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On my 1977 F-150, the activator pin broke off on my column with the neutral safety switch. Heard it is easier to swap to a 1978 model because it allows for easier access to replace/repair instead of the original one and its location. This cannot be very difficult, eh? Just swapping out the plug end connector and mounting it seems simple enough. The original location is rather difficult to access and the number of trucks i see bypass this switch tells me it will break again without an upgrade.
If you mean the metal flat like tab sticking up out of the column that moves with the gear lever / tube, it's easy enough to just snap a replacement in place. Go here (that is a link) and look at post including post 8 .... there's even pics. No way pulling or swapping columns is better or easier. I did add switches to jump it temporarily, as said. D0TZ-7B097-B is the clip.
Originally Posted by me-then
I unhooked the battery, removed horn and steering wheel and signal lever (need to straighten wheel anyway as I got it off a couple splines Monday .... so before yanking I positioned it again where straight was coming home yesterday.) dropped the modesty cover from underneath the column, loosened two bolts holding column up to dash, used a bent coat hanger to limit drop and eased column down towards seat.
Took a small screwdriver, felt in hole as I pulled gear selector into the ranges, settled on 2 ..... inserted screw driver in hole of old selector and it popped loose .... I used finger to slide it up on screwdriver and eased it up and out of hole .... simple.
My NSS was still hanging loose, I had taken it off the column so I could reach it several days ago so I could start the truck. I left it off and hanging as I knew this job was coming. Sad part was one of the short sheet metal screws with 5/16 hex head had fallen in the square hole Monday. So I used a small magnet secured to a bent wire to fish inside the column and retrieve the screw. Install NSS and temporarily moved it far to left as I could, screws loose.
Ease column back up in place, insert two bolts and the thick steel spacers like washers in place, and tighten. Hook up battery, use key to check positions and played with N, R, and P and switch ..... only had to move switch maybe 1/16" back right and it was perfect .... it actually would work before adjusting if the shift lever was held up to high side of position .... now it's works like a new one and that gear selection is so nice ..... smooth .... positive .... like a new one! Install modesty cover and horn and signal lever ...... done.
If you mean the metal flat like tab sticking up out of the column that moves with the gear lever / tube, it's easy enough to just snap a replacement in place. Go here (that is a link) and look at post including post 8 .... there's even pics. No way pulling or swapping columns is better or easier. I did add switches to jump it temporarily, as said. D0TZ-7B097-B is the clip.
Not saying swapping the column. Just the location of the NSS
As much as I have looked, i do not see the original location of the NSS. It has been clamped to the outside of the steering wheel for quite a few years.
Might be a late '77 and I think some of those had it on the transmission. In that link, was pictures in one of the earlier posts showing exactly where it is if in the cab like my March 1977 truck.
I see you already have all the explaniation show and tell pics. Here are a few more. Since your NSS is up under there, so is the wiring, easier to remove steering column, relace the needed parts, and reinstall. Doing a total by pass, is not the safest move. Plus no reverse lights, unless you wire in a toggle switch.
If you want to put the NSS in the 78/79 location, (on the dvr side of the trans). Then you have to that style of switch and install it on the side of the transnission and get the wiring down there. Does the 77 trans have the provisions to activate/move the switch? Just know that the 2 screws that hold the bracket on the steering column shaft, can and or will strip VERY easy, they are very short.
If you mess around to much 1. truck will not start. 2. you will not have working reverse lights.
The steering column tube lever have came off.
NOT the best NSS by pass, but when it fails and you need the truck to start, ya do what ya gotta do.
78/79 C-6 side of the trans location.
So me NSS talk from the past.
"To adjust the safety neutral switch on the column. 1) Transmission in Neutral (chocked wheels) 2) Gear shift lever in Neutral 3) The switch with the holes lined up (use small drill bit to align it).
Once you have done all this......tighten the switch bolts up. CAREFULLY, remember they strip easily.
"When the trucks came with a manual trans, there was a dummy plug used to bypass the NSS switch. I've never been able to come up with a part number for the dummy plug.
To bypass the automatic set up: Unplug the switch and discard or ignore. There are four wires in the harness plug, two each, red w/ blue trace and black w/ red trace. Run a jumper between the red/blue and red/blue, do the same for the black/red. That completely bypasses the NSS switch. Your truck will now start and the back-up lights will be permanently on.
Now on to the backup lights. In the engine compartment is a little U shaped jumper wire. It'll be located on the drivers side splash pan, just in front of the firewall where the wiring harness comes through. Unplug the little jumper, this will shut off the back up lights. There should be a back up light switch on the trans cover. Run two wires from the switch to the two wires that were jumped. This will get your back up lights working again.
Just a note, you could make a jumper plug out of the NSS. Cut the switch off the harness and splice the two pairs of wires. I just hate to cut these switches up. New, they're getting pricey. Here's the little jumper in the engine compartment.
EDIT: If you don't care about the back up lights, just jumper the red w/ blue trace wires. This will by pass the NSS but the back up lights won't work."
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