Ignition switch upgrade

[hey mister]

78 Big 10.
When I got this truck, my son-in-law enlightened me as to how easy it is to punch out these ignition switches. Then nothing more than a large flat blade screwdriver is used as the key.
Well buggers! That just won't do. I need at least a few seconds to rack a round. So a new ignition switch was ordered. Borrowed the steering wheel puller and dove in. In the manuals it showed some models with a cross bolt to make the said "switch punching" a bit more of a challenge. Perfect. This might be the few seconds we be lookin' for.
The nice thing is the steering column is a die cast allow. (i.e. easy to drill and tap)
After packing gauze in all the possible nooks and crannys for chips to hide in, a precise guess-timated location of the cross bolt was selected and center punched and the drilling commenced, followed by a vigerous tapping. Then the shop vac cleaned up.
The cylinder came with a notch so the cross bolt could pass thru. I used a long 10-24 set screw as the cross bolt and dabbed the threads with clear fingernail polish to keep it in place, yet removable if need be.
Now they may still be able to gut the switch, but the flat blade screw driver is useless and the steering wheel lock pin can not be accessed. That's all the time I need.

 

[Ricko1966]

A screwdriver in the key and tumblers isn't the usual method of stealing these trucks. They smack the column with a hammer then pull the rod that works the ignition switch. Less than 10 seconds is all it takes.This is so common that they make collars to go around the column to prevent this. I'll see if I can find a pic brb. This is so common look how many ebay vendors are selling the repair pieces.

1984-1994 GM C10 C1500 K1500 2500350TILT STEERING COLUMN HOUSING COLLAR REPAIR | eBay

new kit with free shipping

www.ebay.com

Far right pic is a column guard it's made out of stamped steel so they can't just smack it with a hammer and shatter it.

 

[fast 99]

Splice into either ignition power or S starter wire then add a hidden switch.

 

[hey mister]

I thought about a hidden switch or a battery cut-out.
Just haven't figured out which one or where.
And the keyless options are just about as easy to hack as the stock column.

 

[fast 99]

I thought about a hidden switch or a battery cut-out.
Just haven't figured out which one or where.
And the keyless options are just about as easy to hack as the stock column.

Could do that but using a low amp circuit is easter. Splice access is on steering column, short wire run. Of course everything will need to be hidden. Thieves for the most part are not very smart. Kids on a joy ride or meth users. Did see a SB stripped to the bare frame once but don't think that is common.

 

[Ricko1966]

I still think an instant on alarm,no lights,no stickers,leave the doors unlocked. Open the door,SURPRISE everyone around knows you're in the truck. And no windows get broken,and no columns get broken. Problem with hidden kill switches is they've already broken into the truck and broken the column,ignition switch,whatever,before they find out it won't start.

 

[fast 99]

I still think an instant on alarm,no lights,no stickers,leave the doors unlocked. Open the door,SURPRISE everyone around knows you're in the truck. And no windows get broken,and no columns get broken. Problem with hidden kill switches is they've already broken into the truck and broken the column,ignition switch,whatever,before they find out it won't start.

Good point could do both.

Owned an 89 Maxima stolen from work. Although rudimentary it had an audible alarm, didn't slow them down. However, this group was more of a professional nature. Borrowed the car to make a drug run to Idaho. Reason I know that is the police got in a chase the next week in a different stolen car running drugs. Had video of them stealing my car. Guy had on the same coat in the news video.

I got the car back later same day undamaged. Only difference was millage driven and they apparently didn't like my music. Had a different CD in the player.

 

[YakkoWarner]

A screwdriver in the key and tumblers isn't the usual method of stealing these trucks. They smack the column with a hammer then pull the rod that works the ignition switch. Less than 10 seconds is all it takes.This is so common that they make collars to go around the column to prevent this. I'll see if I can find a pic brb. This is so common look how many ebay vendors are selling the repair pieces.

1984-1994 GM C10 C1500 K1500 2500350TILT STEERING COLUMN HOUSING COLLAR REPAIR | eBay

new kit with free shipping

www.ebay.com

Far right pic is a column guard it's made out of stamped steel so they can't just smack it with a hammer and shatter it.

My Suburban has a similar version of this (installed by previous owner) and overall I think its a good idea. I had an aqquaintance who had a similar year Suburban stolen, they pawned all his tools, picked up strippers and then intentionally punched it into a tree or pole completely totalling it. Of course they were not required to actually pay for it, which I think is totally wrong.

The downside is that now I need to disassemble the column to tighten the commonly occuring loose tilt mechanism bolts, and whatever that anti-theft collar is made out of has destroyed most of a complete set of Kobalt drill bits with little more than a small dimple to show for it. I am going to have to remove the whole column (and if I can find one possibly just replace it - preferrably one without the tilt and its automatically loosening bolts) or get positively medieval on it with either a SawzAll or angle grinder. I don't want to do that kind of brute-force cutting with it in the truck with sparks and filings going everywhere.

I'd like to retain or replace the anti-theft collar, but I'd like to find one that has some way to be unlocked and removed when necessary to work on the column. The one on my current column seems to be held on with some sort of hardened pins driven into blind holes, very good for keeping those with ill intent from removing it but equally effective at making the column effective disposable when those tilt mechanism bolts work loose.

 

[Ricko1966]

My Suburban has a similar version of this (installed by previous owner) and overall I think its a good idea. I had an aqquaintance who had a similar year Suburban stolen, they pawned all his tools, picked up strippers and then intentionally punched it into a tree or pole completely totalling it. Of course they were not required to actually pay for it, which I think is totally wrong.

The downside is that now I need to disassemble the column to tighten the commonly occuring loose tilt mechanism bolts, and whatever that anti-theft collar is made out of has destroyed most of a complete set of Kobalt drill bits with little more than a small dimple to show for it. I am going to have to remove the whole column (and if I can find one possibly just replace it - preferrably one without the tilt and its automatically loosening bolts) or get positively medieval on it with either a SawzAll or angle grinder. I don't want to do that kind of brute-force cutting with it in the truck with sparks and filings going everywhere.

I'd like to retain or replace the anti-theft collar, but I'd like to find one that has some way to be unlocked and removed when necessary to work on the column. The one on my current column seems to be held on with some sort of hardened pins driven into blind holes, very good for keeping those with ill intent from removing it but equally effective at making the column effective disposable when those tilt mechanism bolts work loose.

They make them that unlock and also cover the key and tumblers, I just think locking the thing on every night would get to be a hassle. I would think you could grind axcess holes,not drill but die grind,and drive the pins out and reuse yours. JB weld over your access holes and paint when done.

 

[YakkoWarner]

They make them that unlock and also cover the key and tumblers, I just think locking the thing on every night would get to be a hassle. I would think you could grind axcess holes,not drill but die grind,and drive the pins out and reuse yours. JB weld over your access holes and paint when done.

I'm going to get more involved with it if and when I can get the column out, it will be a lot easier out on the bench. Its a lower priority right now though since I need to be able to reliably drive the truck before worrying about someone stealing it...