Ignition switch ?

[neverfinished52]

I am wanting to switch from a steering column ignition switch to a switch in the dash. Is there a benefit to using an original style ignition switch? Will I need the bracket as well? Has anyone done this before? Thanks from a newbie.

[dwcsr]

original switch doesn't fit without the bracket

[mr48chev]

Original switch also doesn't have a start position on it. That isn't a big problem as you can use a push button either on the dash or hidden. I like them hidden under the dash as it helps keep others (including small kids) from pushing the starter button and makes cranking the truck a two motion event. I lost my keys one time and wired in a toggle switch and push button and drove the truck like that for a year and it was over six months and riding in the truck several times before my buddy figured out I didn't have a key in the switch.

54 trucks did use a push button near the headlight switch.
A bit of Jim Carter ignition switch info/trivia that might be worth bookmarking.
http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/i...witch-changes/

[neverfinished52]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Original switch also doesn't have a start position on it. That isn't a big problem as you can use a push button either on the dash or hidden. I like them hidden under the dash as it helps keep others (including small kids) from pushing the starter button and makes cranking the truck a two motion event. I lost my keys one time and wired in a toggle switch and push button and drove the truck like that for a year and it was over six months and riding in the truck several times before my buddy figured out I didn't have a key in the switch.

54 trucks did use a push button near the headlight switch.
A bit of Jim Carter ignition switch info/trivia that might be worth bookmarking.
http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/i...witch-changes/

Thanks for the post. A lot of good info here. So I want just a normal ignition. No push button start or anything. Any suggestions?

[mr48chev]

From experience with my truck none of the aftermarket universal switches stay put in the hole that the stock switch goes in for long. They all work loose as the hole is pretty big.

Unless a guy only has one hand that works I don't know what the hatred for pushbutton start is but it seems to be universal across a lot of boards. So be that.
You might look at later GM in the dash switches as they ran them in pickups up to 72 and in vans even up to 80.
This is an 80 Chevy Van ignition switch that you can probably find the chrome trim ring for easy enough or look at other switches for 60 to 72 GM pickups and find one that will fit http://www.partstrain.com/store/deta...YD-xoCxmzw_wcB That link is for show and tell only as you can get one locally easy enough.

[mphudak]

Not sure what year truck, but 54-55 GMC's w/Hydramatic have start position and 55-59 Chevy/GMC w/hydramatic or factory v8. My best guess is that GM used the same, or very similar, ignition switch for the era in their vehicles. Might look towards a car switch also. As far as push button, several vehicles in the early/mid 50's has push buttons. 54-55.1 Chevy trucks w/Hydramatic were push button, and possibly the 53 GMC hydramatic. I an NOS in the box starter button I'm saving for the right project.

Also, an article showing the variances in the switches from 47-55.1. I don't know enough about the 47-53 to say if a 54-59 switch style is usable.
http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/Articl...ch-Changes.php

[Softpatch]

.

.
You can go anyway you want...
Your only limited by your imagination....
the toggle switch(spring back)
on the dash is how a remember driving this truck
last time i saw it (40yrs) ago

My Father's 59" Viking"
.

.
.

[mr48chev]

A switch with a bezel like the one in the 59 Viking that softpatch showed might work without a lot of hassles. Some hassles but not a lot. Ideally you would cut the area around the switch out of a donor dash that matched the switch and weld it in your dash in the stock location to have the switch fit properly.

[47 Fasttoys]

I used the Ron Francis Wiring switch I bought from Summit Racing. It has a small body which fits well for clearance behind the dash. The quality is good and I have had no issues with it at all. Fits in the hole and stays tight. Mine is a '47 so it should be the same for the '47 through '53.
Rob

[neverfinished52]

So I ended up buying the original style ignition switch for my 52 and I decided to go with a push button start. Would something like this work? I am worried about the 3 amp max switch rating



Operation Type: Momentary (Self Return)
Switch Contact: 1NO (Normally Open)
Head Shape: Flat
Max Switch Rating: 3A/250VAC
Terminal Type: Screw
Contact Material: Silver Plated Gold
Protection Rating: IP67/IK10
Operation Temperature: -20C - 55C
Panel Thickness: 1 - 6mm
Mechanical Life: 1,000,000 Cycles

[mongocanfly]

3 amps probably not going to work..summit has them rated 35-60amps..a painless wiring pushbutton is rated at 30 amps..

[joedoh]

3A is a little low, if I remember a start solenoid only needs 3-4A steady state (continuous rating) but transient (instantaneous) can be up to 20A. If you want to use that particular switch, you can wire it to a 30A automotive style relay, one side of the switch to 12v+, other side to pin 85 on the relay, pin 86 to chassis ground, pin 87 to 16ga 12v+, pin 30 to the starter solenoid. This will carry less than 500mA in the pushbutton. in fact you can wire the 12v+ side of the switch to ignition and that way the switch wont crank the starter with the truck turned off.