New steering column, new problems, HELP?

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Aug 18, 2011 | 06:13 AM

chknmn

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New steering column, new problems, HELP?

I just swapped out the steering column in my 71 F100 for a newer 1978/79 column that has tilt and stays in park. The only problem is that I had to rewire it bypassing the built in hazard switch. Now I have to figure out how to get the Neutral safety and reverse lights switch to work. There is no shift tube position arm (finger) sticking out of the new column.
Does anyone know if there is a switch that I can bolt on to the transmission itself that will have the same function as the neutral safety/ reverse switch on the old column? I was thinking of a multi-position potentiometer controlled by the gear shaft that comes out of the transmission? Has anyone had and or solved this problem before? I can live without the neutral safety switch now that my truck stays in park, But I really want the reverse lights to come on when the truck is put in reverse.
Thanks.

Aug 18, 2011 | 11:31 AM

elgemcdlf

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From: Alton, MO

I have a feeling you are running the original transmission. No built in switch? I am not that familiar with the column you speak of. Check it over there may be a switch mounted on the column itself (under the dash area) for tripping both the safety and reverse lights.

Aug 18, 2011 | 04:57 PM

tmcalavy

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Easiest thing would be to bypass the old neutral safety switch...it has four wires, match color to color and splice them together, then wire one of those pair (backup lights) to a toggle switch on the dash. No idea about your hazard lights...never worked on one that new.

Aug 19, 2011 | 07:48 AM

chknmn

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The old column had the switch on it under the dash, I did by-pass it to be able to start the truck and I would use a toggle switch to turn on the reverse lights, But I would really like it to work with the gear selector as it did before.
I found a neutral safety/reverse lights switch on line for a C4 tranny that looks like it bolts onto the trans itself and goes around the selector shaft. As the shaft turns during gear selection the switch turns. Has anyone dealt with one of these C4 trans switches?
Thanks again for all your help.

Aug 19, 2011 | 12:45 PM

tmcalavy

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Is your tranny a C4 or C6? I bet Number Dummy knows which switch you need...depends on what auto tranny your new column was matched to...and whether that switch is compatible to your transmission.

Aug 19, 2011 | 01:37 PM

chknmn

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The VIN # is F10YKK01882 it has a C6 trans in it matched to a 360 motor that came in the truck. I don't think the modern Neutral safety switch will bolt onto my C6, But I bet I can fabricate a bracket and make it work.

Aug 23, 2011 | 12:14 PM

NumberDummy

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From: Simi Valley, CA

1967/77 F100/350: The NSS is column mounted / All A/T's = C7TZ-7A247-A ~ Motorcraft SW-600.

1978/79 F100/350: The NSS mounts on the transmission / C6: D8TZ-7A247-A ~ Motorcraft SW-1489 / C4: D8TZ-7A247-B ~ Motorcraft SW-1491.