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Hey guys, does anyone have any info on swapping out the key switch on a wagoneer? I purchased a 79 wagoneer from an older gentleman last weekend while visiting a friend at the lake. I planned on going back down with a trailer to pick it up this weekend, but he's apparently lost the key in the mean time. Poor guy called me very distraught and apologetic. I'm not that upset about it. But would like to change out the ignition switch with minimal damage. Any info will be much appreciated.
Hey there. I think you need the key to swap out the ignition. Do you have any other older chevy or Jeep keys? The tolerances on them is pretty lax and gets worse over time. My buddy derek lost his key on a trail run and someone elses FSJ key worked. It's worth a try.
Order a new key and lock barrel set. Remove steering wheel nut, use puller to remove wheel. Then you need a special compressor tool to remove the spring holding the lock plate. I think the tool cost me $15 at Autozone. Finally, you have to depress the spring loaded tab that holds the lock barrel in. Search "ignition lock cylinder removal" you'll find much more detailed instructions. It's fairly easy. I'm not sure if you need the key or not, the reason I replaced mine is my switch would turn without the key! You might be able to just stick a flat screwdriver in it and turn it.
mgbreis wrote:Order a new key and lock barrel set. Remove steering wheel nut, use puller to remove wheel. Then you need a special compressor tool to remove the spring holding the lock plate. I think the tool cost me $15 at Autozone. Finally, you have to depress the spring loaded tab that holds the lock barrel in. Search "ignition lock cylinder removal" you'll find much more detailed instructions. It's fairly easy. I'm not sure if you need the key or not, the reason I replaced mine is my switch would turn without the key! You might be able to just stick a flat screwdriver in it and turn it.
will e wrote:Hey there. I think you need the key to swap out the ignition. Do you have any other older chevy or Jeep keys? The tolerances on them is pretty lax and gets worse over time. My buddy derek lost his key on a trail run and someone elses FSJ key worked. It's worth a try.
I've got a 73 chevy campervan. Wouldn't surprise me if it worked. Worth a try.
IIRC, last fall when I had to remove my lock cylinder from my 77 Cherokee, I had to install the key, turn to the on position and depress a small tab under the lock cylinder, then pull it straight out. (after removing the steering wheel as explained above.)
curly
I start what I finish.
81 Wagoneer 4.2/auto
77 Cherokee S 360/Auto/QT
97 Jeep Wrangler
I agree with Curly. You have to turn the lock cylinder to the run position because there is a flat area there that allows the cylinder retainer tab to be depressed, which allows it to be removed. If you try to remove the cylinder without a key, you end up breaking the column housing lip. This will get the cylinder out, but the new one can be removed by hand. If you go this route, be sure to install a hidden kill switch/Battery cut-out.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation
When we bought Wyatt's 91 it didn't come with keys. The couple shady characters we bought it from broke the key off in the cylinder and mutilated the column trying to get it out. To start it you wedged a wood screw sideways into a crack in the cylinder and used it as a lever.
One day we were out in the woods and the damn cylinder seized in the column. We were not prepared for that! We scrounged around the tools we had and came up with a set of cone style easy-outs and a crescent wrench. We attacked the column with progressively larger easy outs and percussive maintenance until finally the outer casing around the cylinder gave way. From that point it was easy to start with some needle nose pliers. The replacement column from Jerry went in when we got home.
Nikkormat wrote:If you properly disassemble the column, which is pretty easy with a lock plate tool, the cylinder can be removed without damage and without the key.
I've had to do it to Wyatt's 91, my 90, an 86 J10, and a 75 Cherokee.
Look for tutorials on YouTube.
Also IIRC they changed the cylinder retaining system in 80. You may have a small black Torx screw to remove instead of a tab to depress.
Having some sacrificial feeler gauges can help with getting the tab depressed. Make sure you have some dentists picks too.
Worse comes to worse, you can use a cold chisel to remove the cylinder and replace the column later.
Correct. Pulled the steering wheel and the guts of the column and it slid right out with a flathead depressing the tab. Got it changed out and fired right up.
Thanks for all the replys guys. Changing the cylinder went smooth as butter. We were able to fire it up and cruise around the lake. It has a dry rotted tire and the brakes are weak so I opted to leave it at my buddies boat shop until next weekend. Didn't want to risk a two hour drive home.