Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for
MORE wrenching? 
Plenty of places to share. | | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,006 Posts1,055,268 Members48,418 | | Most Online14,466
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: Aug 2004 Posts: 143 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 143 | As I continue to wire my '51 3100 I've installed backup lights from a '50 passenger car. Since these trucks didn't come with backup lights what have others used as a backup light switch and how have you mounted and wired it? Thanks
It never costs more to ask and it never costs more to think big.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 239 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 239 |
Is your truck a 3 speed (on the column) or a 4 speed (on the floor)?
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
-Unknown-
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 239 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 239 |
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
-Unknown-
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 143 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 143 | Truck is a 3 speed on the column.
It never costs more to ask and it never costs more to think big.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 239 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 239 | Here are the ways I have heard that other bolters have done it for a 3 speed on the column.
1) Put in a manual toggle switch under the dash. There is several discussions here on that topic.
2) I talked to one bolter that used a Chevy TF switch. I believe he mounted it on the fire wall and it switched off the transmission linkage near the steering column. In a test, I actually duplicated this using a modified brake light switch.
The method I finally settled on, which was available in the 1950's but not widely used, was a position sensing switch (an inductive sensor). I mounted it behind the dash on the brace above the steering cloumn. So each time I place my truck in reverse The switch senses the postion and turns on the backup lights.
Dale
Last edited by di1953gmc; 09/15/2011 7:00 PM.
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
-Unknown-
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | The simplest is to put a switch under the dash. When backup lights were first put on, that's how they were switched. Connect the wire to any hot wire and run it to the switch then the light. Make sure the light is grounded. Mine is connected to the switched side of the ignition switch so that it's dead any time the key is off to prevent an accidental drained battery.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | | OLTrucks Unregistered | | OLTrucks Unregistered | A good buddy of mine (Jerry Rivers)has one from a car he uses on his 1948 suburban, It mounts on the three speed shift box under the hood, It sure looks nice and stock and works every time. Some might of seen it at the reunion this last weekend. I would have to see if I can get a photo of it so all can see.
Mike | | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | diagram of TF setup for column shift Bill | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 239 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 239 | Thanks Bill. I wondered how it was setup under the dash. I had only see it installed under the hood.
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
-Unknown-
| | |
|
|
