RE: [ihc] reverse switch retrofit?

["Mac McMuffin" <mac@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

## >> > Of course, this leads me to remember that a '60 B-130 doesn't have a
## >> > reverse light switch.  Are there any easy retrofits for
## >> this? I'm familiar
## >> > with some of the speedo-cable-triggered reverse switches
## >> used on 66-back
## >> > VW's, (but I my bus I put a '67 nosecone on the transaxle,
## >> which has a
## >> > switch boss already), and something like that is probably an option.
## >> >
## >> > Any thoughts on this?
## >> >
## >>
## >> Put in a toggle switch.... really easy!

that's what i'd do if i had backup lights on my B122.  the bumper doesn't
have any, the truck never had any when it was new...  and i never put any on
it when it became mine.  but if i were going to do this (and eventually i
probably will), i'd just mount a switch on the dash, probably above the
shifter.  both my '71 Chevy C/10 and the '72 TravelAll 1110 have this kind
of switch (both are toggles) in the dash for backup lights--right above the
floor shifter for the Chevy, right above the tranny hump for the TravelAll
(the other TravelAll's backup tranny switch still works).

i have no idea if there is an available transmission switch for the older
transmissions found in the B series trucks.  i have pictures of my old T98
four-speed, and i don't see anyplace to mount such a switch.  maybe somebody
else who has one of these trucks will chime in and say whether any of these
had a switch, and if so, where it is located.

## >> > Oh!  And my dome light.  Stupid question time here. :)
## >> There appears to
## >> > be a dome light in the cab of the b-130...but I haven't
## >> figured out how to
## >> > turn it on. :)  No switches apparent on the doors, no unidentified
## >> > switches on the dash, and spinning the headlight knob around to it's
## >> > extremes doesn't seem to kick it on...nor do I feel
## >> anything that would
## >> > indicate this to be the correct method..
## >> >
## >> > What's the "correct" method for turning this light on?  (I could
## >> > have a dead switch or bulb..but I want to be sure I'm not
## >> missing the
## >> > switch, before I try to pull that fragile looking lense)
## >> >
## >> > thanks guys.
## >> >
## >>
## >> Broken headlight switch maybe?   This is a Mac question
## >> though, since he has
## >> one...

my B122 does not have an interior dome light (the light punch-out is there,
but it hasn't been punched out).  it does, however, have the correct
headlight switch for it (spin the pull handle to turn it on and control dash
dimmer).  the little connector on the switch is even marked on my wiring
diagrams for the dome light...  so if i had one, that's how it would be
wired.  both of my '72 TravelAlls and the C/10 Chevy all have this kind of
switch on the headlight switch for the dome light, too.  or rather, the 1110
would have it if it didn't have an aftermarket lightswitch that doesn't have
dash dimmer or dome controls.  there's another toggle for the dome lights,
though eventually i'm going to get another of the correct switch for the
lights and put the dome back where it belongs.

i'd check the dome light bulb and see if it's any good, and while you have
the lens off, check the bulb contacts for power.  hook up a multimeter to it
and see if you get any power there when spinning the lightswitch handle
around.  if you don't even get any power, either it's not hooked up or the
switch has a problem.  if you have the original headlight switch, those are
fairly easy to take apart and clean up and rebuild.  i had to do that with
my B122 switch when i first got it.  NOTHING worked in it, so i took it
apart, cleaned it up, fixed a broken internal contact, and it works great
now.

the usual nickel/grain of salt disclaimer

--Mac

---------------------------------------------------------------
Take care and be well, all thee and thine;

May the Hamr lend thee Strength and Courage,
May the Twin Ravens lend thee Wisdom and Guidance,
May the Wolves Guard and Protect thee, and
May the Light of Harmony ever shine brightly upon thee and thine,
Through all thy Life's Journeys, from this life unto the next!

Hail the Gods and Goddesses of our Folk!
Wassail!

Krystof "Mac" MacBryghde
TyrGothi

http://master.triad.ath.cx/
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