In a recent thread where we were discussing a transmission swap from a 3-spd. manual to an automatic, the topic of the neutral safety switch came up. The question was how to convert the 3-spd's NSS wiring to the automatic's. It had been a long time since I drove a truck with a 4-speed, so I couldn't remember exactly, and decided to let someone else answer the question with the answer that I WANTED to say, but was too afraid too in case I was mistaken. However, the answer never came and the focus of the thread changed course. But the subject has been on my mind for several days now. I've poured over the parts manuals, diagrams, etc. in an effort to verify what I thought..and am now pretty sure that this statement is correct:
Ford light-duty trucks equipped with a manual transmission do not have a neutral safety switch of any kind! You can start the engine simply by turning the key, regardless of the shifter position, clutch position or whether or not the transmission is in gear. There is nothing on the clutch pedal to prevent starting it...that kind of NSS was an innovation that came about years later. And the only wiring connection on the 4-spd transmissions themselves is the switch for the backup lights. (The backup light switch for the 3-speed is at the base of the column.) That is why the wiring harness connection for the NSS is bypassed by the factory on trucks with manual transmissions...it's simply not needed.
Correct?
