yea but is there a way to even hook it up to a 460? is it a wire? what color? where is the wire coming from? im shure if i knew which wire it was i could set my own rpm at which it comes on at

 

Is it hooked to vacuum or is it electrical ???

When I was a kid our cattle truck (F100, 352 , Automatic with a 4 speed brownie behind it) had a vacuum gauge on the dash, Green, Yellow, Red ... get into the yellow, Pops gives you 'the look', get into the red your chest started hurting!

He also used to put a cup of coffee on the dash ... Don't spill it, It'll hurt!

Thats how I learned to drive.

Used to hate him for it, I now understand the value of those lessons.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

That's kind of what I was wondering...how it actually sensed when to shift. Mine's an '84, and indeed came with the 300, OD 4 speed (and 2.73 gears!), and shift light. There is a hole for the bulb, but no wiring going to it, so that all makes sense. It would be cool to make it work, if even just to show it works. LOL, I admit, I'd prolly get tired of seeing it, as mentioned...but it does sound like fun to make it work and customize it. Especially for a different trans, and gear ratio...

Frank

 

hmm i wonder if a resistor going from the coil would make it work for customizing rpms?

 

I was just thinking the same thing...or take the insides out of an Autometer one and running the bulb to that. I like the sleeper idea.

 

i wonder if a wiring diagram shows the wire needed?

 

Well, I checked the diagrams for early 80's, but am not able to come up with any conclusive wire colors. I only have the Chilton's book though, which leaves something to be desired for information anyways...Maybe if someone could take a look in a FSM ? Gonna go investigate how the aftermarket does it.

Frank

 

I'm not sure, but I think the light was triggered by the computer, using throttle position, manifold vacuum, and RPM inputs, as well as trans gear. It's "goal" was to get you into OD as quickly as possible, as to maximize the MPG.

 

1980 f150 300 4 spd Found mine today while i was removing an aftermarket crusie control its a blue wire and a tanish wire go up toward dash and just a single blue wore goes out front of cab and goes to top of transmission

 

I was eager to reply when I noticed how old of a thread this is - but I'll chime in anyway

I've also always been curious about this. When the light from the sun hits my dash the right way, I've noticed the "SHIFT" indicator in there as well, which I always thought was odd since my truck is a factory C6 automatic. I guess it makes sense just to make a one-part-fits-all thing. I have never taken my dash apart but I assume mine probably has no lightbulb or wiring behind the little slot for the indicator.

 

You're right, there's no bulb in there. My 1984 w/302 and originally a 3-on-the-tree manual has the shift light lens as well. Not sure when exactly the "Shift" indicator showed up...but likely some time in 1983? 1984 had it for sure. I'm pretty sure in 1985 the "Shift" was replaced by "Emissions".

If the shift light ever was functional, it was only on select 4.9L/300ci EEC trucks with the 4spd w/OD manual transmissions. The ECM had select RPM points for optimum shifting, and the wire on the transmission (noted above in previous post) was to disable the "Shift" indicator in top (4th) gear.

 

Below is the info from the 1984 FSM:

 

I have a 1983 F-150 300-6, granny 4-speed and I have the shift light letters in the upper left of the cluster.
However there appears to be no light or wiring for it. I think it'd be cool to have one -- I also don't know how that would work for 1983.
I have a conventional carb and as little computers/sensors as possible because my '83 is a 49 state model...

 

I have a 1980 f150 I6 carb 4 spd no o/d and it had it

 

Funny both of my 81's - both I6, both sticks T18 & SROD (OD) and I don't remember seeing a shift light.
IIRC it was blacked out but will recheck it when out in the garage again as they are both sitting on the bench waiting for their time for the best to be installed.
Being 81's neither were a feed back system so no ECM.
Dave ----