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I am buying an 87 horizon that the key has been lost. In order to tow it home I will need to remove the ignition cylinder I however do not know how to do this without the key. What are my options? I called the local locksmiths and they said it will be $250 that seems a lot excessive.
If it was me I'd probably just bring a spare column to swap in (one that I have keys to). If you're just needing the front wheels free to get on a trailer you could remove the column and steer it onto the trailer by kicking the tires (done it many times).
I've found that the old L bodys are pretty forgiving key wise. I usually have a key that will unlock the door of ign in them. That being said, I have popped them out with a screw driver before. Although I do recommend Dave's suggestions above that one.
I also have the janitor key ring full of Chrysler keys, usually can find one that works.
Could pull the steering wheel and try to press the key cylinder release button. but for this to work you need to turn the cylinder.
car thief style.
channel lock pliers and a huge standard driver.
Use the channel locks to tear off the chrome part. then hammer in your screw driver and finally turn with the channel locks.
Does bumping work on these Chryslers? Its gotten me out of some jams on non-car locks. You put a key all the way in then back out one click, then SMACK the key in while applying turning pressure. If you get all the tumblers to bounce up you're set. Works best with a zero key but I've had it work fine with other random keys too.
If it works on Chryslers, its pretty easy to file a bump key (with all the valleys going to the bottom) with hand files.
My old neighbor who was a locksmith made me a key for the Charger, took him about 10 minutes. He stuck a blank key in the door, wiggled it around, pulled it out and filed it by hand where he saw the tumblers hitting. I can't believe a locksmith would charge $250 for that!
I use a local locksmith to make keys for old bikes like that. He does it from the scoring marks for $20 per key.
Now that I think about it, I have bumped my mini door open when I locked my keys inside. I used the key from another mini. IIRC it took like 10 minutes of bumping until it finally turned. I don't see why it wouldn't work on an ignition lock.