I just picked up a 2001 Tahoe LS with 151k miles that was a theft recovery for $600. THe truck runs and drives ok, and with the exception of the cats being cut off, seems to be in OK mechanical condition. They broke the key switch and now the actual switch is hanging don below the column. They were just pushing the white "gear" that they key normally actuates to start the truck. For the gear shift, they rigged what appears to be a boat shifter cable. Evidently the truck does not have a locking column, (or they broke that somehow as well. My question is in regard to replacing the steering column. I was employing the thieves' "method" to start and load the truck on my trailer. When I turn the switch "ON", the "SECUIRTY" light starts flashing. I plan to use the engine, trans, chassis dash and floor pan under a 71 C1 body I have that already had the floor and firewall cut out when I bought it, so am looking to get it back to how it is supposed to me. If I install an steering column out of a salvage yard truck, does any "programming" or anything else need to be done in order for it to work? I currently also have a 2001 2500HD "work truck" and it does not appear to have a "chip" on the key. It does not have the "SECURITY" light on the instrument cluster either, though. Does the Tahoe have a "chip" key?