Need Help with Back-Up Lights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BenReed · 03-06-2008, 09:37 PM

Howdy.

I recently bought a 1970 C-10. The column and the hand-sawn hole in the floor for the after market 3-speed both basically indicate the truck was originally a column-shift. Question is, how do I correctly install a functional back-up switch with the current (after market) floor-shift setup, when the remaining (and disconnected) switch is for column-shifting? I'm guessing I'll have to get a tranny-mounted switch, but I don't know which one to buy, nor where to tie it into the harness.

...Texas doesn't require it to pass inspection, but I keep getting people on my ass while I'm trying to parallel park. Kind of killing the thrill of my new PS upgrade.

Thanks a ton,
Ben

Sinister · 03-06-2008, 10:03 PM

The reverse lights are wired to a little jack at the bottom of the steering column. There is also a jack for the neutral safety switch there. The reverse lights wiring is light green and dark green.

BenReed · 03-06-2008, 11:54 PM

Okay... but where can I find a switch for my 3-spd MT? It's floor shifted now, so the column switch isn't especially helpful.

Andy4639 · 03-07-2008, 12:31 AM

I bought a little micro switch and hooked to my floor shifter so that in reverse it lite up the lights. Nothing to it just cut the factory wires and reconnect to new switch on shifter.

Longhorn Man · 03-07-2008, 02:34 AM

An easy way out for you... wire it to a toggle. I used a toggle with a red LED in the end of it becouse i kept goin down the road with the back ups on... but I have found the back ups to be awesome work lights too.

dan42 · 03-07-2008, 08:34 AM

Now, that's a real professional way to do it, Andy...

Andy4639 · 03-07-2008, 05:41 PM

dan42

Quote:

Now, that's a real professional way to do it, Andy...

Thanks!...or did you mean the other Andy.

dan42 · 03-07-2008, 07:52 PM

the other one. Your idea sounds great. I actually had a toggle switch setup on my '70 from the previous owner, but he didn't explain to me what it was for so I never used it.

Longhorn Man · 03-08-2008, 01:22 AM

i figured it was to me... and i read it as sarcasm... (it was wasn't it?)
Honestly, as little as I actually need them, I like the toggle set up. I flash them at people if they are tailgating me or if there brights are on, and I use them as work lights quite a bit.

dan42 · 03-08-2008, 02:46 AM

yeah, it was sarcasm - just teasing you a little. It's actually a pretty commonly used solution, and like you say, you can use them in other circumstances.

Longhorn321 · 03-08-2008, 03:16 AM

Me thinky me wire a toggle switch in AND have the column switch so me can use them when not in R!

Andy4639 · 03-08-2008, 04:03 AM

Just make sure it ant the man behind you when you turn them on! He may not like thinking you threw the truck in Revers going 55 MPH.

Longhorn Man · 03-08-2008, 04:59 AM

eh... he'll get over it.

I actually look at the headlights and make sure it isn't a caprice or crown vic before doing something like that.
With my luck, the one dodge charger in there fleet will be back there...

03-06-2008, 09:37 PM	#1
BenReed Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 4	Need Help with Back-Up Lights Howdy. I recently bought a 1970 C-10. The column and the hand-sawn hole in the floor for the after market 3-speed both basically indicate the truck was originally a column-shift. Question is, how do I correctly install a functional back-up switch with the current (after market) floor-shift setup, when the remaining (and disconnected) switch is for column-shifting? I'm guessing I'll have to get a tranny-mounted switch, but I don't know which one to buy, nor where to tie it into the harness. ...Texas doesn't require it to pass inspection, but I keep getting people on my ass while I'm trying to parallel park. Kind of killing the thrill of my new PS upgrade. Thanks a ton, Ben

03-06-2008, 10:03 PM	#2
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights The reverse lights are wired to a little jack at the bottom of the steering column. There is also a jack for the neutral safety switch there. The reverse lights wiring is light green and dark green. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

03-06-2008, 11:54 PM	#3
BenReed Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 4	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights Okay... but where can I find a switch for my 3-spd MT? It's floor shifted now, so the column switch isn't especially helpful.

03-07-2008, 12:31 AM	#4
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights I bought a little micro switch and hooked to my floor shifter so that in reverse it lite up the lights. Nothing to it just cut the factory wires and reconnect to new switch on shifter. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

03-07-2008, 02:34 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights An easy way out for you... wire it to a toggle. I used a toggle with a red LED in the end of it becouse i kept goin down the road with the back ups on... but I have found the back ups to be awesome work lights too.

03-07-2008, 08:34 AM	#6
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights Now, that's a real professional way to do it, Andy... __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

03-07-2008, 07:52 PM	#8
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights the other one. Your idea sounds great. I actually had a toggle switch setup on my '70 from the previous owner, but he didn't explain to me what it was for so I never used it. __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

03-08-2008, 01:22 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights i figured it was to me... and i read it as sarcasm... (it was wasn't it?) Honestly, as little as I actually need them, I like the toggle set up. I flash them at people if they are tailgating me or if there brights are on, and I use them as work lights quite a bit.

03-08-2008, 02:46 AM	#10
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights yeah, it was sarcasm - just teasing you a little. It's actually a pretty commonly used solution, and like you say, you can use them in other circumstances. __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

03-08-2008, 03:16 AM	#11
Longhorn321 Size Matters Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lyman, SC Posts: 9,189	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights Me thinky me wire a toggle switch in AND have the column switch so me can use them when not in R! __________________ "Reading the owners manual is only for quitters." Jason Harper, Bloomberg News. ...WOOOO HOOOO!!!!

03-08-2008, 04:03 AM	#12
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights Just make sure it ant the man behind you when you turn them on! He may not like thinking you threw the truck in Revers going 55 MPH. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

03-08-2008, 04:59 AM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Need Help with Back-Up Lights eh... he'll get over it. I actually look at the headlights and make sure it isn't a caprice or crown vic before doing something like that. With my luck, the one dodge charger in there fleet will be back there...

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