I wanted to replace it with a JY unit to cut the losses of losing a key and after taking apart the dash, it looks like some dipsh*t at the nissan factory thought itd be funny to install the cylinder with bolts that have a blank head (no surface for a tool to turn it).

Am I supposed to just grind it off?

 

yes i had to drill mine and or use an "easy out" and buy
SELF SHEARING SCREWS from the local locksmith
something like 15 bucks for 2 screws
i used a drill with a screw head bit holder and the spun in tight
and sheared away with little effort
one could maybe get cheap regular versions

if they were just screws
it would be easy to break the plastic case of the column
and unscrew the ign switch steering lock combo and such

 

^^ yup.

security bolt. easy outs, replace with regular bolts.

 

i used the same bolts,,i used a small drill bit,drilled into the head of the bolt a little then found a square screw driver about the same size maybe a little bigger and hammered it into the round hole making it square so i could just unscrew it and then screw it back in