That's fair, really I would probably just have them do the ignition and worry more about the door when I actually get it driving around, take it somewhere to have it done, or figure out how to do it myself at this point

 

Well, I got the old one out. Now the new one won't go in. It'll in almost all the way and then get caught on something and not go anymore. Will only turn slightly so I assume the end is at least partially in its hole

 

Are you near your computer/phone now?

Remember you had to place the tumbler in the accessory position to remove it.
The replacement tumbler and housing must be in the accessory position to install it. Could that be why it will not go in completely?

If I understand what you are telling us,
There is an oblong shaped hole in the rack gear , the end of the replacement tumbler MUST be in the same position for the tumbler to go into the rack gear.

 

Yes, I made sure it's in the accessory/run position so that the pin in the bottom could go up, like I said it goes almost all the way in, maybe half an inch or less of the cylinder is still visible though, and it barely turns while in like this, so that end piece must be partially in its spot at least, it's just not seating all the way for some reason I think?. It was 100 outside with 60% humidity by the time I quit for the day after being stumped by it so I'll have to come back to it tomorrow

 

You should be able to see where the slot in the column is positioned, can you see it ?

You don't want to mess with the part in the column, When you line up the tumbler housing, it will go in only one way, does the extension on the replacement tumbler assy appear to be in the same position as the slot ? If it is not ,,,,,will not go in all the way.
They are usually pretty east to replace, unless something was either moved or damaged.
I had 160 of those and guys were losing keys all the time . It got so bad I bought a supply of assorted key blanks and a key cutting machine The vehicles were run on a seven day operation and I even had a supply of ign key tumblers so the vehicle would not be out of service just for an ign key assy.
Most places will not get involved with repairing the internal parts of the column, they would just go to a salvage yard and replace the entire column. It is not difficult to repair them , you just need the tools and patience. You can do this !!

 

So it seems from what I can tell, that top little disc in the housing is in one position, and doesnt seem to want to move, while the one underneath that is the ignition is a little further towards off to the left, but still in the accessory/run position. This means I'll either just have to wiggle it around till it maybe aligns, or figure out how to move the top plate in line, or somehow have the bottom part in the starting position which is spring loaded when I put it in

 

Just to clarify,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The accessory position is the tumbler turned counterclockwise all the way .

Run is one click clockwise from off.. (where you can remove the key)

 

Not sure if this has accessory. I at least don't remember it, just all the way counter clockwise being off, and run being as far clockwise as you can go without hitting the spring that would be starting it. I have the new cylinder set to run as well as the key hole being in run, as that's how it was taken out

 

Only you know what you have , seems you know where the problem lies, just maybe you need to place the tumbler in the best alignment position and see i you can get it fully inserted.. If the switch assy, which is on the lower end of the steering column doesn't totally agree with the tumbler position, it is slotted and can be adjusted to work correctly .
One test is the starter should engage only in the park and neutral positions and can be adjusted to obtain that result.

 

I honestly wish I could put a video into this to show, but not sure if I can. It's a manual so not sure if that'll help or deter that method