Is there a way to make the overdrive switch light brighter??

[Dan_69GTX]

My Father-in-laws truck seems to have a real dim light in the switch. It is probably a combination of the light and the plastic in the switch.



Just wondering what other people have done to make it easier to see if it is in overdrive or not.



Thanks!

Dan

 

[Dan_69GTX]

You mean to tell me I've finally stumped a bunch of people??



Wow!!!



Anyone ever ad an additional light to say when the OD is on or off??



Dan

 

[SS]

Dan,



I'm not sure what the factory bulb is - might be a PC74 or a PC194. According to a Wagner catalog I have:



PC194 - 3. 78 watts, 2. 0 candlepower

PC168 - 4. 90 watts, 3. 0 candlepower

PC175 - 8. 12 watts, 5. 0 candlepower

These appear to be interchangeable.

Higher wattage bulbs may or may not be too hot for the dash.



I don't see any alternatives for a PC74. Good luck.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Don't know about brighter but I've always wanted to put the darn switch somewere more accessible than its current location.

Never tried/gotten 'round to it though.



Bob.

 

[paccool]

Bob,



"Rodney" installed a second gen shift lever on his first gen. It has the push button in the end of the shifter. Said it will work with either that button or the original. This is what I want to do with mine, just havn't had the time yet.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Figured I'd post a follow-up to let you know what I found out.



The switch does NOT have a replaceable bulb. It is soldered in. (a little ingenuity and it can be replaced).



I ended up taking the switch apart. Just under the smoke colored plastic with the "O/D" lettering on it is a translucent yellow plastic button. I drilled a 5/16" hole in the center of that which allows a lot more light to come through. Now my father-in-law can see it during the day and it isn't too bright at night.



Dan

 

[DINDID]

I changed the shift lever to a 97' type with the switch in the handle. The lamp was a generic from Radio Shack that I located high on the dash face plate. No more searching for the switch.

 

[tugboatphil]

Dan,



I also installed the shifter OD switch. When I wired it to the old one, I switched the buttons around on the dash. Now my bed light switch is on the left and the OD is on the right. It doesn't help that much, but it's a little easier to see.



If I had a dash gauge pod, I'd probably put one of those Radio Shck lights up there.



For some reason I thought you lived in the midwest. If you're interested, we're trying to get a Blue Ridge TDR going in Roanoke. Would love to see you down our way sometime. Check the Regional Events (Southeast) Forum.