location of reverse switch on a 74 3 speed floor swap

[walkerb]

Im trying to figure out where/how the reverse switch mounts on a 3 speed saginaw for a 74 stepside.

The PO did a column to floor swap and did nothing with the reverse lights.

Im figuring that it mounts to the top of the tranny ahead of the shifter in the reverse gear position?

Any one have a picture of one mounted? I dont even know what it would look like.

Thanks ahead of time

[geezer#99]

It won't be on the tranny. Likely on the steering column down close to the floor end. On the top side of the tube. Unless someone removed it. If you still have the shifter collar on the column turn it upwards and see if your backup lights work.

[walkerb]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

It won't be on the tranny. Likely on the steering column down close to the floor end. On the top side of the tube. Unless someone removed it. If you still have the shifter collar on the column turn it upwards and see if your backup lights work.

Are you saying that trucks with a floor shifter from the factory had the reverse light switch on the column also?

Its still there at the bottom, Ill try to move that collar and see if they come on. Thanks

I just got all my tail lights working last weekend (amazing what a ground strap will do) and just want her working 100%.

[geezer#99]

Factory floor shift trucks had granny low 4 speeds. Reverse light switch was on the tranny.
Was yours a 3 on the tree?

[walkerb]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Factory floor shift trucks had granny low 4 speeds. Reverse light switch was on the tranny.
Was yours a 3 on the tree?

Ahh, got it. Yes it was a column shift. So with that said, what and how would I wire the reverse switch to the saginaw?

So now I need to adapt/find a reverse switch for the saginaw tranny and not a stock chevy truck from the 70. Would something from an 80's work?

Thanks

[geezer#99]

I had a 74 swb stepper with the same problem way back in 1977. I built a bracket and installed a push button type switch that was contacted by the reverse arm on the tranny. Pulled the wires off the switch on the column and hooked them to the switch. When I put it in reverse the shifter arm pushed in the switch and backup lights worked.
You could do one similiar.
My shifter was an old Indy universal type with brackets to mount it to the tranny.
What shifter you got?
I know a trick or two how to keep them shifting good forever too.

[walkerb]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

I had a 74 swb stepper with the same problem way back in 1977. I built a bracket and installed a push button type switch that was contacted by the reverse arm on the tranny. Pulled the wires off the switch on the column and hooked them to the switch. When I put it in reverse the shifter arm pushed in the switch and backup lights worked.
You could do one similiar.
My shifter was an old Indy universal type with brackets to mount it to the tranny.
What shifter you got?
I know a trick or two how to keep them shifting good forever too.

Im thinking I got what you had

[geezer#99]

That's the same one.
They get sloppy after a bit. The cure.
That thru bolt that goes thru the shifter housing and arms is what I fixed. It runs on thru into the bracket and the instructions say to use a lockwasher to hold it in place. Doesn't work. Nut backs off and shifter gets sloppy. When you get it together and snug up the long thru bolt then drill a hole right thru the nut and the bolt. Put a small cotter pin in and it'll never get loose again. After you've run it a while pull the cotter pin out and turn the nut one more turn and install the cotter pin again. It'll run forever like that.

[jricharc]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

That's the same one.
They get sloppy after a bit. The cure.
That thru bolt that goes thru the shifter housing and arms is what I fixed. It runs on thru into the bracket and the instructions say to use a lockwasher to hold it in place. Doesn't work. Nut backs off and shifter gets sloppy. When you get it together and snug up the long thru bolt then drill a hole right thru the nut and the bolt. Put a small cotter pin in and it'll never get loose again. After you've run it a while pull the cotter pin out and turn the nut one more turn and install the cotter pin again. It'll run forever like that.

The bolt that you are talking about is that under the floor or can you access it from in the cab? I just picked up an '86 with the same conversion and it's sloppy.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by jricharc

The bolt that you are talking about is that under the floor or can you access it from in the cab? I just picked up an '86 with the same conversion and it's sloppy.

Likely only accessible under the cab unless someone cut a big hole in the floor to install the shifter.