3OTT Saginaw converted to Indy floor shifter - How to get backup lights working?

[Yamariv]

I've been working on cleaning up leaks in my Saginaw Tranny lately and I'm wondering what would be the easiest way to get my reverse lights working again?

I understand that the lights were originally connected on the column to a switch, connected to light and dark green wires. In my research, looks like the 4 speed tranny's had a switch right on the transmission that gets bumped closed when the reverse gear is selected. Is that switch possible to add to a Saginaw 3 speed? I've attached a picture also, there an opening that's plugged up that I've circled, anyone know what that opening is for?

Thx!

[angusmac]

I made a bracket and installed a switch that gets bumped in reverse. I would love to have you're Three on the tree linkage though....

[RichardJ]

Is that a plug or a switch? As that is the 2-3 shift shaft it could have had a TCS switch for emissions when in 3rd gear.
You'll need to mount a micro-switch near the 1st-rev shift arm for your backup lights.

[Yamariv]

Originally Posted by angusmac

I made a bracket and installed a switch that gets bumped in reverse. I would love to have you're Three on the tree linkage though....

Any chance you could post some pics of how you did it? How does the wiring hook up?

The conversion to the floor shift was done along time ago before I go the truck, no linkage for the old 3OTT unfortunately

[Yamariv]

Originally Posted by RichardJ

Is that a plug or a switch? As that is the 2-3 shift shaft it could have had a TCS switch for emissions when in 3rd gear.
You'll need to mount a micro-switch near the 1st-rev shift arm for your backup lights.

Darn, if that's the 2nd/3rd gear shaft then its for sure for the darn TCS. I just finished removing all the wires and solenoids for that system under my hood. Be gone! Lol

As for the plug, I was hoping it was a spot that I could add a reverse switch to. It looks like the hole is plugged with a cap.

[geezer#99]

That’s the ground switch for the tcs.
You’ll need to leave it there.
IIRC you can’t replace it with a normal plug. Different threads and thread pitch.


Tcs wasn’t a bad thing for me. Came in handy to only have vac advance come in during highway cruise. Could optimize my timing curve without adding the timing variable of a vac pot.
Worked great on my LS7 and LS6.

[72SB]

Is the switch, 1 wire IIRC, that is on the DS, forward on the Saginaw 3 speed the "TCS" switch or the BU light switch?

I ask because I have one on my 3OTT Saginaw 72. I just assumed it's the BU light switch. My BU lights work

[Palf70Step]

On my old truck, my 64, I just said to heck with it and put a lighted Toggle to activate backup lights. I just tapped into a switched ign source and had it installed next to my wiper switch. Nice blue lite in switch let me know they were on.

[RustyPile]

Some conversion shifters had hole in the rear of shifter housing. This hole lined up with the first/reverse lever. A momentary switch could be mounted in that hole and wired to the back-up lights. Check your shifter, you may have that provision.

[Yamariv]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

Some conversion shifters had hole in the rear of shifter housing. This hole lined up with the first/reverse lever. A momentary switch could be mounted in that hole and wired to the back-up lights. Check your shifter, you may have that provision.

Oh wow, didn't know that!! I'll check it out, thanks

[angusmac]

Originally Posted by Yamariv

Any chance you could post some pics of how you did it? How does the wiring hook up?

The conversion to the floor shift was done along time ago before I go the truck, no linkage for the old 3OTT unfortunately

Darn it! I no longer have the truck or I would be happy to! Sorry

[Yamariv]

Originally Posted by angusmac

Darn it! I no longer have the truck or I would be happy to! Sorry

No Problem!