Need Help! Need to break lock cylinder! Or atleast get it in neutral

[ShortyzKustomz]

This is a little bit of a story, But I'll try to make it quick. I was recently given a 98 Explorer EB, By my wifes 90 year old grandfather. Its been sitting for 5 years and I finally just asked him about it. Something went wrong with it, He has very vague details about whats wrong with it. Worst case, I throw a motor in it. I need a more baby friendly daily (kid on the way). During the last 5 years and him moving once he has lost the keys. Once I get it out to my house I plan on replacing the lock cyl and taking care of pats.Then moving onto the other problems. But for now, I need to get it moved. Ive read tons of threads with all sorts of ideas on the best way to break the lock cyl loose.(As well as a ton of other things the last 2 weeks since I found this site) I dont want to destory anything Just want to get it to "ON" So I can get it in neutral and wheel unlocked, So I can get it on the rollback, And then once its in the on position, I can easily swap cylinders in my garage. So whats my best bet? Drill? Brute Force? Screwdriver? I have about a 25-35 min time period to try and get this movable after work before the rollback gets there (gotta pump up a tire too). Even if I could just find a way to get it in neutral for now I'd be happy. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks

 

[Turdle]

Looking up under the dash you will see where the transmission cable attaches to the shift rod -
Slide a large screwdriver in and pry it off the ball. Now you should be able to pull the transmission cable where you want it.

now for the steering---hmmm,

 

[ShortyzKustomz]

Looking up under the dash you will see where the transmission cable attaches to the shift rod -
Slide a large screwdriver in and pry it off the ball. Now you should be able to pull the transmission cable where you want it.

now for the steering---hmmm,

I will try that tomorrow, Ive had less then 5 mins to check this thing out so far (2 jobs) if I can get it into neutral, We can get it on and off the rollback tomorrow night and I can wait for more replies to get it from there!

Do I need to drop any interior panels to see this? Any pics. Trying to figure what tools I need to grab

 

[lounge lizard]

if you have a ford key ( one that will slide into the lock) you should be able to, if you look at the steering column around the key lock there is a hole.

slide a pin/drill bit that fits in the hole and you should be able to pull the whole lock out.

then there will be just a slot in the column where you can use a screw drive to turn it on

 

[ShortyzKustomz]

I actually have 2 sets of Ford keys her grandfather gave me hoping they were right, But neither work in doors or lock cyl. Doesnt it have to be into the "ON" position to be able to press the pin and relsease the cyl? Thats why I was trying to break it to get into into that position...

 

[lounge lizard]

I thought as long as you had a key in it you could remove it with the pin. I believe that is how a lock smith would do it if they didn't have a key for it

 

[ShortyzKustomz]

As far as I know they pick it to the "On' position to remove. I have a set of Ford Transponder Keys he gave me, They just dont work? And he hasnt had any other newer ford vehicles lol

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Are you sure the transponder key won't work?
Is the battery dead?
If so..........

Maybe you can attach jumper cables to the
battery and get the transmission interlock
to release...? (While pressing the brake pedal.)

 

[mr_valingo]

I just popped the cable off the side of the tranny to put her in neutral

 

[ShortyzKustomz]

Are you sure the transponder key won't work?
Is the battery dead?
If so..........

Maybe you can attach jumper cables to the
battery and get the transmission interlock
to release...? (While pressing the brake pedal.)

Threw my optima in there so the batt is good.

And yeah I spent 20 mins saying "this has to be the key!"

But it wont turn any door cylinders or the ign lock cyl. I tried for a good while hoping for just stuck cylinder from sitting.

Which is easier to pop off? Cable at trans or under dash?

 

[ShortyzKustomz]

Well its here at the house now, drug it a few feet onto the rollback then picked the whole front up, I crawled under and popped it off the trans and popped it into neutral. Now to find the best way to get this lock cyl out...