Reverse light options

[83Stepper]

I've been doing some research but nobody has really discussed this here, so here it goes...

My 83 stepside was originally a 4.1 and a 3 speed Saginaw on the tree and has been moved to a floor shift. Yes I know the backup switch is on the column, but need an option to move the functionality to the floor shifter. What options are those of you who have done this using? Looked at some spring pull switches for street bikes etc as a possibility. Can't use a toggle switch because my state inspection requires it to be an automated process for the backup/reverse lights to turn off and turn on. Basically looking for something that doesn't need a lot of fabrication work to make it happen. Trying to be as minimally invasive as I can, aka just being lazy lol.

Thanks!

 

[legopnuematic]

What shifter do you have?

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[83Stepper]

What shifter do you have?

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Old school Daytona shifter like below. Saw the Holley switch as an option, but with the way the shifter mounts to the trans, the bracket just unfortunately wouldn't work for my application.

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[Keith Seymore]

I'm out, because I used a toggle switch.

The thing I liked about the toggle is I could flip the lights on for doing stuff around back in the dark, like hooking up the trailer.

K

 

[DoubleDingo]

I am suggesting a toggle switch for the win

 

[Grit dog]

I am suggesting a toggle switch for the win

Except that doesn’t work for the OP as stated.

 

[83Stepper]

I'm out, because I used a toggle switch.

The thing I liked about the toggle is I could flip the lights on for doing stuff around back in the dark, like hooking up the trailer.

K

I am suggesting a toggle switch for the win

Would love to have that option, but state inspector says that's a no-no . Lights must be able to turn on/off when going in to and out of reverse. Plus the fact that everything is being audio and video recorded, makes those little slips that much harder to get by with now.

 

[Rickf]

Find a different inspection station. I may know of one in the 508 area code.
Read up on Mass. 540CMR 4.04 (10)(d) there is no mention of how they work, only that they must work.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Would love to have that option, but state inspector says that's a no-no . Lights must be able to turn on/off when going in to and out of reverse. Plus the fact that everything is being audio and video recorded, makes those little slips that much harder to get by with now.

Do you still have a saginaw transmission? the transmission you would otherwise have swapped to would have a switch on it for the backup lights

 

[AuroraGirl]

Find a different inspection station. I may know of one in the 508 area code.
Read up on Mass. 540CMR 4.04 (10)(d) there is no mention of how they work, only that they must work.

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maybe they are expecting him to meet the higher standard the federal government has, which doesnt say automatically but it would infer that use of the reverse gear is the action which illuminates it , while its on
the not energized while moving forward would indicate that being in neutral or forward you cant have it on while moving forward
so you couldnt rely on manually turning on

BUt you can be in "reverse" gear while moving forward and simply not releasing the clutch(perhaps waiting to roll to a stop or you are about to brake) , so that could be argued i guess

 

[DoubleDingo]

Except that doesn’t work for the OP as stated.

Well dagummit I was working and took a quick break and didn't fully read it. Ooops. Yep, no toggle for OP.

Have to rig up some sort of bracket and switch.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Would love to have that option, but state inspector says that's a no-no . Lights must be able to turn on/off when going in to and out of reverse. Plus the fact that everything is being audio and video recorded, makes those little slips that much harder to get by with now.

I quickly scanned and completely missed the inspection part.

 

[Sad Sack]

I would suggest jerry-rigging in a pressure or micro-switch on the reverse throw..

 

[Ricko1966]

Use a spring loaded pull type switch hook it to the 1st reverse shift lever at the transmission. Use something flexible like fishing line as your pull wire so it doesn't bind when you go to 1st.

 

[83Stepper]

Thanks all. In Central Mass and yeah, the guy I go to does commercial inspections as well, might be them just making it match. Buddy that does state inspections in Hingham mentioned the same.

Do you still have a saginaw transmission? the transmission you would otherwise have swapped to would have a switch on it for the backup lights

I do, and the oem switch is still at the base of the column. Manual shift Lever was removed from the column so no dual shifter action available.

Going with a street bike reverse switch and spring setup. Just need it to be functional for 10 mins. Friend of mine who has a few Model A and Model T's use these all the time and swears by them.

Thanks again to all who commented and helped