Overdrive switch

[Mr Elsie]

Has anyone moved the overdrive switch from the top of the gear leaver to a dash mounted switch? Any pics would be good...

[molten]

Hello

Just curious... why do you want to move it?

[Mr Elsie]

Plastic cap keeps coming off in my hand when I change gear... Would like some kind of light to indicate its on... May try another plastic cap but the one I have seems ok but just won't sit correctly..

[BrendanD]

Then its not 'OK'....
The switch on the gear lever is a perfect ergonomically, why mess with it?
Just change your cap.

[Dannyb]

Gear leaver and switch together must be better than column mounted switch. Although I can see the benefits of a warning light which would save looking down at the gearlever to see if it's in or out. I may consider adding a light on the dash.

[Mr Elsie]

Anyone know where you can get very slim connectors to go on the back of the o/d switch? The normal red ones seem a bit big and I'm wondering if it's these that are making the cap not fit right..

[Royboy66]

Try here........http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/category/Electrical/Terminals_and_Connectors,b.html    :)

[rhodes]

I got my switch from a well known outfit in Filongley and had to 'doctor' the leads from the switch in order to fit it into the available space in the gearlever.

[BrendanD]

Absolutely,
You need the very slim connectors.
Wiring looms for the stick made up are available from all the usual suppliers for about £8.
Its worth getting a quality one. I bought a couple on eBay that someone had made up using high quality silicone leads as I got fed up with the standard ones rubbing through and breaking at the foot of the stick (the commonest cause of a non-functioning OD!)

[BrendanD]

Try Chic Doig

[Paudman]

1684 wrote:

Gear leaver and switch together must be better than column mounted switch.

Now THAT'S a matter of user opinion, as I've had both types and prefer the column lever, so that I can switch in and out whilst town driving and not have to leave third gear or take my hand off the steering wheel. I find it very easy to use.

[BrendanD]

490 wrote:

Now THAT'S a matter of user opinion, as I've had both types and prefer the column lever, so that I can switch in and out whilst town driving and not have to leave third gear or take my hand off the steering wheel. I find it very easy to use.

Yes can see the value of that. Many many years ago had a ride in a friend's spit that had the OD on a dashboard switch. That really didn't work....

[JohnD]

I ve found that a suitable presson pressoff switch mounted on the steering wheel is very handy indeed if sited to be thumb operated.  Choose a press button switch that lights up when on for extra ergonomic efficiency.
A length of curlywurly telephone cord allows wheel rotation

Ive posted pics of the stup here before and cant now as Im on my Kindle.
John

[RedRooster]

My old switch cover cracked, so i bought a replacement that cracked too! Got a band of large diameter heatshrink holding the cover on now, does the job & doesn't look out of place.
RR

[Peter McEvedy]

I have a column switch from choice - easy to use with both hands on the wheel and allows me to have a lovely alloy knob on the gear lever!

[Tim Bancroft]

My GT6 has one of those BL Works type alloy gear knobs (Fitted to AH 3000 and Triumph 2.5Pi)with a toggle switch for overdrive. Think I got it from Brown and Gammons, various other BMC specialists sell them.

The Saloon has a column switch.

Like both and can see advantages to each type.

Never thought much of the later type of gear knob switch with hollow gear lever-ask Keith Dandridge what he likes!

[Phil Wright]

timbancroft61 wrote:

My GT6 has one of those BL Works type alloy gear knobs (Fitted to AH 3000 and Triumph 2.5Pi)with a toggle switch for overdrive. Think I got it from Brown and Gammons, various other BMC specialists sell them.

Tim, have you got any more information on these? I had a look round Brown & Gammons website but cant see them on there.

I found the gear lever switches convenient, but the switches themselves would only last 6 months or so (or mine did). I had most success with the column switch, but found it easy to knock the car out of overdrive when operating the wipers. My car's in bits at the moments, but cant wait to get it back together again!

Phil

[Richard_M]

I'm a big fan of the column switch too - having had and used this and the stick mounted version on a Herald.

I too had problems with the stick cap cracking and generally coming off at inconvenient times :)

Also - the column mount is original to certain cars - my Spit mk3 for instance - factory fitted!

R

[Dicky Blighter]

Just aquired an overdrive box and all the bits and thats got the column mounted switch which is what I wanted anyway - mounted the switch last night and seems to be in perfect position. Can switch in and out without taking hands off the wheel and can flick with thumb if hand is on the gearstick.
I intend to add a dash light to show when overdrive is switched in.
Hoping to drop the gearbox in next weekend, cleaning and painting all the bits at the moment and making a new wiring loom as the insulation is going a bit hard on the original one so might as well make a new one with decent connectors.