Reverse lights... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

4x4 70 Chevy guy · 07-13-2006, 01:30 PM

I dont know if this truck even came with a manual tranny but i've never had to wire reverse lights in. They dont come on and i dont think there is even any wiring to them. I know there is supposed to be a switch but i dont even know where to look. I'm not too familiar with this. Any help would be appreciated. thanks

matthufham · 07-13-2006, 01:49 PM

i converted my automatic to a floor shift automatic. the switch was on the botton of the steering column, but now that i don't use that shifter the lights would never come on. i took the connector off, ran a wire from the fuse panel to a toggle switch, and the exiting wire to the rear lighting harness for reverse lights. now i can manually turn them on and off. you might not want that, maybe a switch that engages in reverse, but this is what i did. also i can use those lights as cargo lights in any gear.

pics below: lights off, lights on

4x4 70 Chevy guy · 07-13-2006, 02:02 PM

Thanks, I might do that, I'm not sure if the switch will be ok with the inspection place, that is if you have to have reverse lights to pass. I'm trying to get this paper weight to pass inspection and I THINK this was the last thing on the list. its a 4spd m/t through the floor. I wanted to hook it back up right but i might just go with the switch idea just for ease, that and there is already two switches on the dash. Thanks again.

farside847 · 07-13-2006, 03:09 PM

If you have a floor shifter there should be an area for a switch when it is thrown in reverse. What model shifter do you have? There might be docs for it online...

49studebaker · 07-13-2006, 03:33 PM

The first place to look is under the truck. With the truck in reverse it should be up against a bracket/switch that has at least on wire coming out of it(if there's nothing there, you'll get the idea where it would of been). I'm not at home where I can get to my assembly manual. If it were my truck, I'd at least want to know if the wiring was ever in place originally, and then decide if I want a manual switch in the cab or update the existing. Either way should not take a lot of time or money. I'll bet someone comes up with a wiring diagram before the end of the day. Good Luck!

matthufham · 07-13-2006, 03:38 PM

farside, my previous owner ripped that switch off the shifter. i saw it on the diagram in my manual but not on the shifter. there "shoulda been" one on there

Aubigmac · 07-13-2006, 04:22 PM

if it's the 4 speed with granny, the switch is on the top cover just to the left of the shifter. It's a switch that treads into the tranny and has two prongs that stick out of it.

4x4 70 Chevy guy · 07-13-2006, 04:35 PM

It is a 4spd with the granny, thanks for all the help, i'm bad sick today so i wont be able to work on it till tomorrow, but now i know what i'm looking for. If that switch is bad is it hard to find to replace? or will the local parts store have it?

Longhorn Man · 07-13-2006, 07:24 PM

As of 6 years ago, texas inspection didn't require back up lights on trucks.

If you do go with the rocker or toggle switch, I HIGHLY recomend one with a light... no idea how many times ppl yelled at me in traffic, even got pulled over a time or two. I now have a toggle with an LED in the end of it.

07-13-2006, 01:30 PM	#1
4x4 70 Chevy guy Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Weatherford, Tx Posts: 23	Reverse lights... I dont know if this truck even came with a manual tranny but i've never had to wire reverse lights in. They dont come on and i dont think there is even any wiring to them. I know there is supposed to be a switch but i dont even know where to look. I'm not too familiar with this. Any help would be appreciated. thanks __________________ 1970 3/4 ton 4x4 Lwb - 396ci. w/disc brakes up front (work in progress)

07-13-2006, 01:49 PM	#2
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: Reverse lights... i converted my automatic to a floor shift automatic. the switch was on the botton of the steering column, but now that i don't use that shifter the lights would never come on. i took the connector off, ran a wire from the fuse panel to a toggle switch, and the exiting wire to the rear lighting harness for reverse lights. now i can manually turn them on and off. you might not want that, maybe a switch that engages in reverse, but this is what i did. also i can use those lights as cargo lights in any gear. pics below: lights off, lights on Attached Images Last edited by matthufham; 07-13-2006 at 01:57 PM.

07-13-2006, 02:02 PM	#3
4x4 70 Chevy guy Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Weatherford, Tx Posts: 23	Re: Reverse lights... Thanks, I might do that, I'm not sure if the switch will be ok with the inspection place, that is if you have to have reverse lights to pass. I'm trying to get this paper weight to pass inspection and I THINK this was the last thing on the list. its a 4spd m/t through the floor. I wanted to hook it back up right but i might just go with the switch idea just for ease, that and there is already two switches on the dash. Thanks again. __________________ 1970 3/4 ton 4x4 Lwb - 396ci. w/disc brakes up front (work in progress)

07-13-2006, 03:09 PM	#4
farside847 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 995	Re: Reverse lights... If you have a floor shifter there should be an area for a switch when it is thrown in reverse. What model shifter do you have? There might be docs for it online... __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree

07-13-2006, 03:33 PM	#5
49studebaker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Victor, Montana Posts: 386	Re: Reverse lights... The first place to look is under the truck. With the truck in reverse it should be up against a bracket/switch that has at least on wire coming out of it(if there's nothing there, you'll get the idea where it would of been). I'm not at home where I can get to my assembly manual. If it were my truck, I'd at least want to know if the wiring was ever in place originally, and then decide if I want a manual switch in the cab or update the existing. Either way should not take a lot of time or money. I'll bet someone comes up with a wiring diagram before the end of the day. Good Luck! __________________ 04 4x4 GMC Ext. Cab lifted 71 2wd GMC / Ramjet 350 ready for sheet metal 49 Studebaker pickup

07-13-2006, 03:38 PM	#6
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: Reverse lights... farside, my previous owner ripped that switch off the shifter. i saw it on the diagram in my manual but not on the shifter. there "shoulda been" one on there

07-13-2006, 04:22 PM	#7
Aubigmac Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 13	Re: Reverse lights... if it's the 4 speed with granny, the switch is on the top cover just to the left of the shifter. It's a switch that treads into the tranny and has two prongs that stick out of it.

07-13-2006, 04:35 PM	#8
4x4 70 Chevy guy Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Weatherford, Tx Posts: 23	Re: Reverse lights... It is a 4spd with the granny, thanks for all the help, i'm bad sick today so i wont be able to work on it till tomorrow, but now i know what i'm looking for. If that switch is bad is it hard to find to replace? or will the local parts store have it? __________________ 1970 3/4 ton 4x4 Lwb - 396ci. w/disc brakes up front (work in progress)

07-13-2006, 07:24 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Reverse lights... As of 6 years ago, texas inspection didn't require back up lights on trucks. If you do go with the rocker or toggle switch, I HIGHLY recomend one with a light... no idea how many times ppl yelled at me in traffic, even got pulled over a time or two. I now have a toggle with an LED in the end of it.



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