Morris Minor Owners Club

I've seen various methods of fitting a reversing light switch from a simple toggle switch on the dash to an ingenious method of combining brake lights and reversing lights but again with a toggle switch. The Dorset branch were developing one but, as far as I know, are still not available - which got the grey matter churning and I dug my spare gearbox out.
I apologise in advance for crappy pictures and the state of my work bench


https://dorsetmmoc.co.uk/wordpress/special/

I trawled eBay for a suitable donor and came up with this, dead cheap if it didn't work out and about the right length. M14 thread but I had a plan.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236562805775

The plan.
I haven't got a lathe so the metric thread was filed down to match a 1/2" UNF die and a new thread cut, not a very good thread but as a proof of concept it will do. There are other switches with a bit more meat on them to enable them to be turned down to the right size, but maybe I just filed a bit too much off and it seems to tighten down well enough. The switch needed a washer under the head to get the depth right.
It only works - lamp used was one I had laying around to prove the concept, I've got more suitable ones ordered. The wiring diagram on the Dorset branch details works well.

I've sent for a larger diameter switch for Mk II. I'll scout around to see if I can find someone to turn the correct diameter for me.

M34 any good to you?

John

Thanks but I've sent for a switch with an M16 thread which should give the extra diameter needed to turn down.

Not a metric M34, was an offer of assistance from Manchester M34....

John

P.S. Have a lathe , 1/2 " UNF die .... and a messier shed than yours...

I managed to get hold of, and fit a genuine, period Lucas reversing light. I kept it simple by using an illuminated (yellow) pull switch.

Sleeper wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2026 1:20 pm Not a metric M34, was an offer of assistance from Manchester M34....

John

P.S. Have a lathe , 1/2 " UNF die .... and a messier shed than yours...

I thought it was a slip of the keyboard
Thanks for the offer though

Mervin wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2026 1:47 pm I managed to get hold of, and fit a genuine, period Lucas reversing light. I kept it simple by using an illuminated (yellow) pull switch.

Simple is best but I like to fiddle

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

I'll probably clamp the reversing light to the bumper or make a bracket to mount it/them somewhere else. I live on a busy main road and reverse onto my drive so giving other drivers a clue as to why I'm stopped at the side of the road is probably a good idea

My numberplate is fitteds with eagle eye leds , you cant notice them during the day.... but when they're ON....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305239364204 ... R5qxv5WXZw

John ;-)

We likes it

Sleeper wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2026 3:01 pm My numberplate is fitteds with eagle eye leds , you cant notice them during the day.... but when they're ON....

led off.jpg

led on.jpg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305239364204 ... R5qxv5WXZw

John ;-)

Very good. So these replace the number plate fixing bolts? Are you positive earth (LEDs are polarity sensitive) ?

Stephen

No , I've gone -ve earth , but no matter there are two wires, pick which one you run to earth , which one you run to live ....

John ;-)

https://board.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=79372

Previous discussions on topic

svenedin wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2026 2:17 pm 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

Fit up a gadget that will intermittently sound your horn while reversing instead!

My two penny worth.

Is drilling out the threads in the gearbox, and tapping metric, an alternative? Metric taps are cheap.

Or is this considered “too taboo” with a vintage car, these days?

I would certainly consider it but I'd rather knacker a £5 switch than a perfectly good gearbox, I do tend to have a disaster or two while fiddling

panky wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2026 10:24 pm I would certainly consider it but I'd rather knacker a £5 switch than a perfectly good gearbox, I do tend to have a disaster or two while fiddling

Ah so I'm not the only one!

Stephen

svenedin wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2026 2:17 pm 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