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Re: Done the danged dimmer dance

To: Triumphs <triumphs@Autox.Team.Net>
Subject: Re: Done the danged dimmer dance
From: "Power British Performance Parts, Inc." <britcars@powerbritish.com>
Date: Sun, 06 Dec 1998 10:37:27 -0500
References: <49f0ee08.3669ec66@aol.com>
> > Has anyone converted to a column mounted switch?  It doesn't seem like a
> >  difficult project, but I've been Lucas bit before.
>
> Mike,
>
> It's not at all difficult, as the later TR6 had the dimmer on the column. The
> only problem is, the later TR6 also moved the main lighting switch to the
> dash, replacing the WS washer switch, which was combined into one with the
> wiper switch. If you are willing to add a seperate main lighting switch, the
> TR6 dimmer switch just replaces the lighting switch you now have on the column
> - remove four screws (2 for the escutchens and 2 for the switch), take the old
> one out, put in the new, and refasten the four screws.
>
> In my very much hybrid TR6/V8, I am using the later dimmer switch on the
> column, and a GM main lighting switch on an aluminum switch plinth I made to
> replace the #*!#@&%$ locking steering igntion plinth. The GM switch also has
> the dash light dimmer built in, so I replaced the dash dimmer with a clock.
>
> A little rewiring will be required, and you'll have to find a place for the
> new main switch, but it's really pretty easy to do.
>
> TR4A owners correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm of the impression that the
> steering column was the same as the TR6 column?
>
> Dan Masters,
> Alcoa, TN
>
> '71 TR6---------3000mile/year driver, fully restored
> '71 TR6---------undergoing full restoration and Ford 5.0 V8 insertion - see:
>                     http://www.sky.net/~boballen/mg/Masters/index.html
> '74 MGBGT---3000mile/year driver, original condition - slated for a V8 soon
> '68 MGBGT---organ donor for the '74

Mike,

Another option for you, if you want to retain the column lighting switch is to 
fit an
escutcheon for an overdrive switch. (Can be fitted to either side, including if 
you
already have overdrive on left side, a second escutcheon will still fit fine on 
the
right.)  You can't use a standard dipper switch because of the way it mounts in 
the
escutcheon, but you can use an overdrive switch which is SPST to control an SPDT
relay.  The nice thing about this route is that the relay can be mounted to the 
back
side of the original floor dipper bracket (BTW the floor bracket makes an 
excellent
foot rest without the switch!) and you won't have to unwrap the harness to move 
the
headlamp wires.  Another advantage to this is that your local Radio Shack 
should be
able to supply you with all the parts for a lot less than you'd pay for an 
original TR
column dipper.  And if you don't want to spring for an OD switch, RS should 
also be
able to supply SPST switches in any style your heart desires.

Cheers!

Brian Schlorff    '61 TR-4     '64 TR-4     '72 TR-6     '79 Spit
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