Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Steve Cole · 12-11-2015, 01:19 AM

So, after installing kick panel speakers, my high beam switch is no longer usable. I have done searches and found a thread where the high beam duties were transferred to a toggle switch mounted under the dash, but I like I personally like the idea of the foot switch so I am looking for ideas to relocate the foot switch to another area. I would love to see a bracket that bolts to the original foot switch holes, but moves the switch over to the right to make it usable. Can anyone share their
Switch relocation ideas?

Thanks, Steve

'68 Newtricks · 12-11-2015, 02:53 AM

do you have a link or description of the speaker pods you used? I'm wondering the same thing but have yet to pick out the pods.

Skinny Kid · 12-11-2015, 11:45 AM

Should be as simple as a short piece of flat bar to move it over slightly

Andy4639 · 12-11-2015, 02:33 PM

Most of the dimmer's I have worked with have 2 screws holding them to the floor. Just move it over and up are wherever is good for you while driving.

Steve Cole · 12-13-2015, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '68 Newtricks

do you have a link or description of the speaker pods you used? I'm wondering the same thing but have yet to pick out the pods.

Hi, I don't have a link or anything because they are homemade pods.

I still have not come up with a workable solution for my high beam switch, I would love to see what others are doing.

davepl · 12-11-2015, 02:41 PM

I went to the steering wheel stalk location for a while but kept getting my foot tangled in the steering wheel.

The only problem with moving it over is that it normally sits in a little recess, so you lose that and will feel the whole of the switch under the carpet, if that's a big deal. No pictures, but could you shim up the outside end of it and angle it inwards, or is it totally covered?

**Stocker** · 12-11-2015, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davepl

I went to the steering wheel stalk location for a while but kept getting my foot tangled in the steering wheel.

haysonj · 12-11-2015, 07:46 PM

I have been playing with this idea but the cheap switch that I got from LMC binds up and sticks

franken · 12-11-2015, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haysonj

I have been playing with this idea but the cheap switch that I got from LMC binds up and sticks

The stock switches are available at the local parts stores.
I suppose the OP could cut the indented bit out of the floor and weld it back in. The sensor idea is good too...

Andy4639 · 12-11-2015, 08:30 PM

The reason it binds is your pushing it at angle and not straight down.
So the cap that slides up and down is digging into the structure of the switch.

Maybe put some shims on the far drivers side of the switch to lean it towards the center of the truck would help!

Sklptrljay · 12-11-2015, 02:57 PM

Might look a little redneck-ish, but could you drill a hole to recess it in the kick panel, and just use the edge of your foot to switch it?

**michael bustamante** · 12-11-2015, 03:02 PM

i used the LMC kick panal 6" speaker holders and my switch barely cleared.
do you think maybe you could indent the floor where you would like to reposition the switch?

trac209 · 12-11-2015, 03:27 PM

My old 72 I had it under dash and would click it by hand but that was only because the floor was rusty where it was. Really the possibilities are endless of where it could go.

Andy4639 · 12-11-2015, 06:31 PM

You could hook a senor up like on high dollar cars that does it automatic for you.

If the panels have it blocked then you will never know about it being a dimple in the floor you will never see it.

**Boog** · 12-11-2015, 06:47 PM

I knew a fella once who hooked his horn to the dimmer switch. It worked fine but why i dont know. Just being different i guess.

pritch · 12-11-2015, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

I knew a fella once who hooked his horn to the dimmer switch. It worked fine but why i dont know. Just being different i guess.

I'd like to hook up my wipers up to it somehow for a one-wipe operation. I don't think I need it for a dimmer. I did an experiment. I drove for a whole year with my brights on and nobody noticed.

But I also think it would be fairly easy to hammer out a little recess to relocate it from the stock position.

davepl · 12-13-2015, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

I knew a fella once who hooked his horn to the dimmer switch. It worked fine but why i dont know. Just being different i guess.

I used the horn as the starter for a while, which was a handy anti-theft feature too in a way but it made a horrible grinding noise if you got cut off. No joke. Horn has a relay was my rationale, I suppose.

Steve Cole · 12-13-2015, 08:51 PM

Hey Sean,

Please document you install with pics, I'm sure many people would love to see what you did and how you did it!

Thanks, Steve

68c10airstream · 12-11-2015, 07:43 PM

Hi Steve, i was in the same boat after speaker pods. Removed dimmer switch and welded on a flat tab on the side. Only problem the switch was a little tougher to depress so i lubed the heck out of it and been pleased since.

sdwolff98 · 12-13-2015, 01:20 PM

Steve here is my take on that dimmer button I am doing away with it entirely. I got my hands on a 22 mm billet button from autoloc with a headlight symbol on it and wired it to a 5 pin relay setup to control my headlight dimmers I am mounting the button where my old cigarette lighter was at. still in the build process so is not installed yet but tested it and works pretty good

Sean

12-11-2015, 01:19 AM	#1
Steve Cole Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Faith,NC Posts: 1,626	Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas So, after installing kick panel speakers, my high beam switch is no longer usable. I have done searches and found a thread where the high beam duties were transferred to a toggle switch mounted under the dash, but I like I personally like the idea of the foot switch so I am looking for ideas to relocate the foot switch to another area. I would love to see a bracket that bolts to the original foot switch holes, but moves the switch over to the right to make it usable. Can anyone share their Switch relocation ideas? Thanks, Steve

12-11-2015, 02:53 AM	#2
'68 Newtricks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles area :( Posts: 499	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas do you have a link or description of the speaker pods you used? I'm wondering the same thing but have yet to pick out the pods. __________________ '68 C10 SWB '85 K30 Blazer

12-11-2015, 11:45 AM	#3
Skinny Kid Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 40	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas Should be as simple as a short piece of flat bar to move it over slightly __________________ 1971 Chevy Custom Camper/20, Hugger Orange with White Top 31,000 original miles (when purchased), 402, TH400, PS, PB, AC As of May 2017 it now has a turbo LS in it! (Still looks stock though)

12-11-2015, 02:33 PM	#4
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas Most of the dimmer's I have worked with have 2 screws holding them to the floor. Just move it over and up are wherever is good for you while driving. __________________ 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.

12-11-2015, 02:41 PM	#6
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,334	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas I went to the steering wheel stalk location for a while but kept getting my foot tangled in the steering wheel. The only problem with moving it over is that it normally sits in a little recess, so you lose that and will feel the whole of the switch under the carpet, if that's a big deal. No pictures, but could you shim up the outside end of it and angle it inwards, or is it totally covered? __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

12-11-2015, 07:46 PM	#8
haysonj Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santa Maria, Ca. Posts: 1,423	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas I have been playing with this idea but the cheap switch that I got from LMC binds up and sticks Attached Images __________________ 69 Chevy 4x4 383 Power

12-11-2015, 08:30 PM	#10
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas The reason it binds is your pushing it at angle and not straight down. So the cap that slides up and down is digging into the structure of the switch. Maybe put some shims on the far drivers side of the switch to lean it towards the center of the truck would help! __________________ 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.

12-11-2015, 02:57 PM	#11
Sklptrljay Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma Posts: 874	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas Might look a little redneck-ish, but could you drill a hole to recess it in the kick panel, and just use the edge of your foot to switch it? __________________ 1971 C/10 SWB, 15x8 Rallys, 4.5" X 7" static drop, C-notched, 350/350, 3.73 Posi. .........A 383 and Gear Vendors are on my bucket list. 1972 GMC 4X4 K1500 Survivor - Sold No matter what problems life throws at you, your time on Earth can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.....if you just lower your expectations. -Phil Dunphy

12-11-2015, 03:02 PM	#12
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,878	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas i used the LMC kick panal 6" speaker holders and my switch barely cleared. do you think maybe you could indent the floor where you would like to reposition the switch? __________________ 1967custom

12-11-2015, 03:27 PM	#13
trac209 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: winnipeg Posts: 1,107	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas My old 72 I had it under dash and would click it by hand but that was only because the floor was rusty where it was. Really the possibilities are endless of where it could go.

12-11-2015, 06:31 PM	#14
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas You could hook a senor up like on high dollar cars that does it automatic for you. If the panels have it blocked then you will never know about it being a dimple in the floor you will never see it. __________________ 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.

12-11-2015, 06:47 PM	#15
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,683	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas I knew a fella once who hooked his horn to the dimmer switch. It worked fine but why i dont know. Just being different i guess. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

12-13-2015, 08:51 PM	#18
Steve Cole Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Faith,NC Posts: 1,626	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas Hey Sean, Please document you install with pics, I'm sure many people would love to see what you did and how you did it! Thanks, Steve

12-11-2015, 07:43 PM	#19
68c10airstream Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Marquette michigan Posts: 828	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas Hi Steve, i was in the same boat after speaker pods. Removed dimmer switch and welded on a flat tab on the side. Only problem the switch was a little tougher to depress so i lubed the heck out of it and been pleased since.

12-13-2015, 01:20 PM	#20
sdwolff98 Turning Wrenches Daily Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gladewater Texas Posts: 1,130	Re: Hi-Beam switch relocation ideas Steve here is my take on that dimmer button I am doing away with it entirely. I got my hands on a 22 mm billet button from autoloc with a headlight symbol on it and wired it to a 5 pin relay setup to control my headlight dimmers I am mounting the button where my old cigarette lighter was at. still in the build process so is not installed yet but tested it and works pretty good Sean Attached Images __________________ Work! Play! Work work work! Money to play with. 64 GMC, 66 burb 4x4, and now 64 1ton money pits......ahhh life is good. Upcoming move back to Texas Dallas bound we are this september!!! 1964 GMC I1500 2wd (my baby) 8.1 allison 6 spd conversion Aka Smurf http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=438342 2016 Ram Big Horn 4WD parts hauler 2010 Chevy HHR wife new car after the circled problem blew up!!! 1981 Ram D150 /6 auto Wife's sunday driver Living outside Gladewater Texas now working in Longview at the hospital there future project toys: 1966 Chevy K14 carryall aka Smurfette future project 283/auto overdrive http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551867



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.