wiring a toggle as a turn signal switch

Heres the deal, I dont want to clutter up the column on my 51 fleetline with an old plastic school bus type turn signal switch (UGLY!) I also dont want to put on a billet limeworks one even though they are quite nice, I think billet would ruin the period perfect early 50's theme I am going with.

SO! How can I wire in a toggle switch under the dash so that its nice and clean, I dont really understand where to draw my power from (the brakelight switch?) and how the flasher wiring would work and how I could make a flasher work with a toggle.

ALSO, I am keeping the car 6 volt. I feel that where I live it is neccesary safety equipment because people here do not understand hand signals, or pay attention to their driving because they are talking/texting on their phones or other such things.

 

you need something like this:
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000021a~Z5Z5Z557751~P180.00~~~~S2T91D8QB817367214614x~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000021x

don't motor cycle have signals that work that way too?

or something like this:
http://www.ronfrancis.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RP-1

or this:
http://www.modeltford.com/item/T-SIGN-H6.aspx

just google "hidden turn signal"
hope this helps

 

http://www.nationaltbucketalliance.com/tech_info/electrical/turnsig/turnsignals.asp

 

Yeah thats interesting but hows it work, I want to do it myself and not see the wiring. 6 volt NEG ground on chevs.

 

thanks adjustablejohnsons! Looks like if I use a 12 pole 3 position switch I can do it, great description of the wiring, the thing that concers me is the flasher, what does the wiring look like at the flasher and what can I use for a housing

 

that looks like what he's asking for......

 

Get a factory turn signal switch from a 50-52 Chevy.... They come with a metal trough that covers the wires that run down the column.. and the little rubber wheel on the back rides on the stering wheel to cancel them outafter you've turned.

Can't get more period correct than that plus they aren't bulky.

Billy

 

personally, that's what I would do.

 

another one that agrees with this one!!!

 

I just did one of these on a friend's T-bucket--it's a small toggle switch,and you have to solder the wires onto the switch.The switch works great--works just like a regular signal switch: it cancels the brake light on the side that's turning.C&K Componants makes the switch,but they never seem to have them--a company called Digi-Key has em--part # CKN1139-ND--they show over 200 in stock! Not cheap---like $17:00,but it works--

 

if you were to use one of those aftermarket ones, who says it needs to mount to the column?. my old truck had one, I was always leaving the damn thing on..looked like an old man. this time I punked out and got an aftermarket colum. made everything a sinch

 

i have the Ron Francis switch under the dash, works great unless as stated you forget it's on, which I do pretty regularly, just need to get in the habbit of turning it off after a turn...

 

i did a 49 ford in 1970 with a toggle switch you will have to use a double pole double throw switch . and you will have to add another pair of sockets in the rear lamps or add another light to each side plus you need to add 2 indicaters to your dash ,and probably change to double filiment sockets in front . it isnt that hard i did mine when i was 16 lol. the biggest problem is they wont cancel out after turning a corner you will have to remember to do it yourself

 

I used to do sidecar rigs with a trailer adapter for single filament tail-brake cars.
It's a black box that takes the TS signal and then cancels the appropriate brake light for a flashing indicator. Harder to describe than it is to use. But I do not know if it's available for 6 volt use.

I actually used a 51 Chevy TS switch at one time, and can tell you this: while it WILL self-cancel with that little wheel, it will also generally cancel BEFORE the turn because of the little corrections that you always feed into the wheel (read: movement). This WILL be annoying.

You can also use two microswitches and a ****on arrangement of your choice, simply running the brake signal to the N/C and the TS signal to the N/O, the lamp lead out from the COM. But this will mean some fabrication.

BTW, you can get by with just one indicator on the dash by doing the following: use an insulated lamp socket (no ground through the body of the socket) and wire one lead to the power side of one front TS, then the other lead to the power side of the other side front TS. The light will ground through the unused TS, and will then indicate that you are using the blinkers. I have used a covered GM socket (like the ashtray illuminators), drilled a hole in the top, then used fibre optics to a small hole somewhere you will see it. (Cadillac uses these for the 'in the car' repeaters, longest ones run from the taillamps to above the rear window).
You will, however, have to have the presence of mind to know WHICH way you signalled. It's called "being smarter than the equipment you are operating".

Cosmo

 

I put a Radio Shack 12-volt beeper in my turn signal curcuit to remind me that the turn signals are on. Had to mute it as it sounded like a back-up alarm. Works great for a hard-of-hearing old man.

John

 

I would get a on-off- on toggle. put a flasher on the feed. wire one on to the left and one to the right

 

Not cheap and def not Trad.
http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/turn_signal.html

 

there is a magazine article out on the stands on this subject right now. can't remember which one.

 

February 2010 Rod & Custom has an article on the subject. Check it out.

 

Why would I order anything but a heavy duty toggle switch rated for the higher amperage? How is this any different than what there is on modern cars from the factory? I had a cancel ring on an 80s chrysler fail on me before.

 

Hey thanks I read it, it talks about a kit that has awesome original style wiring in it, but its wired for a GM column and it talks about how to byp*** it with a kit that american autowire sells to use a momentary toggle. It doesnt talk about actually doing it with theory and things I like to know. Its dissapointing when there is an article that sounds interesting and they ttry to sell stuff.

 

True, lawyers are snakes and will try to find anyway out of or into a situation. But, I dont think what I am trying to accomplish is anyway unsafe if properly installed using correct techniques and proper equipment. If it doesnt fail there should be no way into a situation as stated.

 

You could simply use a turn signal switch of something like a 71 Chev pickup and fasten it to a flat plate under the dash with just a bit of lever sticking out to get your fingers on. They wire up pretty simply but as mentioned above, no matter what switch you use you will have to remember to turn it off.

On my 48 I have two toggle switches on a small aluminum panel under the dash. One for left one for right and I have and extra pair of bulbs in the tail lights so that I have turn bulbs and brake bulbs. I was always leaving one on and putting down the road with the light flashing.

If you use a toggle, Use the one shown in the T bucket forum page and it should work great. I couldn't find one when I did my truck.

 

why not just mount a 70's thru 80's Gm turn signal behind the dash on an L bracket, Bring the long chrome stalk thru the dash and cut it off and shape it to look like a toggle switch lever..

 

Thanks mr 48! sounds great! If you turn both of your toggles on can you have 4 ways or do you need a flasher wired to each on idependantly for that?

 

Thats a unique idea!

 

great info here.

 

i dont know if this has been mentioned or not..going to put it out there,

My HD has turn signal switches ..and they self cancel..look into that system and incorperate it into your car

 

use an original gm unit. someone help me here. isn't the 53-4 the same. maybe even the pontiac. mr. squirrel where are you on this.