Steering Column Repair: 1999 f150 steering column locked, grease pencil, cotter pin

Question
I have the above truck. The steering column is locked and the key will not turn. What can I do to release the column so the truck can be started.

Answer
there is no quick way to release the column, and unfortunately, the lock cylinder cant just be popped out, unless it's in the on position, call a locksmith and get him to pick the lock on, then have a replacement key cylinder ready that you have purchased from the dealer, if you have the regular small key, you can get one from the parts store, but if it's got a big head and the hole is offset, it's got an immobilizer chip in it, you will need to take that key to the deal and get a new lock, then once the locksmith gets the cylinder to turn over, just put it in the on position, push the pin underneath the column (you will need to remove the lower cover to see the pushpin better) and slide the old switch out, slide the new one in, making sure it's in the on position, you will know it's there when the pushpin will push, on turn the key backs and forth and it will lock in place. First of all, turn the wheel so that under the hood, the steering shaft  bolt is turned straight up and down, this will be the bolt closest to the firewall, not the one on the gearbox, remove that bolt then take a small hammer and tap the "rag joint" hub off of the steering shaft coming out of the column, noting which way it comes off, you might want to make a mark with a colored grease pencil or something, if the truck is an automatic, you will also need to remove the cotter pin from the link coming out of the bottom of the column, then sliding the linkage off of it and out of the way. Then go inside the truck and take the cover out from below the column, unhook the two wires (three if you have cruise control) that come from the column itself, then there are four bolts that hold it to the firewall, and two nuts that hold the column up against the dashboard. You will need to work with it to get it out, turned and running the shifter about halfway down, so that the link at the bottom of the column will clear, but it should come out without to much force. Please let me know if I can help you further