Reversing Light
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gucu
- Minor Friendly
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- Location: Lostwithiel Cornwall
- MMOC Member: Yes
Reversing Light
Hi All
I hope you have had an amazing weekend.
With Winter approaching and needing to drive down narrow Cornish lanes - those ones without any lights in - I need to consider what to do when reversing. I can't fit a reversing light because I haven't got the correct gearbox, so I thought about fitting an led light bar under the rear bumper with a switch and warning noise.
What has anybody else done please?
Thanks
Rich
I hope you have had an amazing weekend.
With Winter approaching and needing to drive down narrow Cornish lanes - those ones without any lights in - I need to consider what to do when reversing. I can't fit a reversing light because I haven't got the correct gearbox, so I thought about fitting an led light bar under the rear bumper with a switch and warning noise.
What has anybody else done please?
Thanks
Rich
- svenedin
- Minor Legend
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- Location: Surrey
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Re: Reversing Light
I've never bothered or worried about it.
I think the Dorset Branch of MMOC were developing a reverse light switch which replaced the reverse gear detent plug in the remote housing. Whether this is still available I do not know but it is mentioned here: https://dorsetmmoc.co.uk/wordpress/special/
If you do make an enquiry about that switch could you let us know whether it is available by posting on here please?
Stephen
I think the Dorset Branch of MMOC were developing a reverse light switch which replaced the reverse gear detent plug in the remote housing. Whether this is still available I do not know but it is mentioned here: https://dorsetmmoc.co.uk/wordpress/special/
If you do make an enquiry about that switch could you let us know whether it is available by posting on here please?
Stephen
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.
Stephen
Stephen
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alfie austin
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Re: Reversing Light
Hello, I’ve fitted simple micro switch under gearstick gaiter as above.
LED cluster lights on rear traveller pillars
Been in use for 3 years and certainly show up well if reversing….
LED cluster lights on rear traveller pillars
Been in use for 3 years and certainly show up well if reversing….
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bobtail4x4
- Minor Fan
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Re: Reversing Light
you must have a good handbrake 
- svenedin
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Re: Reversing Light
To hold the car upside down in the garage? Yes. Amazing!
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.
Stephen
Stephen
- geoberni
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- Bill_qaz
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Re: Reversing Light
I simply have switch with a warning light and reverse lamp under rear bumper. I don’t want it on every time I select reverse only if I need it for illumination.gucu wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 7:15 pm Hi All
I hope you have had an amazing weekend.
With Winter approaching and needing to drive down narrow Cornish lanes - those ones without any lights in - I need to consider what to do when reversing. I can't fit a reversing light because I haven't got the correct gearbox, so I thought about fitting an led light bar under the rear bumper with a switch and warning noise.
What has anybody else done please?
Thanks
Rich
Regards Bill
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gucu
- Minor Friendly
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- Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2015 1:05 pm
- Location: Lostwithiel Cornwall
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Re: Reversing Light
Hi Bill
That looks good. Does it illuminate the road well. I have to reverse down narrow lanes with no light available.
Thanks
Rich
That looks good. Does it illuminate the road well. I have to reverse down narrow lanes with no light available.
Thanks
Rich
- Bill_qaz
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Re: Reversing Light
Yes and if you want you could fit two, one each side. I have a fog light on opposite side, that’s the second switch. Also this type of light gives you far more adjustability to get the light where you want it rather than fixed in a panel. 
Regards Bill
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gucu
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- Location: Lostwithiel Cornwall
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Re: Reversing Light
Thanks and I love the fact that you have removed the over-riders from your bumper. I'll be taking mine off.
Rich
Rich
- svenedin
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Re: Reversing Light
Judging by how dented my rear bumper over-riders are, they do serve a useful purpose.......
Stephen
Stephen
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.
Stephen
Stephen
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gucu
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Re: Reversing Light
I love the look of the bumper without them but I'm glad for the warning!
- Mr Spigot
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Re: Reversing Light
Easy enough to get hold of a Midget gearbox extension and a straight swap for the Minor one so you have the switch which comes on every time you use reverse, rather than fumbling with switches. Not only useful illumination, but warns the car behind that you are reversing.
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- Reversing light.jpg (75.27 KiB) Viewed 120103 times
1960 2 door 'Mostyn' - 1275 Midget engine - WOI 577 - owned since 1990
1952 MM convertible 'Mawdie' - 918 SV engine - MWD 305 - owned since 2023
1952 MM convertible 'Mawdie' - 918 SV engine - MWD 305 - owned since 2023
Re: Reversing Light
The gearbox has nothing to do with fitting a reversing light. There are many different reversing lamps available, most of which can be fitted to a Minor. All you need is a manual switch with a warning light - some good examples above. When the Minor was still being manufactured, many cars had this arrangement, sold as accessories. Automatic reversing lights were something of a rarity.
- Bill_qaz
- Minor Legend
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Re: Reversing Light
Most modern reversing lights seem to be to let others know you're reversing rather than providing illumination for you.
I hardly think I'm fumbling for a switch thats centre of dash not far from the gearstick
But each to their own, if you prefer auto switching, I couldn't be bothered setting it up for something that I would only use occasionally when dark. Picked mine up as nos period style.
20251027-161003_eBay.jpg[/attachment]
I hardly think I'm fumbling for a switch thats centre of dash not far from the gearstick
20251027-161003_eBay.jpg[/attachment]
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- Screenshot_20251027-161003_eBay.jpg (125.92 KiB) Viewed 120073 times
Regards Bill
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Nickol
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Re: Reversing Light
Gott schütze mich vorm Sturm und Wind und Autos, die aus England sind.
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download/file.php?id=4822[/sig]
- Bill_qaz
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Re: Reversing Light
Maybe for a traveller or van but if it was my indicator it wouldn't throw any light on the road behind the car. Your indicator(with white led) would not give the light spread the op was looking for when reversing in a narrow unlit laneNickol wrote: ↑Wed Oct 29, 2025 10:00 am This may be a good alternative
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZOciQUhrSE
Regards Bill
Re: Reversing Light
I like that, hmmmmmmNickol wrote: ↑Wed Oct 29, 2025 10:00 am This may be a good alternative
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZOciQUhrSE

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Meggie moggy
- Minor Fan
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Re: Reversing Light
I have these on Meggie which work well and having the type 9 gearbox conversion works a treat 

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Meggie living in West Sussex. Slowly being restored.
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gucu
- Minor Friendly
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- Location: Lostwithiel Cornwall
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Re: Reversing Light
For those that are interested this is what I have done.
https://gucu.org.uk/news/reversing-light/
Rich
https://gucu.org.uk/news/reversing-light/
Rich


