Morris Minor Owners Club

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'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

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….

you must have a good handbrake

bobtail4x4 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 9:46 pm you must have a good handbrake

To hold the car upside down in the garage? Yes. Amazing!

bobtail4x4 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 9:46 pm you must have a good handbrake

The marvels of phone cameras.......

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

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.

Hi Bill

That looks good. Does it illuminate the road well. I have to reverse down narrow lanes with no light available.

Thanks

Rich

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.

Thanks and I love the fact that you have removed the over-riders from your bumper. I'll be taking mine off.

Rich

Judging by how dented my rear bumper over-riders are, they do serve a useful purpose.......

Stephen

I love the look of the bumper without them but I'm glad for the warning!

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.

gucu wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 7:15 pm I can't fit a reversing light because I haven't got the correct gearbox

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.

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.
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This may be a good alternative

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZOciQUhrSE

Nickol wrote: ↑Wed Oct 29, 2025 10:00 am This may be a good alternative

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZOciQUhrSE

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 lane

Nickol wrote: ↑Wed Oct 29, 2025 10:00 am This may be a good alternative

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZOciQUhrSE

I like that, hmmmmmm

I have these on Meggie which work well and having the type 9 gearbox conversion works a treat

For those that are interested this is what I have done.

https://gucu.org.uk/news/reversing-light/

Rich