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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 148
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Shop Shark
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I have 1954 3600. I have searched this for a long time. Does anyone know what might be fit in the doors where the the small bumpers fit? I can't find any part numbers. I hate to start buying different switches just to find that they wont fit or might be too long. I know someone might remember what they used.
Thanks Sharon

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Dome lite switch part numbers
1954 3600
Does anyone know what might be fit in the doors where the the small bumpers fit? I can't find any part numbers.
I know someone might remember what they used.

Sharon,

I am most likely confused, but, are you looking for?
There was no original dome light switch in the doors.
The only switch was up on/in the dome light housing.

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I want to put a switch on the door jam so the lite works when you open the door. Like most other cars do now.
Sharon

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
What they used: nothing was available for 47-55 trucks - "in the day".

The original light/lamp switch provided a ground to the bulb. The lead/wire to the housing is always hot to the "normally" ungrounded bulb. A ground (turn/flick the switch on) is needed for the bulb to light.

When other cars/trucks had/have a switch, it was a spring-loaded button in the door jamb, providing an on/off switch to the lamp housing.

To make that work with your original housing, you could run a ground-lead from each door and connect both door leads (from each/both side/door) to the switch in the dome light housing.

Let's hope someone will correct/chastise me, and will provide an easier "solution".

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I understand the wiring of the switch, I just need a little help in finding what door switch may have been used by the Stovebolt members
Sharon

Joined: Sep 2001
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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I join you in my interest in what others might have set up for an "automatic" switch.

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'Bolter
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Back in the late 50's early 60's I was a parts man at a Chevy dealership.
The cars all had normally on, push button door switches as Tim described.
I installed many 'accessory' under dash lighting kits in my own Chevy's and
for others. Obviously you won't be able to find any of those original accessory
kits today, that would be like striking gold I'm sure.
Brad Allan now doubt has an example of these in his museum, maybe he
can chime in and show us a picture of one. And I'm sure you have accessory
books Tim, that list the under dash kits, no??
But.....if it's just lighting that you're interested in Sharon, there are many under
dash/footwell LED lighting kits on the market now a days for around $15-$20.
All the ones I've seen from a brief tour of the internet, are for late model cars
which already have footwell lighting. So, you would have to get creative and
purchase push button switches such as available on Amazon then find a
good spot to drill a hole.
You seem to understand the electrical part of it, that would simply be running
a hot lead to/thru the switches and and out to the lights and grounding the circuit.
Let us know what you come up with.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
.


Denny G
Sandwich, IL
Joined: Sep 2001
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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Sir Searchalot
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You are looking for a standard momentary, normally on, push button, bulkhead mount, switch. Something like this. As seen in TC's link pix...or these.


Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
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'Bolter
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There are a couple original (AD years period) that could work. The really rare 1947-48 vintage compartment lamp for sedan delivery bodies.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/13957537043/in/album-72157631868452754/
Took me years to actually find and win one, the kit contains a single Guide B-31 lamp and all the wiring and switch.
The next option would be 1953-54 BelAir switches. These are pretty common lights but it appears the switches were installed at the factory and you sourced the lamp kit?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/38938127131/in/album-72157631868452754/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/38938128251/in/album-72157631868452754/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/38051655075/in/album-72157631868452754/
If you are looking for period correct it may be worth looking at other GM division parts, switches and lamps were used across many models in the divisions.

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That's what I'm talking about guys, thank you for all your input. Now to order parts and fish wires down to doors.

Thanks again Sharon


Moderated by  Jon G, Rusty Rod 

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