Ignition Switch Replacement
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: New Albany, MS
Ignition Switch Replacement
I bought a 78 f150 not too terribly long ago, and the truck had been sitting in the same spot for 9 years, the PO did not have the keys, is there a sneaky way to get the ignition tumbler out with out a key? Or is picking the lock or replacing the whole switch the only answer. Thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
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From: South west Idaho
Can you hot wire it and drive it to a lock smith ?
Or use a body panel dent remover to pop the cylinder out ?
Once the cylinder is out , you can remove the retainer ring and remove the switch. Throw it away and replace the complete unit. P.S save the retainer ring to reuse as the new one won't have one.
Or use a body panel dent remover to pop the cylinder out ?
Once the cylinder is out , you can remove the retainer ring and remove the switch. Throw it away and replace the complete unit. P.S save the retainer ring to reuse as the new one won't have one.
Last edited by jim collins; Oct 25, 2010 at 06:00 PM. Reason: added more
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Can you hot wire it and drive it to a lock smith ?
Or use a body panel dent remover to pop the cylinder out ?
Once the cylinder is out , you can remove the retainer ring and remove the switch. Throw it away and replace the complete unit. P.S save the retainer ring to reuse as the new one won't have one.
Or use a body panel dent remover to pop the cylinder out ?
Once the cylinder is out , you can remove the retainer ring and remove the switch. Throw it away and replace the complete unit. P.S save the retainer ring to reuse as the new one won't have one.
An older locksmith or a Ford dealer that's been arounda while might have some master keys to get the tumbler out, or make you set of new keys. Just take the ignition switch and one of the door locks with out.
Josh
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
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From: South west Idaho
You can remove the entire switch without removing the inner tumbler.
An older locksmith or a Ford dealer that's been arounda while might have some master keys to get the tumbler out, or make you set of new keys. Just take the ignition switch and one of the door locks with out.
Josh
An older locksmith or a Ford dealer that's been arounda while might have some master keys to get the tumbler out, or make you set of new keys. Just take the ignition switch and one of the door locks with out.
Josh
I was using the information that ' STEPONIT ' provided and made some alternative suggestions to do it .I DID SAY TAKE IT TO A LOCKSMITH. But there is allways somebody that that can't make a suggestion unless they point out that somebody else may be wrong.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
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On a 78 the bezel/collar screws on to the switch and without first removing the tumbler, it won't come off.
unforunately the locksmith has to come to the switch,not the other way around
Try gathering up all the Ford keys you can find, one of them may work in the lock
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/rep...00c1528004bb07
unforunately the locksmith has to come to the switch,not the other way around
Try gathering up all the Ford keys you can find, one of them may work in the lock
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/rep...00c1528004bb07
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
I changed mine out about 2 weeks ago and did it like the autozone instructions show. I was replacing the complete unit as it had a short in it and wanted the use the key and matching locks from another parts truck so I would only need the one key. I never saw any other way to remove it with out doing damage other than poping the cylinder if the key was missing. Those are good instructions. JIM
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
I hope it works out okay, I'm allways a little concerned about using junkyard electrical anything. A new complete unit is only about $25.00 or $30.00 , less chance in getting an electrical short ,fire maybe. Good luck .
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