47-55.1 light switch - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**JDarby** · 03-20-2026, 05:42 PM

All,

Did you us your old light switch on your rebuilds,
or did you buy new? I'm good on electronics, if you ask me
what is a good switch it's C&K ordered from Newark, Allied, etc.

But this type switch I do not know?

Thanks,
JDarby

leegreen · 03-20-2026, 10:20 PM

I used my 1952 original switch, just for lights. Headlights are on a relay, did not use the built in fuse or the accessory power terminals. The rheostat portion was toast so I have a separate PWM dimmer for instruments. The switch itself works perfectly.

**mr48chev** · 03-21-2026, 04:59 AM

I used a light switch out of a mid 70's donor because I made a custom dash for mine.

I'm a big proponent of relays on lights and accessories when you swap a 6 volt truck to 12 volt or add high wattage Halogen headlights on a 12 volt truck.

**JDarby** · 03-21-2026, 05:45 PM

I like to use relays when ever possible especially with heavy loads!

**mr48chev** · 03-21-2026, 07:34 PM

My 71 GMC is the prime case for relays. I was burning out a dimmer switch every few months with the H-4 Halogen headlights that I run until I added a pair of relays. It just makes it less stressful for switches and wiring with high draw items on the end of the line.

03-20-2026, 05:42 PM	#1
JDarby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: PLANO, TX Posts: 249	light switch All, Did you us your old light switch on your rebuilds, or did you buy new? I'm good on electronics, if you ask me what is a good switch it's C&K ordered from Newark, Allied, etc. But this type switch I do not know? Thanks, JDarby __________________ 1955.1 GMC 100 RestOMod 1972 T120RV 1967 C200 Trail 90 2014 TRD Quad CAB

03-20-2026, 10:20 PM	#2
leegreen Registered User Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Surrey BC Posts: 1,397	Re: light switch I used my 1952 original switch, just for lights. Headlights are on a relay, did not use the built in fuse or the accessory power terminals. The rheostat portion was toast so I have a separate PWM dimmer for instruments. The switch itself works perfectly.

03-21-2026, 04:59 AM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 16,391	Re: light switch I used a light switch out of a mid 70's donor because I made a custom dash for mine. I'm a big proponent of relays on lights and accessories when you swap a 6 volt truck to 12 volt or add high wattage Halogen headlights on a 12 volt truck. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-21-2026, 05:45 PM	#4
JDarby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: PLANO, TX Posts: 249	Re: light switch I like to use relays when ever possible especially with heavy loads! __________________ 1955.1 GMC 100 RestOMod 1972 T120RV 1967 C200 Trail 90 2014 TRD Quad CAB

03-21-2026, 07:34 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 16,391	Re: light switch My 71 GMC is the prime case for relays. I was burning out a dimmer switch every few months with the H-4 Halogen headlights that I run until I added a pair of relays. It just makes it less stressful for switches and wiring with high draw items on the end of the line. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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