courtesy lite switch location

[RodnRudy]

I'm going to put courtesy lights in my 68 and I need a dimension from someone out there in truck land who has the switches in their A pillars. I need to know how far down from the bottom of the top hinge the hole for the switch goes. I've added a couple pics to show you what I'm talking about. I'll trim the patch piece down and weld it in my A pillar. Also I need to know about where to drill the hole in the kick panel for the wire to run through. Thanks to those who respond.

[RodnRudy]

Maybe I should have titled the post Door Jam Switch to get some replies?

[Undone]

2 1/2 Inches down from bottom of hinge and 3 1/2 inches in from edge of door opening just under edge of dash.

[RodnRudy]

Originally Posted by Undone

2 1/2 Inches down from bottom of hinge and 3 1/2 inches in from edge of door opening just under edge of dash.

Undone you done good. Thanks much

[custom10nut]

Subscribed. Good info for future use

[RodnRudy]

I picked up a couple of door jam switches at Auto Zone this morning. Part # is SW101 They have a 3/8 24 thread and screw right into the holes in my patch pieces. Gonna start the A pillar patch process tomorrow and I'll take pics as I go and post them up.

[RodnRudy]

I got busy today and put the jam switch patch in the driver side A pillar. Located it 2 1/2" down from the bottom of the hinge as Undone said and it looks factory to me. I trimmed the patch down then traced around it on the pillar. I used a thin cut off wheel to make the cuts in the pillar then did the final fitment of the patch. Held the patch in place with some magnets and tacked it in. Welded it up and metal finished it. I'll use a little body filler then spot paint it in. Now on to the passenger side.

[RodnRudy]

I used a 3/8 24 bolt and jam nut to hold the patch in place while I did the fitment. If it would of fallen down in the pillar I might not have gotten it out. Last pic is the door jam switch from Auto Zone, $7.00 each.

[68 P.O.S.]

What is the reasoning behind welding in a patch panel?

[RodnRudy]

Well the A pillar is angled in that area and the switch would be angled as well. So when the door is closed the front of it could hit the switch at an angle and bend it. I think that's why GM put the raised pad on the pillar on later trucks when they became standard. That's just my theory but there's a reason GM did it. My truck's a 68 so it didn't have courtesy lights just the dome lamp.

[68 P.O.S.]

Ahh, ok. Got it, makes sense now. Was just curious because my truck came with those and all the factory did was drill a hole in the A pillar and thread the switch into it. I thought you were doing waaaaaaay more work than you needed to lol. Will the raised pad interfere with the door operation?

[RodnRudy]

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

Ahh, ok. Got it, makes sense now. Was just curious because my truck came with those and all the factory did was drill a hole in the A pillar and thread the switch into it. I thought you were doing waaaaaaay more work than you needed to lol. Will the raised pad interfere with the door operation?

No all it does is put the head of the switch parallel with the front edge of the door so when you close the door the switch is pushed straight in. When you close the door for the first time with a new switch the switch is compressed and takes a set to allow for the gap between the pillar and door.

[elf w/capital T]

Booyah, very nice!

[Metaldoc]

I'm about to make aluminum bosses for my door jam switches for the same reason. I was looking for the hole local. Thanks.