need help with column internals or shift linkage

[Mtrhd329]

I am  trying to make my truck work without keys.  I have the ignition side figured out, and the lock pin for the wheel removed.  Now I just need to figure out how to release the gear shift with out a key in or what locks it in place so it can be removed.  Anyone been into the column and know what locks the shifter in plce and how to disable it?

[Captkaos]

What year truck/column?

[VileZambonie]

There is a rack inside the column that moves when you rotate the ignition cylinder forward. Curious why you want to do all of this?

[Captkaos]

I am guessing he wants to put the switch on the dash. 

[Mtrhd329]

the column is from a 87 suburban and is in a 79 2wd.  I was wanting to do this so that I can not have to carry anything but my alarm keyfob.  Also I think it will be a little more secure my way.  Things have to be tripped in a certain order to start and if not then there are sirens hidden throughout the cab and outside to annoy intruder and others.  Just trying to be different.  Playing with an idea of having the getting into the car and disarming the alarm by tapping on the window in a special combo.  Still reading reviews on that module though.

Anyways...the part that rotates out of the way, can it be removed?  is there anything else that operates on this mechanism?  Im thinking this is part of the ignition switch actuator rack.  If so this cant be removed.  maybe filed down to not catch on the gear select part?

[zieg85]

Why don't you remove the tumblers out of the key switch or remove the key switch all together and put some sort of a plug in it.  Just a suggestion

[Mtrhd329]

I am trying to make it longer for the would be thief.  I want to keep the ignition switch in place but it doesnt need to be hooked to anything.  I am just wanting someone to go through all of the steps to try and steal the truck only to realize none of the factory stuff has power or will work.  S

So I can take out the ignition key part and get to what i need from there.  Will I need to go further?  Its pretty simple to get down that far.  Never been any further into the column but there cant be too much down past that besides the ignition switch which I am not going ot use anywho.  Is there anything else that needs to be removed while I am in there.  I took the column apart to take out the lock pin that engages that lock plate and thought I would be ok until I started it up and went to put it in gear.  Thanks for the help!!

[zieg85]

If you remove the tumbler (Key switch) the piece that the key switch meshes with is what unlocks the steering wheel and allows you to shift it.  Turn it to the on position and grind out the end of the key switch (female part) to allow the key switch to slide back in.  To me you are making it easy on a would be thief being able to put it is neutral and steer the truck.  Easy enough to hot wire it unless you chain the hood down.  Easier to tow it away for sure.  Then I guess you put a motion switch.  Then they kill the battery and get it later on.  I knew of a guy who had all this alarm stuff on his car, garage and he even chained it to eye bolts in the floor of his garage.  One day he came out to find his car put in forwards, he always had it backed in.  All the chains were on it.  It had a note on his windshield saying if I wanted it I would have taken it.  Good luck.

[Mtrhd329]

Ya I am pretty sure if they want it that they will take it.  i just want to make sure that when they are trying to take it that I will have enough time to get out to the truck and get a clean shot.  This will only be my weekend cruiser so I wont have to worry bout it too much.  I was thinking of getting the deal that allows you to take off your steering wheel.  Then I could leave that in the house when its not being driven. 

[VileZambonie]

I think it would be easier to move to a new neighborhood instead of hacking up your steering column 

[HAULIN IT]

Motorhead, I hate to sound negative & all but this is rather silly. If your truck is in "high demand" someone WILL TAKE IT IF THEY WANT IT! A guy with an auto-load wrecker & a 1/2" wrench can have your truck in 1 minute or less. If your truck is that valuable or truly means that much to you get a garage with a security system  for a start. Not to be a smart@ss, but what you would sincerely have to do to keep someone from taking your truck (motion sensors,hide the ignition switch,kill switch,wheel locks,locked chain around between the four wheels,fuel shut off...ect.,ect.) you would have to start an hour before you wanted to go somewhere just to make it ready for YOU to drive YOUR own truck. Then you get where your going & start your "shutdown ritual", another hour passes. Then when your getting tired of all doing all this (people watching you doing this,carrying the steering wheel in & out,ect.) & figure "I'm only going to be away for a minute" someone will break in or take it just because they figure something must be worth ALL of this trouble".  My two cents, get Insurance from a company that does Stated Replacement Value (not agreed value) policies & go to sleep & enjoy your truck when you want to. Lorne

[werewolfx13]

I agree..Yeah, its easy to hotwire one of these trucks, and ok, so you're making it complicated for a joy rider with a pair of wire strippers..You can do the same thing by using your stock ignition switch and running all your under dash ignition switch wiring in greenfield, if you're that paranoid about it. Somone who really wants it, is going to take it..nothing you can do will make it any harder for them, without making it significantly more difficult to start the truck yourself.

[Dragon]

If someone really wants your truck, the easiest way for them to take it is only a single step process, and they only add another step if you have an Alarm...

No Alarm, but a hassle to start= Tow Truck
Hassle to Start, and Alarm= Cut Battery Connections + Tow Truck

Either way, if they want your truck bad enough, they will find a way, and in most cases if you make it more of a challenge... Chances are more likely that your truck will be pretty trashed if you get it back, after they had to hassle with stealing it!

[Mtrhd329]

Ya true.  I ve seen a wrecker make off with a car rather quick.  I got an old cell phone under the dash with a hard wired charger so I can track the phone with the GPS.  Kinda ghetto but it works.  Its mainly for the joyriders round here.  Most of the stuff I put on is just to delay a hotwire.  I have good insurance on it.  Kinda just wanna be different. 

I dont think that I wanna go that far and grind on the column.  Ill let it sit that way for a little while and see what else I come up with.