looking for tips on Ignition switch replacement

[TDS-MN]

Hey All,

I've been working to replace the ignition switch on the '85 Pickup. Curious if anyone has any tips or things to watch out for? It's been tricky to get the switch lined up for the screws to hit their holes in the steering column. Would be easier if I had the column out of the truck, I'm sure, but that doesn't look like it's gonna happen, as the 2 nuts where it passes thru the firewall, are rusted beyond a point that I can remove them.

I'm curious if there is a special way to get the new switch and the little linkage bar that is operated by the key cylinder, all lined up properly? I've been setting the switch at what I would expect to be the 'key off' position, as it seems to have another setting for 'accessories' when the linkage bar is pulled one notch 'up' the column. By my understanding, the switch has another point for "run" (two notches down from accessories) and room to slide further to what I would assume is "start", but that doesn't have a true stop point for the slider inside the switch. Does that sound right to you all?

I'm a little worried that the actual switch is not my problem. I have plenty of power at interior lights, headlights, etc, but when I turn the key it has no effect on anything. My inital diagnosis was the switch, but first attempt after replacement was negative. So I was hoping to confirm that I did indeed do the replacement correctly, then I can continue my troubleshooting elsewhere.

By the way, would that be the 'hazzard' switch adjacent to the ignition switch on the side of the column? Has the lt green, yellow, brown wires like I would expect for lighting, but I couldn't find reference to that switch in my wiring diagrams anywhere. It was operated by a similar metal rod from up in the column, as the ignition switch was. Sadly, that rod fell out while I was working on re-attaching the ignition switch, and I'm hoping that is all it was, so I can rig up something in it's place, as I don't think I'm up to digging deeper into the steering column in effort to replace that properly, if I don't have to.

Yes, it was one of those days where I wished i wouldn't have even attempted to work on the truck. Was a very frustrating evening, which I likely could have avoided if I only could have removed the column completely. Oh well.