Help with ignition switch removal !!

[LIVE RUST]

I'm currently receiving the arse whoopin of a life time trying to remove my instrument cluster. It appears the ignition switch needs to be removed and I can't quite figure it out. Need help before the mosquitoes come out. Thanks in advance. It's a 66.

[Anthony Fremont]

Put key in, turn to ACC position, push paperclip into the hole to push the little pin down. Turn key further to left while doing this and it should turn a little then the lock cylinder should slide right out. Now you can remove the "nut" that holds it in.

[LIVE RUST]

Thanks man! I'll try it tomorrow. The mosquitos have taken over the night.

[Anthony Fremont]

Originally Posted by LIVE RUST

Thanks man! I'll try it tomorrow. The mosquitos have taken over the night.

You couldn't possibly have a problem if they only come out at night. I'm from the midwest originally and I've never seen anything like the ones down here. They don't wait til the sun goes away, they attack in full sun it really sux. I just wipe myself down with the Cutter's or Deep Woods Off, that slows them down some. You usually get a few chances to swat them while they're looking for a place to land. Not far from here is a town called Clute, they're town motto is "Clute, where mosquitos are people too". Now they have a mosquito problem. Check this out:
http://www.mosquitofestival.com/

[LILRED66]

You don't need to remove the cylinder from the ignition to remove the ignition switch from the dash bezel. The chrome bezel nut secures the ignition switch to the dash bezel. If you plan to change out the tumbler and key you will have to have the original key and the paper clip trick to pull the tumbler, otherwise just do the "lefty loosy, right tighty" method and it will drop out the back of the bezel.

[LIVE RUST]

Paper clip worked. Thanks very much. This particular one did need the cylinder removed in order for the collar to come off and the switch to come out. I cant believe the trouble this dash disassembly gave me. I guess when things are in place for 42 years, they can get real stubborn. Celebrating the mosquito with a festival? What the hell is going on down there?

[hAetWagon]

I had no key for mine....so I actually had to drop the cluster out the bottom of the dash and had to grind the bezel off..lol

[joe231]

i'm with Tony on this one

[Fred T]

I remember spending a night in Orange Texas when I was a kid. Talk about skeeters. I figured about a dozen could have carried off my baby sister.

[NWD02]

I'm not having any luck removing it. Like a dummy, I put the new lock cylinder in a new ignition switch. I'm not seeing a pin to push in. Please help!

[NWD02]

disregard, finally got it... found to correct hole

[fast64chevy]

Originally Posted by hAetWagon

I had no key for mine....so I actually had to drop the cluster out the bottom of the dash and had to grind the bezel off..lol

Can you explain a little more about how you got yours loose?

I am in the same boat. I don't have a key for my truck and i'm trying to figure out how to get the instrument out of the dash. What all needs to be unhooked before it will come loose?

[LILRED66]

1. Pull the wiring plug from the light switch and remove the pull knob by pushing in the small buttom on the passenger side of the switch then unscrew the chrome bezel nut from the light switch and drop the light switch out the bottom.

2. Loosen the set screw on the wiper knob then remove the wiring plug from the back of the switch then unscrew the chrome dash bezel nut and drop the switch out the bottom.

3. Unscrew the choke knob by pulling the cable out a bit and grasping the shaft with a pair of needle-nose pliers then unscrew the chrome dash bezel nut and drop the choke cable assembly out the bottom.

4. Unscrew the chrome dash bezel nut from the ignition switch then remove the wiring plug from the switch and drop out the bottom.

5. Remove the wiring from the back of the lighter and unscrew the lighter socket from the back and pull the insert out the top.

6. Remove 4 screws from perimeter of dash bezel.

7. Tip the entire assembly forward at the top to allow access to the back of the dash assembly to allow removal of the speed-o-meter cable, oil capillary line and dash cluster wiring harness plugs.