about security I wanna be able to start the truck reliably. It's a 2nd vehicle/project that I may or May not keep. I don't have any $$$ for a project right now. (2 kids, wife, 2 jobs that's life). I do not wanna take all the steering column apart. If I decide to keep the truck and make it worth some $ then I'll figure out the security aspect of it. I have insurance on it and it isn't worth more than 5000$ right now. Where I live I've been leaving my keys in my daily driver for years. I'd be more worried about them stealing stuff out of it than taking the whole truck.

So has anyone done this easily? Any idea what wires go where?

[MalibuSSwagon]

I understand leaving the keys in your vehicle at home, I live out in the sticks too.

However, what about when you go places?

Honestly, if you don't have the time to rebuild the column, find a good used steering column with key and replace it. You'll spend just as much time replacing the column as you would hacking up the wiring. And I wouldn't pay much for a vehicle with questionable ignition wiring.

[LynnJr]

Most auto parts outlets sell a trigger that allows a mechanic to bump the motor over without keys.You can simply add extra wire to it and you are all set.
If you don't have the $15 bucks handy you can run two wires through the firewall and lay them on the dash.Touch rthe two wires until it starts then separate them so the starter doesn't accidentally engage

One wire goes to the terminal with the battery cable on it so get a large solderless crimp on for that one.
Next use a regular crimp on for the terminal closest to the fender.
You want to use plenty of wire ties so nothing hits the exhaust and you want what is called a momentary start switch.Get one with a rating of 25 amps or more.
You can take the steering wheel off and drill bust off or disable the steering lock so no worries there.
If the truck is not wanting to shut off the rod running down the outside of the steering column might be binding up somewhere.
The key rotates which turns a small gear which pulls a weird shaped hook which pulls on a rod.The rod simply runs down the steering column were it is connected to a plastic pull switch which is mounted on the bottom outside of the steering column with two screws.You can adjust the position of that switch by loosening those two screws and sliding the switch to a new place.What happens is over time things wear and you have to really crank on the key to get rid of all that slop or simply move the switch lower.
Craziest piece of over engineering on the planet.

[slammed427]

For the amount of time you'll spend rigging up a push button and toggle switch, you could probably fix the issue properly. It's only a few bolts to to drop the column, disconnect the plug to the switch, change the switch. They're 20-25 bucks at Oreilly's. The sticking is more than likely from that switch. All said and done, the first time I did it, it took me an hour. I'd say fix it properly.

[Malo83]

Look for the foot switch that they used in the old 50's Chevy trucks, my neighbors old truck had it

[Keith Seymore]

I usually use a Moroso "bump" switch for the pushbutton start, one wire to the starter and one wire to B+.

I've done three so far (Chevelle, Grand Prix and my Cub LoBoy).

But- I leave the key cylinder as is, so that you turn the key to the "on" position, hit the button and away you go. Turn the key off to shut everything down.

I've found the spot formerly owned by the cigarette lighter is a good place to mount the button.

K

[dhughins]

I was thinking of leaving the key part in there and turn it on that way but theotherdayi turn it backwards and the truck stayed running. It's catching when I go to start, I believe it's where that rod goes down to but other than that I haven't looked at it anymore.

Had a small health issue come up and can't do anything right now. Maybe I'll look at it in a couple of weeks.

Thx y'all.