'73 Thing ignition switch tech

There are 20 images here so be patient as they load. The procedure for removing the '73 Thing ignition switch is different than the '74 in several ways. First the steering wheel is held in place with a 27mm nut instead of the 24mm used in '74. The main difference however is that the mechanical and electrical portions can be removed as an assembly separate from the ignition switch housing. This makes the disassembly much easier than on a '74 model as you don't have to remove the housing from the column.

Please note that if you want to change the electrical portion then you should leave the lock cylinder in the ignition assembly, insert the key and rotate to the first detent. This will retract the steering lock lug and allow the ignition switch assembly to be removed from the steering column.


The ignition switch disassembly starts by removing the steering wheel.	The first step is to pop the horn panel free from the steering wheel.

After popping the panel loose turn it 90 degrees and pull out.	Disconnect the horn wire from the panel.

Remove the steering wheel nut and washer and remove the wheel.	Remove the 4 screws holding the switches onto the housing.

Remove the washer fluid hoses from the wiper switch.	Pull off the 3 wiring plugs from the switches.

Plug the washer fluid feed line with a suitable object like a small Phillips screwdriver.	Carefully slide the switches out of the housing.

Pry off the rubber trim ring.	Remove the cylinder cover trim.

The following 4 images only need to be followed if you are replacing just the mechanical portion of the ignition switch:

This is the cylinder release hole.	Press a small diameter tool like an allen wrench into the hole.

Remove the lock cylinder while pressing the tool into the hole...	...and here is the cylinder.

The following images only need to be followed if you are replacing the electrical portion of the ignition switch. Note the position of the key in the image below. It should be rotated to the first detent in order to retract the locking lug and allow the ignition assembly to be removed:

Insert the ignition key and rotate clockwise to the first detent, thus retracting the ignition switch locking lug.	Slide the ignition assembly out of the housing.

Remove this small slotted screw...	...and out comes the electrical switch.