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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 250 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 250 | I acquired an old AD headlight switch in a box of spare parts at a garage sale. I was hoping to use it in place of the one in my '48 GMC that came with the new wiring harness installed by the previous owner.
Everything worked on the AD switch except the rheostat which doesn't work with the new switch either!
In getting the truck ready for its inspection I decided to add back up lights and a back up alarm and use the old switch.
There was a hole already drilled even with the lighter but more centered in the dash. I mounted the switch and wired it so that the first pull turns on the lights and the second pull sounds the alarm. That way I can choose whether to have the alarm sound or not.
It looks great with its original knob and kind of looks like it has always been there.
Now all I need is another old switch---with a working rheostat---to get my truck looking right again.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 226 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 226 | | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | you oughta have the alarm come on first so you don't leave your backup lights on, and either kill the battery, or be driving around with the back up lights on. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 | If you have a SM420, you could consider installing a backup switch in the gearbox so when you shift into reverse, the switch is activated. Adding an alarm or horn to the circuit seems like a great idea.
Craig My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 250 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 250 | Thanks for the replies. It's easy enough to change and have the alarm first, then the lights or both at the same time. I like the alarm when I'm in a parking lot but find it annoying-as does one of my family members-when I'm in the driveway.
I really just like how it looks in the dash, better than a new non-matching switch or one that clamps to the lower edge of the dash and hangs down. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,384 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,384 | You can keep the set up the same (there are times when you don't want the alarm) and still eliminate the worry of leaving the lights on (it will happen) by adding a little noise maker inside the cab that comes on with the lights.
Yes, I'm sure it looks good on the dash. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 250 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 250 | Jim, a little noise maker is a great idea! Not that I'd ever forget to turn the lights off.
As Firesign Theatre famously asked and then answered: "what kind of fool do you take me for? First Class!"
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | there is a reason I mentioned that....
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 250 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 250 | Brokenhead, experience is a great teacher. Ask me about the pizza on the roof incident. | | |
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