Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Was about to respond to an old thread on head light sw. but chose to re- post the subject.
Having seen this common problem over the years (switch melt down) and safe operation-common sence-cost"Share holder returns" -- dependent on speed of assy & compents to assemble a finished -convient (ease of operation,unclutered) product. Case in point Our Dodge truck..... To say the least --Not to mention Big Rigs. .
In the real world If you tow another" Anything" The running light system should have it own Sw. -Cir-breaker-and power source totally " independent of the towing veh).
Back in 94 mod. yr. when owners starting complaining of sw. melt down the added load of the tow'ed veh was the blame. (D/C)
Now my love of sight ,12 noon or black box midnight's and some experance First Up grade was assy light switch ,cir. breaker (not fuse) & complete wiring from batt. thru to sw. thru to In bed & below bumber hookup.
And at about 115k just over six mounts out of the box,melting plastic smell---there was the proof the published TSB's (of the time)was not the cause!! So after a stop at d/c and upgrade sw. kit in hand installed ---Then-- again about 100k later notice'ed the smell again!!!
I spent the $100 for the kit the first time (as in assmbly line ) the only thing the wiring kit is needed for is the ease of instulation
so i purchased a over the counter wil fit from NAPA and installed.
Cut out the belted plastic part of the conn,which left 2 wire conn out side the conn. body--scraped one clean and installed on it post the OTHER wire was to short to reach the sw term for the reistate to controll the high/low mood lighting of the dash compents---On at bright'st setting when in the on pos. .
Result --- last sw. needed to date 4+ yrs later & + 500k.
If you want to know if your sw has been replaced just turn on the head lights an say a half hour lay your hand on the dash against the Left piller and sence the warm spot above the sw.
My advice install trailer wiring and supply seperate from OEM compenents...
In the 70's IH's would lose total 12v supply from batt to control panel(dash-key-everything) now drop over a hill-winding curv-dark of night-unknowen area,you could become a believer & shy of quick connect fast out the door system's.
There are for assembly speed as relayed to me by the design eng'rs.
Having seen this common problem over the years (switch melt down) and safe operation-common sence-cost"Share holder returns" -- dependent on speed of assy & compents to assemble a finished -convient (ease of operation,unclutered) product. Case in point Our Dodge truck..... To say the least --Not to mention Big Rigs. .
In the real world If you tow another" Anything" The running light system should have it own Sw. -Cir-breaker-and power source totally " independent of the towing veh).
Back in 94 mod. yr. when owners starting complaining of sw. melt down the added load of the tow'ed veh was the blame. (D/C)
Now my love of sight ,12 noon or black box midnight's and some experance First Up grade was assy light switch ,cir. breaker (not fuse) & complete wiring from batt. thru to sw. thru to In bed & below bumber hookup.
And at about 115k just over six mounts out of the box,melting plastic smell---there was the proof the published TSB's (of the time)was not the cause!! So after a stop at d/c and upgrade sw. kit in hand installed ---Then-- again about 100k later notice'ed the smell again!!!
I spent the $100 for the kit the first time (as in assmbly line ) the only thing the wiring kit is needed for is the ease of instulation
so i purchased a over the counter wil fit from NAPA and installed.
Cut out the belted plastic part of the conn,which left 2 wire conn out side the conn. body--scraped one clean and installed on it post the OTHER wire was to short to reach the sw term for the reistate to controll the high/low mood lighting of the dash compents---On at bright'st setting when in the on pos. .
Result --- last sw. needed to date 4+ yrs later & + 500k.
If you want to know if your sw has been replaced just turn on the head lights an say a half hour lay your hand on the dash against the Left piller and sence the warm spot above the sw.
My advice install trailer wiring and supply seperate from OEM compenents...
In the 70's IH's would lose total 12v supply from batt to control panel(dash-key-everything) now drop over a hill-winding curv-dark of night-unknowen area,you could become a believer & shy of quick connect fast out the door system's.
There are for assembly speed as relayed to me by the design eng'rs.
