5 replies to this topic

[Juan Pineda]

So my '99 F350 dually was stolen last weekend in San Francisco. I figured it was long gone and hauling pot by now, either up in Mendocino or down in Mexico. But the police recovered in SF today. The thieves were relatively polite and did the minimal amount of damage leaving me the radio and brake controller. Actually the real crime was the $429 charged by the tow lot after the truck was there less than an hour!

In any event, I'm trying to figure out how to fix the ignition. The thieves seem to have pulled the entire lock cylinder out with a slide hammer. I think this is the part they pulled out:

> http://www.sears.com...u=SPM2146635203

The guy at the tow lot was really nice and helped me get it started. We found this circular ring on the floor that we reinserted into the hole where the cylinder was. Then we used a pair of needle nose pliers to rotate that thing and start the engine. My question is: can I just get a replacement cylinder and throw it in there to get it to work? Seems like there is a locking pin involved. Or is the steering column typically damaged by the slide hammer method? Is it just a matter of sliding that replacement cylinder in there?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
-Juan

[Ron Alan]

Bummer Juan! Try Car-parts.com to see if a local yard has the whole ignition and a key. Maybe the gov. needs to look into the "Big Tow Yard" profits...those places(yes I'm stereotyping) are criminal IMO. Just curious, if you have theft on your insurance do they consider that fee in the damage/recovery process? Oh...and the classic fix all...duct tape!

[Juan Pineda]

So the worst part of it is now realize how little security that truck has. The door lock cylinder is mounted in a plastic surround. So the plastic gave way really easily when they wailed on the door cylinder. The ignition cylinder appears to be held in place by a little pin. The good news is that those parts are relatively inexpensive to replace.

I didn't insure the truck for damage. My theory is that if I can afford to replace it, I'm better off insuring it myself. My experience has been that when I put in an insurance claim my rates go up enough that they recover all the money they paid out anyway. Another scam!

-Juan

[wheel]

Don't insure it, protect it with the trunk monkey.

[Cy Peake]

Discreet ignition or batt kill switch? Jar of bees under the seat!

[Dirt Surfer]

I usually contact the dealership's parts dept with the VIN and ask them to fax or just pick up an exploded view of the steering column, then I just order the parts I need orrrrrrrrr you could maybe take it to a locksmith instead they could probably fix it for you with out the added labor cost of using the dealership, hope this helps, glad you got you truck back did you turn in the tow bill to your indurance company?