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#1587240 09/12/2025 11:45 PM
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My C60's SM420 transmission had a factory input shaft seal, now it has a modern neoprene seal. However it's the two ton input shaft and it's a '65, so maybe they treated those better. I just wish it had the backup light fitting/switch. That seems to have debuted in '67.

Last edited by Dusty53; 09/15/2025 6:17 PM. Reason: change Title to refelect post question

1965 C60 school bus | 1967 GMC 6500 school bus
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Originally Posted by Tronman
I just wish it had the backup light fitting/switch. That seems to have debuted in '67.

Novak will drill, tap and install a backup light on your SM420 top cover for a price.

Click here

Last edited by Dusty53; 09/15/2025 6:16 PM. Reason: change Title to refelect post question

'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
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I always wondered if I could do that, it doesn't seem hugely complex. Maybe they could sell me the switch and I could figure the rest out myself.

Last edited by Tronman; 09/13/2025 7:46 AM.

1965 C60 school bus | 1967 GMC 6500 school bus
PapaDisco #1587275 09/13/2025 12:28 PM
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'Bolter
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I've never owned a vehicle that had backup lights that actually illuminated anything well enough to assist reversing at night.


1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
PapaDisco #1587315 09/13/2025 10:39 PM
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If you have a receiver hitch this is bright.
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BC
1960 Chevy C10 driver 261 T5 4.10 dana 44 power loc
1949 GMC 250 project in waiting
1960 C60 pasture art
Retired GM dealer tech. 1980 - 2022
PapaDisco #1587317 09/13/2025 10:57 PM
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Wow, that's bright.

I was referring to factory installed reverse lights. None of them do anything to improve visibility at night while reversing.

What do you do if you want to install a hitch? Does that light just pull out?


1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
Tronman #1587380 09/14/2025 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Tronman
I always wondered if I could do that, it doesn't seem hugely complex. Maybe they could sell me the switch and I could figure the rest out myself.

The switch is common. I broke mine and the local auto parts store had it. ISTR someone installing their own switch in a pre-1967 transmission - maybe search the forums.

Backup lights are a great safety feature; not just for night driving. Last week, I was in a parking lot getting ready to back up when I saw the backup lights on the car behind me come on. I waited for the guy to leave.


Gord 🇨🇦
----
1954 1/2 ton 235 4 speed
PapaDisco #1587388 09/14/2025 11:05 PM
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I installed a Motorcraft switch SW-1835 into my extra stored SM-420 gearbox back in 2004. It was great to have that extra gearbox for such projects.


Here's a link to a thread I started way back in '04.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...ght-switch-project-completed#Post1322705

Last edited by cmayna; 09/15/2025 11:49 PM.

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.
Tronman #1587764 09/18/2025 10:18 PM
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On the early SM 420s there was a lever arm that attached to the shift handle that depressed a simple 2-wire push button switch to operate backup lights. It would be a very easy project to fabricate one of those from parts available at the local hardware store. I've used a pair of fog/driving lights attached to a rear bumper to make VERY efficient backup lights. A push button wired into that circuit was also effective at getting tailgaters to back off a little!
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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