47-55.1 Reverse switch, Lokar shifter

[Livemeyer]

Though I'm pleased I was successfully able to rewire my entire truck, I left one issue to troubleshoot until today: reverse lights. After some head-scratching and consternation, I discovered that a) both the reverse light bulbs were burned out, and that b) the Lokar shifter switch I wired up is really a momentary off, normal on switch, instead of vice-versa, which is what I need.

This switch is at the base of the floor selector and has a ball on one end that gets depressed when in a certain gear. It was difficult to tell if it was reverse or neutral that the switch was being depressed, but I figure if it works in these positions only, I'm okay. Problem is, it cuts power in these positions and stays on when in drive or park. Kinda explains why the bulbs were out!

Anyway, this is a Powerglide transmission and I was hoping I could find the same switch but momentary on while shopping at Lokar's website. They sell a kit that looks like the same switch but mounted at the transmission witch a bracket kit they sell. First, I don't know if it will work with the Powerglide and second I don't know if the switch is the same momentary-off, normal-on type. It wouldn't make much sense for me to order the kit if it does the same thing.

Aside from this, I also am wondering if there's a switch to be found at the transmission for this purpose, in which case I can simply wire to that and not bother with the switch on the Lokar gearshift lever.

Thoughts? Can I modify the switch? Can I get the opposite-style switch?

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Livemeyer

This switch is at the base of the floor selector and has a ball on one end that gets depressed when in a certain gear. It was difficult to tell if it was reverse or neutral that the switch was being depressed, but I figure if it works in these positions only, I'm okay. Problem is, it cuts power in these positions and stays on when in drive or park. Kinda explains why the bulbs were out!

The switch you are referring too, is the netural safety switch. Switch only works is Park or Netural for starting the car. This is for your safety so car WON'T start in gear. It's normally a purple wire that goes from ing. switch to one spade on netural safety switch, then the other spade to starter. You need to find another source for reverse lights...Jim

[Livemeyer]

Originally Posted by oldman3

The switch you are referring too, is the netural safety switch. Switch only works is Park or Netural for starting the car. This is for your safety so car WON'T start in gear. It's normally a purple wire that goes from ing. switch to one spade on netural safety switch, then the other spade to starter. You need to find another source for reverse lights...Jim

Yes, I realize that, and as I have been researching I think I have found a part that goes on the transmission, a switch https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...323863&jsn=492
that mounts on the transmission. I don't recall seeing one but I'll get under the truck to have a look. I might just order the part and go that direction. I was hoping I could just buy a "opposite" switch from the neutral safety switch and use that. Turns out the transmission mount switch is even cheaper.

[FiftyTwo]

The switch you found at Rock Auto I believe attaches under the steering column and is activated by your stock column shifter.

If you installed a Lokar floor shifter you just need the reverse switch kit from Lokar. Simple to install. When you shift into reverse the little arm that comes with the kit presses the reverse switch button and turns the reverse lights on.

[mr48chev]

Fifty two quoted exactly what is in the instructions. http://www.lokar.com/assets/instruct...htNSSwitch.pdf

It either works as a neutral safety switch or a back up light switch but not both.

The backup version uses the single contact arm while the neutral uses the double contact arm so that you can start in neutral or park.

Fifty two is also 100% correct in that the switch you found on Rock Auto is for the column shift automatic.

The NS5 could be made to work with the floor shift but it would have to set on a bracket in front of or behind the shift handle with a fabricated linkage to work it that would be slightly on the complicated side.

This is an aftermaket linkage that is sold for Impala SS mid 60s cars that are converted to turbo 350/400 but this style could work wit hthe NS5 switch on the glide. I don't like the idea of having that switch under the truck rather in the truck though

[Livemeyer]

Originally Posted by FiftyTwo

The switch you found at Rock Auto I believe attaches under the steering column and is activated by your stock column shifter.

If you installed a Lokar floor shifter you just need the reverse switch kit from Lokar. Simple to install. When you shift into reverse the little arm that comes with the kit presses the reverse switch button and turns the reverse lights on.

Ah yes, this makes sense. I was wondering why I couldn't find a picture of that switch mounted on the transmission, and yes, it does have the curve associated with mounting it in a column shifter.

As for the Loka switch kit, I was looking at it, it's less than $25 and should do the trick. However I was hesitant because it didn't list powerglide as one of the transmissions it would work with. I will likely give it a try anyway, if I can't get it to fit I can just return it.

I also looked at photos of that Loka switch kit and it uses the same ball switch as the neutral safety witch on the floor shifter. Naturally, that made me question if the switch works in the same way, or opposite (normally open, closed when contacted and depressed). I suppose I'll find out once I order the kit.

[Livemeyer]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

This is an aftermaket linkage that is sold for Impala SS mid 60s cars that are converted to turbo 350/400 but this style could work wit hthe NS5 switch on the glide. I don't like the idea of having that switch under the truck rather in the truck though

This is interesting to note, in that the powerglide I have in all likelihood came out of a 1964 or 1965 Impala! LOL