What is this? Asking for a friend

[dsteelejr]

My buddy has a ‘78 that’s been Frankensteined by POs. Hes doing a steering column swap and asked me what this is. My guess is a brake light switch, but wires are wrong color. Any ideas?

 

[DoubleDingo]

I was leaning towards brake light switch, unless it's for the e-brake light

 

[Ricko1966]

Does the truck have cruise control?

 

[squaredeal91]

Definitely looks like brake pedal switch but I thought that was orange and black wire??

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Could be the brake light switch for a truck with cruise control. I remember seeing those, back when square body trucks were fairly new(in my parts store days).

 

[dsteelejr]

Does the truck have cruise control?

I don’t think the truck did. It’s a ‘78 and as far as I know cruise came out in the 81+ years, correct me if I’m wrong. But the column was out of an ‘86 and may have been in a truck with cruise.

 

[dsteelejr]

Definitely looks like brake pedal switch but I thought that was orange and black wire??

Orange for the power feed into the switch and white for the switched power to active the brakes lights

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I don’t think the truck did. It’s a ‘78 and as far as I know cruise came out in the 81+ years, correct me if I’m wrong. But the column was out of an ‘86 and may have been in a truck with cruise.

My 79 had factory cruise. My 84 with a 700r4 has two brake light switches if I remember right. One for lights and one for torque converter lockup control/cruise.

Is the brake light switch in place?

The truck could have had a th350c which has a locking torque converter.

 

[dsteelejr]

My 79 had factory cruise. My 84 with a 700r4 has two brake light switches if I remember right. One for lights and one for torque converter lockup control/cruise.

Is the brake light switch in place?

The truck could have had a th350c which has a locking torque converter.

Not sure what transmission he had, but I’ll bet you’re right, it’s probably for cruise control and possibly lock up torque converter

 

[tenthirtytwo]

Perhaps an E brake dash light switch?

 

[Turbo4whl]

Torque converter lock defeat switch? Unlocks the converter, when you apply the brakes.

 

[85 red GMC]

I don’t think the truck did. It’s a ‘78 and as far as I know cruise came out in the 81+ years, correct me if I’m wrong. But the column was out of an ‘86 and may have been in a truck with cruise.

Hello Was this switch linked to the hood release? No lights come on when you pop the hood And I don't think our older trucks have a warning light when hood is in half way mode. About the cruise, I was thinking our new 1979 Jimmy had cruise control but after this many years and now having an 85 pickup with cruise, I might be mistaken. Good luck figuring it out

 

[plumtruckerd]

Is it an auto or stick? If a stick, could it be the safety switch that makes you depress the clutch for it to start? Not sure what they look like, and what years they are on, my 86 doesn't have one.

 

[tanis_46]

the curise came out in 76. and it does have a switch similiar to the brake switch. it disables the cruise when you hit the brake.
if memory serves me correctly they where only in the higher package trucks. but i've owned a 76 and a 77.