Looks like I need to find a remedial version of this website.
Finally discovered after 8 years of ownership that the plastic ring around the ignition switch has a light in it. Since I'm doing lots of little things to improve the truck, changing a bulb should be one of the easiest. Well, not quite.
I can't get the steering column cover off. Removed two bolts from the bottom, but it just loosened a little and won't come apart.
No problemo - did a search for 'remove steering column cover', which returned several threads.
It seems like everyone (except me) already knows the trick, because I didn't find out how to remove it. Most posts seem to start out with it already off, or just mention that you need to do it.

Sooo... I gotta ask. How does this thing come off?
20+ years ago, I would have just started yanking on it and probably broke it. But the cover isn't even scratched, and I don't want to mess it up after all these years of looking good.
What am I not doing right?

 

It has a couple locking tabs towards the gauge cluster side, they just kind of pry apart. Also I think you might have missed a screw?

 

I just so happened to have mine off today, there is one screw that screws into metal in the center and one that scews in to plastic on the right side by where the gear selecter would be for an automatic. Then with so tender prying and squezzing the two halves should come apart. On the left side in the seam there are some interlocking tabs that might need so attention to come apart. I was able to get mine apart without removing the dash panel for the gauges, but if ypu wanna keep yours not scratched you might want to. Now this is only for the rear half of the column, for the front half there is two screws that thread into plastic on the front corners on the bottom half and one screw that threads into metal in the center on the bottom. All the screws are torx screws.

 

After you remove the tilt lever and the 3 screws from the underside you need to carefully separate the 2 halves and carefully snap open the latches.



Same as on the key side.



Here is what the latches look like.



This is what it looks like already off.



This part is called the Halo Ring
You do not have to remove it, I took it apart to replace the ignition switch, and you can find this in the FAQ or Sticky.



This is what the lamp looks like you are trying to replace, it is a mini wedge base lamp and you can get it from Auto Zone or Pep Boys.



These are a good set of tools to have, a set of Security Torx. The one with the bits in the handle are professional and cost about $40.00 but as you can see they will open just about any security fastener used commercially.



Again I hope this gives you some help.

I have lots of pictures of almost everything.

Jim

 

Good news - I got the cover off. Had to go to Sears and buy a Torx screwdriver. The one I was using was one of the folding pocket knife types with all the sizes, but it wasn't long enough to reach the screws in the tunnels.
Thanks very much!