reverse lights yet again - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**truckdude239** · 02-19-2006, 08:10 PM

okay i got a 71 c-10 long bed 3 speed in the floor was in the column but was converted anyway i have no back up lights and well a cop stoped me the other day backing out of a parking spacei see the switch on the cloumn but what is the best way to get the lights to work short of runing a hot wire to a toggle swithc to the lights?

Sweet72 · 02-19-2006, 08:22 PM

If you want something more sophisticated than a toggle switch you'll have to fab a simple angle iron bracket, get a brake light switch, bolt it to the trans. somehow and rig it to work with your transmission linkage. I know, easier said than done. With a little ingenuity it will work great.

71chevytruckguy · 02-19-2006, 08:29 PM

i didn't think the back up lights had to work here in NC. i know for inspection they don't, but if its a '71 or before, you don't have to get it inspected. if we do, im gonna have to rig up something for both my trucks.

Longhorn Man · 02-19-2006, 08:32 PM

Doing a toggle can be way easier and better than you describe.
I run one on mine instead of relocating the switch when i converted to a van tilt.
Mount your toggle where ever it is you want it, then run 2 small wires to the old back up harness. Plug one in one slot, the other in the other slot. No hacking, no butchering simple plug and play and can be fixed 'properly' later when the time, effort, money and the uge all happens at the same time.
I would recomend a light or LED in the truck to notify you that the lights are on, or even a small beeper of sorts, it is easy to back up and forget they are on. You could even get an electronic flasher and wire it inline to the light or noise maker and have it a blinking light or noise maker.
An added feature of doing it this way is you'll have some light when hooking up to a trailer at night, or working on something on the tailgate or what ever.

matthufham · 02-19-2006, 08:34 PM

i took the 2 green wires under the column and put them on a toggle (i have an automatic converted to an auto floor shift) now i can use the back up lights whenever i toggle them, which can be used for cargo lights too. i know you don't want to do that, so you might want to look into the backup/neautral safety switch that goes on the transmission. there's a part out there for you, but i havent looked into it.

**truckdude239** · 02-19-2006, 08:54 PM

nope don't need the for inspection but the cop wanted to know why they didn't work told him i didn't need them acording to the inspection station but i guess i'll do the toggle switch since theres a hole already in the dash for one

Andy4639 · 02-19-2006, 09:39 PM

? here. Does the old switch get it power from where? I mean what told it to turn on? The manual trans I have used in the past had a electric hook up on the side of the trans case.

**truckdude239** · 02-19-2006, 09:50 PM

my old trans had that had a switch on the side of the case but the one i now got don't

matthufham · 02-19-2006, 09:58 PM

here's my shifter with the toggle in it. it looks pretty normal, and it lights up when on. that's the easiest way to go.

Longhorn Man · 02-19-2006, 10:19 PM

Mat, that would be a rocker, but same idea though.

matthufham · 02-19-2006, 10:31 PM

or i could just call it a switch lol, thanks for correcting my terminology though.

70c10 · 02-20-2006, 10:16 AM

Matt- that looks cool. I have the same shifter and never have had backup lights. Let me get this straight, you just hooked up the 2 green wires to a rocker switch and "no use of a reverse switch" at all???.

70c10 · 02-21-2006, 12:26 AM

ttt

Longhorn Man · 02-21-2006, 06:10 AM

exactly like I described.

70c10 · 02-21-2006, 08:18 AM

Andy- are you saying to unplug the factory connector and just use wire connectors on the ends of your 2 new wires coming off the rocker switch??.

Longhorn Man · 02-21-2006, 06:14 PM

exactly

chevy_fatman · 02-22-2006, 09:57 PM

It looks like I need to do this to my 'horn!

02-19-2006, 08:10 PM	#1
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	reverse lights yet again okay i got a 71 c-10 long bed 3 speed in the floor was in the column but was converted anyway i have no back up lights and well a cop stoped me the other day backing out of a parking spacei see the switch on the cloumn but what is the best way to get the lights to work short of runing a hot wire to a toggle swithc to the lights? __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

02-19-2006, 08:22 PM	#2
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: revese lights yet again If you want something more sophisticated than a toggle switch you'll have to fab a simple angle iron bracket, get a brake light switch, bolt it to the trans. somehow and rig it to work with your transmission linkage. I know, easier said than done. With a little ingenuity it will work great. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

02-19-2006, 08:29 PM	#3
71chevytruckguy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 599	Re: revese lights yet again i didn't think the back up lights had to work here in NC. i know for inspection they don't, but if its a '71 or before, you don't have to get it inspected. if we do, im gonna have to rig up something for both my trucks. __________________ its a work in progess. 71 c-10 lwb, in the middle of frame off restoration. 69 c-10 swb, drag truck, 406 sbc, balanced, comp 292 cam, ported, polished, gasket matched, and bowl blended pro comp 210cc heads, 2.02/1.60 ferrea valves,1.6 roller rockers, re curved hei with msd 6al box, 2-step rev limter, accel 300+ wires, ported victor jr intake, holley 750 double pumper carb, dynomax 1 5/8 headers, 4 spd munci m-20 with super case and iron midplate, mr. gasket vertigate shifter, 5.38 pro gears with full spool, 33 spline moser axles and c-clip elimators, line-loc, 5 gal fuel cell, holley blue pump. 7.807 @ 88.37mph 1.60 60FT 80 g-20 van, tow rig, cammed 305, th350, 10 bolt 88 jeep wrangler, dd, 258, ax-15 swap, 4.5" lift, 33x12.50's, lockers, 3.55's

02-19-2006, 08:32 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: revese lights yet again Doing a toggle can be way easier and better than you describe. I run one on mine instead of relocating the switch when i converted to a van tilt. Mount your toggle where ever it is you want it, then run 2 small wires to the old back up harness. Plug one in one slot, the other in the other slot. No hacking, no butchering simple plug and play and can be fixed 'properly' later when the time, effort, money and the uge all happens at the same time. I would recomend a light or LED in the truck to notify you that the lights are on, or even a small beeper of sorts, it is easy to back up and forget they are on. You could even get an electronic flasher and wire it inline to the light or noise maker and have it a blinking light or noise maker. An added feature of doing it this way is you'll have some light when hooking up to a trailer at night, or working on something on the tailgate or what ever.

02-19-2006, 08:34 PM	#5
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: revese lights yet again i took the 2 green wires under the column and put them on a toggle (i have an automatic converted to an auto floor shift) now i can use the back up lights whenever i toggle them, which can be used for cargo lights too. i know you don't want to do that, so you might want to look into the backup/neautral safety switch that goes on the transmission. there's a part out there for you, but i havent looked into it.

02-19-2006, 08:54 PM	#6
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: revese lights yet again nope don't need the for inspection but the cop wanted to know why they didn't work told him i didn't need them acording to the inspection station but i guess i'll do the toggle switch since theres a hole already in the dash for one __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

02-19-2006, 09:39 PM	#7
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: revese lights yet again ? here. Does the old switch get it power from where? I mean what told it to turn on? The manual trans I have used in the past had a electric hook up on the side of the trans case. __________________ 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.

02-19-2006, 09:50 PM	#8
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: revese lights yet again my old trans had that had a switch on the side of the case but the one i now got don't __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

02-19-2006, 09:58 PM	#9
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: revese lights yet again here's my shifter with the toggle in it. it looks pretty normal, and it lights up when on. that's the easiest way to go.

02-19-2006, 10:19 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: revese lights yet again Mat, that would be a rocker, but same idea though.

02-19-2006, 10:31 PM	#11
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: revese lights yet again or i could just call it a switch lol, thanks for correcting my terminology though.

02-20-2006, 10:16 AM	#12
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: reverse lights yet again Matt- that looks cool. I have the same shifter and never have had backup lights. Let me get this straight, you just hooked up the 2 green wires to a rocker switch and "no use of a reverse switch" at all???. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads Last edited by 70c10; 02-21-2006 at 12:25 AM.

02-21-2006, 12:26 AM	#13
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: reverse lights yet again ttt __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

02-21-2006, 06:10 AM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: reverse lights yet again exactly like I described.

02-21-2006, 08:18 AM	#15
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: reverse lights yet again Andy- are you saying to unplug the factory connector and just use wire connectors on the ends of your 2 new wires coming off the rocker switch??. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads



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02-21-2006, 06:14 PM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: reverse lights yet again exactly

02-22-2006, 09:57 PM	#17
chevy_fatman Where's my beer? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I live in the state of denial.... Posts: 5,620	Re: reverse lights yet again It looks like I need to do this to my 'horn! __________________ Paul How do you make the invisible, visible?.........You take it away.

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