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Turn Signal Toggle

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Focker, Apr 4, 2015.

  1. Apr 4, 2015
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    I got tired of trying to hold my Sparton turn signal switch lever in it's sweet spot in order to have operating turn signals. I disassembled the switch and cleaned and adjusted but it's too worn out. I wanted to convert to a toggle switch and after a lot of searching, reading and relay wiring trial and error I came across some better options. Most of my findings came from hot rod sites with a lot of good information and diagrams.

    There's an inexpensive, easy option to use a trailer converter. I bought a 3 wire to 2 wire off of Amazon for $10 to the door. It works great, there's a simple diagram online here - How to Add Turn Signals and Wire Them Up

    BTW - The trailer converter won't work without the fronts wired per the diagram. If you go this route hook up all the wires during testing.

    Use this for $10 bucks and you're set. I didn't want to have all the extra wires to hide under the dash so I looked for more options.
    [​IMG]

    I found a Ron Francis switch that handles everything (shared brake/turn signals) but it's $50! I continued the research and went with an American Autowire switch that does the same thing for half the price. I didn't and still don't have hazard lights, I'll work on incorporating that next.

    Here are some photos to finish the story.

    This is part of the Sparton switch before I un-soldered the connections.
    [​IMG]

    Here's the new 6 prong switch from American Autowire. It comes with the crimp on connectors. I soldered the wires to the connectors before crimping.
    [​IMG]

    I found this aluminum piece in the garage. I have no idea what it went to, but now I have a billet aluminum turn signal switch (lol). It's mounted to the Sparton column clamp.
    [​IMG]

    No more stabbing my head into the end of the turn signal lever while working under the dash.
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Apr 4, 2015
    69Willys

    69Willys Las Vegas, NV

    Las Vegas, NV
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    Nice! You sure love working on your Jeep! I like that website. I've had it bookmarked for a long time. I wonder if your aluminum base plate was a 90, so that the toggle was perpendicular and further out from your column, if it might be a bit more ergonomic. Your dash looks good too.
     
  3. Apr 5, 2015
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    :D
    I really enjoy working on my Jeep. The more I do to it the more I find that it's actually in good shape, that motivates me to fix the little things. The only thing that isn't functioning is the temp gauge. I ordered a replacement which should arrive next week.

    I didn't have time to drive it today and test the feel of the new switch. The 90 bracket idea might be a nice touch, heck, I could always mount the switch to the shifter and hardly have to move my arms!
     
  4. Apr 5, 2015
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Boy that looks clean, nice option to a Spartan,
     
  5. Apr 5, 2015
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Only took about 15 minutes to wire up. I thought about making a housing to hide the back of the switch but I actually like the raw look.

    Drove it this morning and love it, still caught myself using hand signals. :D
    It's great for intersections!

    I tend to hold the lower left spoke while cruising which puts the switch right at my fingertips (with safe steering clearance).
     
  6. Apr 5, 2015
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep..

    North Central FL
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    Jun 15, 2003
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    2,133
    Several years ago, my $150 ford fiesta needed a similar gizmo.. Through a series of relays and autozone flashers I made it all work.. Your is a hell of a lot nicer than mine was!!!

    Looks great!
     
  7. Apr 6, 2015
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    I bought 2 relays and no matter what I tried it wouldn't work. I probably needed to wire 2 more relays to the front turn signals to complete the circuit. That would have been a big 4 block of relays and wires but fun to complete a DIY. For the same price as 4 relays the switch is way cleaner.
     
  8. Sep 4, 2017
    Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

    Eastern TN
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    Dec 25, 2016
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    You can do that because your steering wheel is mounted upside down! ECJ5 dot com told me so. :rolleyes:

    The normal turn signal switch with long lever doesn't have to be mounted at 9 o'clock; it could be at 10 and out of the way of your head but that would negate your comfortable hand position, and inverted wheel.

    Mine came from the PO with a center-off toggle switch like yours but it's mounted at 90 degrees or oriented in the usual fashion. I think it's too ghetto rigged for my taste so I snagged a vintage Signal Stat 900 to take its place. It has pilot lights for the blinker and hazards, no less. I like the gee whiz factor of little lights and indicators...:watch:

    By the way, how did you mount your tachometer? Is that already described in a previous thread?
    I ask because most pedestal base tachs can be mounted to steering columns but the radius on the mount base is usually too shallow for the Jeep's narrow column.
     
  9. Sep 4, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    I used a hose clamp.
     
    Hellion likes this.
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