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Old 12-24-2016, 10:56 PM   #1
DaWizard
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Default Show of hands

I am just wondering how many of you folk out there are going to be upset when I take a trans top and drill and tap a hole and install a Reverse switch?

Sure will be nice when I have a back up light to go with my backup camera.

I just had another thought, how many of you out there are going to want me to install a reverse switch in YOUR tranny top?
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Old 12-24-2016, 11:17 PM   #2
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Default Re: Show of hands

The car is not publicly owned, so why should someone be upset no matter what you do to your car. That said, I think it is a great idea.
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Old 12-24-2016, 11:29 PM   #3
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Default Re: Show of hands

How often do you drive at night?
You should be able to use the existing trans top bolts to Mac Guyver a bracket to secure the switch, without having to remove the top, drill and tap.
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Old 12-24-2016, 11:33 PM   #4
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Default Re: Show of hands

I would be terribly upset !

I own the Patent rights to the procedure you describe.
Patent Number 1928Bogus8291XX, of February 30, 1943.

Any infringement on my Patent will result in severe annoyance,
and may result in significant amounts of wailing by my staff of 1931 Lawyers.






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Old 12-24-2016, 11:41 PM   #5
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Default Re: Show of hands

Quote:
Originally Posted by Floats View Post
How often do you drive at night?
You should be able to use the existing trans top bolts to Mac Guyver a bracket to secure the switch, without having to remove the top, drill and tap.
Since I am making this my primary daily driver, I suspect I will be driving at all hours, not to mention, after our weekly cruise nights that usually end after dark.

I am not so sure I could "Mac Guyver" something that wouldn't stick way up and out of the floorboard and look like hell, and frankly, with my background as a machinist I would be laughed at by my friends who know what I am capable of engineering. I think I will just poke a hole in the back of the top where the reverse slider moves back into the notched position. Besides, with the hole threaded I can get a precise distance and get it sealed so I don't anticipate any leakage.
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Old 12-24-2016, 11:52 PM   #6
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Default Re: Show of hands

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I already have one in my Pickup.

Here's my backup lights:
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File Type: jpg DSCN1246.JPG (135.7 KB, 231 views)
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Old 12-24-2016, 11:57 PM   #7
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Default Re: Show of hands

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Originally Posted by CarlG View Post
I already have one in my Pickup.

Here's my backup lights:
Nicely done. Where did you put the switch?

No wait, let me guess.......under the dash?
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Old 12-24-2016, 11:59 PM   #8
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Default Re: Show of hands

FWIW: We can never be too safe.

In some cases, a "Life Safety" decision for a Model A backup light and a Model A backup camera could be evaluated with a simple equation based on how flexible is the neck of the Model A driver.

Not much different from weighing in on Model A "Life Safety" features such as Model A seat belts, Model A turn signals, Model A rear window light, and/or having good Model A brakes.

Never mind what others think when considering "Life Safety" ...... do what you feel is best.
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Old 12-25-2016, 12:11 AM   #9
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Thumbs up Re: Show of hands

for some reason my daily truck's back up lights have never worked. But I have gotten used to seeing in the red light of tails. Hadn't thought about it much but Im in a rural area and when its dark its usually really dark. And also I dont do a lot of night driving. And have a driveway where you back right out to the street. Show what you come up with and how it works. and some may send you some work to do. I would bet some people would like backup lights. Especially if they use their mirrors. For some reason I dont trust them and just crane my kneck.
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Old 12-25-2016, 12:15 AM   #10
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Default Re: Show of hands

Quote:
Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin View Post
FWIW: We can never be too safe.

In some cases, a "Life Safety" decision for a Model A backup light and a Model A backup camera could be evaluated with a simple equation based on how flexible is the neck of the Model A driver.

Not much different from weighing in on Model A "Life Safety" features such as Model A seat belts, Model A turn signals, Model A rear window light, and/or having good Model A brakes.

Never mind what others think when considering "Life Safety" ...... do what you feel is best.
Oh, I am definitely working on the project. I will try to keep a photo record for all to see. It should be a simple enough operation, the only problem I foresee is not having enough throw to get the switch close enough to the back of the top to avoid removing material from the u-joint housing bolts. But if push comes to shove, I have the thought of removing a wee bit of slide shaft, or that not withstanding, drill the end of the slide shaft enough to give me the extra room needed, if indeed, it is needed.

We will see since I plan on starting this next week since I now have all the parts needed.
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Old 12-25-2016, 12:48 AM   #11
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Default Re: Show of hands

Use a relay, then you can ground the relay by using a piece of solid 10 gauge copper wire mounted to a cover bolt. Bend the wire so it stays close to the cover tower, but touches the shift lever when it's moved to the left and forward. No drilling, welding, or cutting, and it wouldn't be noticed. When the lever touches the wire it will ground the coil for the relay and send power to the B/U lights.
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Old 12-25-2016, 12:51 AM   #12
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Default Re: Show of hands

It's your car and if you think it is necessary and it will get you on the road, go ahead. Let us know how it works out. Could make a good article for one or both of the national magazines. Take pictures, notes, and detailed measurements. Please post your results.
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Old 12-25-2016, 12:54 AM   #13
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Default Re: Show of hands

ahh like the riding mower safety device I always disable ( shorts out sparkplug if blades are engaged and the reverse lever hits a metal contact and grounds out.
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Old 12-25-2016, 01:04 AM   #14
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Default Re: Show of hands

You could also just use a hose clamp and micro switch fastened to the side of the tower, and the shift lever would only push the lever on the micro switch when it's shifted left and forward. Throw a rubber boot over it, and no one will know.
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Old 12-25-2016, 05:38 AM   #15
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Default Re: Show of hands

Do these 1931 lawyers have indented dashes?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DougVieyra View Post
I would be terribly upset !

I own the Patent rights to the procedure you describe.
Patent Number 1928Bogus8291XX, of February 30, 1943.

Any infringement on my Patent will result in severe annoyance,
and may result in significant amounts of wailing by my staff of 1931 Lawyers.






Put me down for two units.
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Old 12-25-2016, 08:13 AM   #16
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Default Re: Show of hands

The truth is that nobody really cares what you do with your car! It's yours so do whatever you want! Case closed. Wayne
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Old 12-25-2016, 08:18 AM   #17
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Default Re: Show of hands

Vince, thanks for the link. So if you take a Mitchell Trans shaft seal plate, and drill and tap a hole in the right tunnel and screw a normally open pressure switch in far enough to make contact, it will turn on the backup light.
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Old 12-25-2016, 09:33 AM   #18
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Default Re: Show of hands

A more period correct way would be holding a flash light out the window.
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Old 12-25-2016, 09:42 AM   #19
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Default Re: Show of hands

If you are concerned about the sacrilege of irreversibly modifying an original part, I wouldn't sweat it. It's not a rare part and if it concerns you, I have one that I will GIVE you so you can always put it back original later if you like. Personally (not that it matters), I like your idea of making a nice clean professional looking job (even though it will be unseen) rather than Macyvering something. A bigger issue for me would be mounting backup lights that don't detract from the looks of the car but, again, that's just my personal opinion and that is irrelevant.
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Old 12-25-2016, 09:54 AM   #20
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Default Re: Show of hands

Quote:
Originally Posted by captndan View Post
A more period correct way would be holding a flash light out the window.
In the late 70's I was driving in western Minnesota when the fog became so thick you could only see about 200 feet. All of a sudden I was rounding a long uphill curve and see an old Ford station wagon with no lights on. The driver is hanging his head and flashlight out the window.
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