toggle switch
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toggle switch
This is my first post so I'll try my best. I have a 49/50 F-1 that has a toggle switch under the dash to the left of the steering wheel I was wondering if that was factory or added later. Also I would like to restore this truck back to original and was wanting to know if anyone makes an authentic looking wiring harness.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
Hello and welcome to FTE.
Well with the truck being 60 years old and probably modified a few times, there's no telling. Switch and **** additions by various Previous Owners is almost a given.
HOWEVER, there was a factory installed toggle switch on the 48-50s in the location you describe that was used to turn on the instrument lights.
There are lots of folks who make OEM style wiring harnesses. Try Mid Fiftys:
http://www.parts123.com/PartFrame.as...ES_F-100_PARTS
Well with the truck being 60 years old and probably modified a few times, there's no telling. Switch and **** additions by various Previous Owners is almost a given.
HOWEVER, there was a factory installed toggle switch on the 48-50s in the location you describe that was used to turn on the instrument lights.
There are lots of folks who make OEM style wiring harnesses. Try Mid Fiftys:
http://www.parts123.com/PartFrame.as...ES_F-100_PARTS
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
Likes: 9,975
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Welcome to the board!
I would guess that someone added it on and its not factory. Its very common for people to add on fog lights, worklights, etc. Take a look at the wiring and terminations, if its a factory Ford thing then the wiring to the switch would probably be cloth covered and have nice factory looking terminations. If it doesn't have cloth covered wiring or has those cheesy crimp on style connectors with the ugly plastic sheaths (blue, red, or yellow)) then someone added it.
On all the 48-50 trucks that I've seen the intrument lights have been controlled through the standard headlight switch, but, with Ford, anything is possible.
Yes, there are a couple of companies that make a factory style harness. They are a bit pricey. What are your plans for the truck? are you planning a all original style restoration or just trying to upgrade it and make a decent driver? If you aren't going for an original style restoration then there are numerous choices for harnesses. I used a 21 circuit harness from EZ Wiring that I picked up for $150.
There't lots of choices out there
Bobby
I would guess that someone added it on and its not factory. Its very common for people to add on fog lights, worklights, etc. Take a look at the wiring and terminations, if its a factory Ford thing then the wiring to the switch would probably be cloth covered and have nice factory looking terminations. If it doesn't have cloth covered wiring or has those cheesy crimp on style connectors with the ugly plastic sheaths (blue, red, or yellow)) then someone added it.
On all the 48-50 trucks that I've seen the intrument lights have been controlled through the standard headlight switch, but, with Ford, anything is possible.
Yes, there are a couple of companies that make a factory style harness. They are a bit pricey. What are your plans for the truck? are you planning a all original style restoration or just trying to upgrade it and make a decent driver? If you aren't going for an original style restoration then there are numerous choices for harnesses. I used a 21 circuit harness from EZ Wiring that I picked up for $150.
There't lots of choices out there
Bobby
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
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From: NM
I just saw the under-dash switch for courtesy lights somewhere on here this week; first I've heard of it. None of the diagrams I've collected show it. Coincidentally, while working on my truck this week I decided I need a switch to shut them off while I have the doors open...
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
The instrument light switch I was speaking of is on this wiring diagram in the upper left corner, third item down (about 2 inches) marked "Instrument Light Switch"
Shop Manual schematic shows it seperate for 1950 as well, but it's possible they changed it in mid 1950 with a number of other items.
Shop Manual schematic shows it seperate for 1950 as well, but it's possible they changed it in mid 1950 with a number of other items.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
I get it now, I guess I need to read more carefully. Why on earth would you want to turn off your instrument lights? Even modern trucks have a courtesy light kill switch, so you can leave your doors open and play real loud mariachi music at a work site.
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Interesting. I've never seen one in the trucks I've been around. Kinda cool I guess but what in the world would you want that for?
Learn something new everyday
Bobby
Learn something new everyday
Bobby
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
LOL, that's funny Ross....Like that little light is going to drain the battery but a 1000 watt stereo playing for 8 hours won't hurt it.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Its a little odd. I've seen plenty of divorced rheostats for controlling the intrument lights but not the seperate on/off switch.
Still, it should be easy enough to tell if its a factory switch or someone added it in by checking the wiring to it.
Bobby
Still, it should be easy enough to tell if its a factory switch or someone added it in by checking the wiring to it.
Bobby
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Canada
jccraig
On the toggle Switch, its definitly correct and as Julie mentioned it was to turn on & off the Dash Lights drivers preference in the dark hours.
Back in the day we never had street lamps, hell now with the street lamps you don't even need Head-Lamps to drive at night.
Out in the country where its real dark you could drive with parking lamps.
that switch you are refering to is held in place with 2 machine screws, if you take it out be carefull you don't drop them as they are small.
Also they used the same switch in the Ford Trucks that I know of since 1937 -1950.
It is very correct and has a rectangular cut out where the toggle comes down through the dash.
On the toggle Switch, its definitly correct and as Julie mentioned it was to turn on & off the Dash Lights drivers preference in the dark hours.
Back in the day we never had street lamps, hell now with the street lamps you don't even need Head-Lamps to drive at night.
Out in the country where its real dark you could drive with parking lamps.
that switch you are refering to is held in place with 2 machine screws, if you take it out be carefull you don't drop them as they are small.
Also they used the same switch in the Ford Trucks that I know of since 1937 -1950.
It is very correct and has a rectangular cut out where the toggle comes down through the dash.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,888
Likes: 3,132
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I've had them on all the '48-50 trucks I've had. Like Julies stated, I think they were to turn off the lights while driving in the dark. Out on the open road they probably figured they didn't need a speedometer at night.
BTW, if you're looking for a replacement switch it's the same as the one used on the Ford 8N tractor for the backward facing spot light on the back left fender, which is sold by most of the 8N parts vendors. I used a switch out of one of my parts trucks to replace the broken on my 8N.
BTW, if you're looking for a replacement switch it's the same as the one used on the Ford 8N tractor for the backward facing spot light on the back left fender, which is sold by most of the 8N parts vendors. I used a switch out of one of my parts trucks to replace the broken on my 8N.
/CENTER]
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Thank you all very much for the answers. As for what I would like to do with the pickup is a original restoration, this F-1 was bought by my great grandpa new in 49/50 and has never left the family. So anything less than an original restoration just doesn't feel right for one. I'm sure I'll have many more question later like paint colors for all the different part. Once again thank you all very much for the help.