ignition questions

[kanuck]

I just bought an 1984 3/4 ton LB and it has sat for a year because the ignition was screwed. Has a tilt column and the key turns, but no contact.
Questions are can I get the ignition cylinder out easy? or what year columns fit or are cylinders the same between years. Truck was a good runner before the ignition problem with a rebuilt engine, rebuilt 700r4 and rebuilt rear end and parked because of the ignition and price of fuel to drive as the lady who owned it for the last 8 years said. She spent $4000 on it in the last 5 years and then sold for $400 when she had to move. Rusty but lots of parts to build my short box.