hey all, just picked up a 81 f100 with a 3 on the tree a few days ago, and well, to say the least the ignition switch isnt there, but i found a way to somewhat bypass it, theres a bar that the ignition is suppose to operate, and since the ignition is gone, it moves freely with some pliars, but absolutely nothing happens when u push it into the start position, so it will only start up if u have 1 person hold the bar in the start position, and have another person jump the solenoid, i tried just jumping the solenoid with the bar in the on position, but its as if the coil isnt getting any power and it will just crank, so any easy fix to this? i could make a jumper on the solenoid with a button and run it inside the cab so i dont need 2 people to start it, but I would still like your guy's ideas!

 

That rod goes into the switch that is bolted to the top of the column.
The switch has slots so it can be adjusted and this maybe why it will not start with the rod?
Try adjusting the switch to see if that will work.
Dave ----

 

The parts stores sell ignition tumblers with a new set of keys to go with it. Once you get that part solved you can figure out if you have a neutral safety on the clutch or not. They say the early trucks didn't have them, but the red/blue wire is the one that gets power in the start position and runs out to the solenoid.

 

Here is a 1981 diagram. It shows no neutral safety, just the red/blue going straight from the ignition switch to the solenoid.

 

Thank's guys, I may have found the problem, for some reason the solenoid only has 3 posts, which all other ford solenoids I have seen have 4 posts, and there are 2 cut wires, so I'm gonna grab a solenoid off of another one of my trucks and try it and see if the fixes it.

 

You can see in the diagram above you only need 3 posts, two large and one small. You can use a 4 post but you will not have anything to hook up to the 4th post. It's not used in your year truck.