Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Shift light?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 1, 2010 | 11:27 PM
  #1  
Bueller's Avatar
Bueller
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 386
Likes: 28
From: Garnett, KS
Shift light?

Was doing white gauges the other day, and noticed the shift light on the cluster. How does iy work/what does it use for a signal...the tach?

Frank
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2010 | 11:37 PM
  #2  
fordmanjoe1987's Avatar
fordmanjoe1987
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
Are these aftermarket? IF it is stock than the shift light like some ford models had were mainly for telling you what is the economical time to shift..not much for paying attention to those than feeling the vehicles engine as it pulls as for how i shift, it works off a signal from the coil
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 08:31 AM
  #3  
Barkin 40s's Avatar
Barkin 40s
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 1
From: Perry Florida
i have one of these shift lights too. but mine isnt hooked up, what color wire do i need to find to hook this it up, and where is it located? i think its kinda cool to have a "SHIFT" light.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 09:49 AM
  #4  
bashby's Avatar
bashby
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
I thought thse were hooked to a vacuum switch. My dad's 76 F350 had a "low fuel economy" light that was on a vaccum switch... It shouldve been on whenever the engine was running!
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 10:23 AM
  #5  
Bueller's Avatar
Bueller
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 386
Likes: 28
From: Garnett, KS
Mine wasn't hooked up either, that's why I was kind of wondering. I don't recall ever seeing one work...must of been optional or something?

Frank
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 10:28 AM
  #6  
Barkin 40s's Avatar
Barkin 40s
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 1
From: Perry Florida
idk but it would be kinda cool to have it work i think
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 10:47 AM
  #7  
LARIAT 85's Avatar
LARIAT 85
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
"Shift" light? Where is it on the cluster? Mine doesn't have one, nor a space for one. Are you in the right forum?

Across the top, from left to right, my lights are:

"EMISSIONS"
Left turn signal arrow
"FASTEN BELTS"
"HI BEAMS"
"BRAKE"
Right turn signal arrow
"4x4"
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 12:05 PM
  #8  
Barkin 40s's Avatar
Barkin 40s
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 1
From: Perry Florida
my "shift" light would be where your "emmissios" would be i guess, i dont have a emmissions light but my shift light is all the way to the left
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 12:37 PM
  #9  
newrider3's Avatar
newrider3
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 625
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Hmm, I've never seen anything like this either. My aftermarket tach has a programmable shift light, but that is a different story.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 01:23 PM
  #10  
TheKirbyMan's Avatar
TheKirbyMan
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,271
Likes: 2
From: Mexia, TX
If I remember right, there is indeed an "Upshift" indicator on some of these trucks. As others have said it's to help get the best fuel economy by suggesting that you upshift when it lights.

It might be cool to try and wire up a factory Upshift indicator to come on with a programmable shift light-equipped tach or a standalone unit.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 01:44 PM
  #11  
Rogue_Wulff's Avatar
Rogue_Wulff
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
IIRC, that light was only used for the 300 4 speed OD combo, and was set to come on at a rather low RPM. It didn't indicate the engine was reaching too high RPM, but when the best time to shift to a higher gear for max MPG. Under light throttle, it would come on at about 1500 RPM, where the engine was just starting to make it's best torque.
I also believe it only lasted 1 or 2 years before it got dropped. It was really unpopular. Most of them were unhooked during the truck's first couple months with the new owner. They were that annoying.....
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 02:38 PM
  #12  
1986F150six's Avatar
1986F150six
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
Just as a reference, my son's 1984 has it in the far left position. My 1986 has the emissions light there. Both originally were with the "much loved and sought after" feedback carburetor system [hah!!] and were 4.9L with 4 speed OD.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 02:40 PM
  #13  
Rogue_Wulff's Avatar
Rogue_Wulff
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Sounds about right. I think the light was added about the same time as the feedback system.
Like I said, it didn't survive very long....
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 07:14 PM
  #14  
Barkin 40s's Avatar
Barkin 40s
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 1
From: Perry Florida
is there any way i can hook mine up to my 460?
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2010 | 07:18 PM
  #15  
Crankylove's Avatar
Crankylove
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Originally Posted by Barkin 40s
is there any way i can hook mine up to my 460?
Why bother? With the fuel ecomony the big blocks get, it would be on all the time
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:27 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE