Reversing Light Switch. I did it My Way

[svenedin]

I've often thought a reversing lamp would be useful but I shudder at the thought of drilling the rear bumper valence to fit one. They also spoil the lines of the car. Some cars of the 1950's and 1960's had combined number plate/reversing lamps. This would be an elegant solution with minimal change in appearance if it could be achieved.

Stephen

Mines under the bumper not drilled through the valance it attached to the bumper iron

Great. It probably seems precious but the front and rear valences are scarce parts so drilling them seems like sacrilege. They are available new in fibreglass but not steel.

Stephen

[les]

‘regrets you’ll have a few’ ——-

[Sleeper]

" but then again "...

John ;-)

[panky]

Too many to mention

[Mervin]

To fit my reversing light I made a suitable bracket and secured it to the right hand bumper mounting stud. It was just a matter of removing the nut and fitting the bracket under the bumper fixing nut.

[svenedin]

To fit my reversing light I made a suitable bracket and secured it to the right hand bumper mounting stud. It was just a matter of removing the nut and fitting the bracket under the bumper fixing nut.

Great. Sounds like I have no excuses. I’ll look out for a Midget gearbox remote housing. Might have a reversing light next time the gearbox has to come out.

Stephen

[myoldjalopy]

How about the reversing horn idea? Maybe a klaxon?

[svenedin]

How about the reversing horn idea? Maybe a klaxon?

I DO have a Klaxon and I have threatened to fit it to the Minor many times. It's wonderful. Aroooga aroooga.....

Stephen

[myoldjalopy]

Someone offered my one once, I was somewhat tempted, but I refused it on the grounds that it was a bit much for my sedate SII

[bobtail4x4]

thats one reason to have a towbar, somewhere to hang the fog and reverse lights

[panky]

After faffing about with a bigger diameter switch that fell apart when trying to rethread it I think I've actually found the solution.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/135579606674



It has the correct 1/2" UNF thread and, with the original detent ball fitted, it goes straight in and works perfectly. I had to run a tap down to clean the threads but very little debris was produced and was easily blown out. The only difference in the wiring is to connect the wire going to the reverse light onto relay terminal 87a instead of 87.
Next step is to actually instal it in Ted and see how long it lasts

[Bill_qaz]

I believe you said you needed UNF in earlier post?

[panky]

I believe you said you needed UNF in earlier post?

Oops you're right. Corrected.

[panky]

It's been a while caused by waiting for bits and pieces and being incapacitated with a bout of bursitis so had difficulty even walking. But a couple of days almost pain free saw me get stuck in again.
I had a bit of trouble getting the Reliant switch to work in situ so I reverted back to the original switch, the thread isn't brilliant but a dab of thread lock should help

Switch fitted

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The terminals interfered with the gearstick cover so I soldered on a couple of tails with connections tucked away below

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All wired in and tested

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The pictures make the exhaust tail pipe look close to the light but in reality there's plenty of clearance.

[panky]

I made the lights out of a couple of screw top plastic containers, painted black and fitted the LED lamps in traveller rear reflector mounts.

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Quite happy with that, will tidy up the wiring another day.