Adapting a '73 turn signal switch for a '68

[sublimer]

So the '68 has 8 wires and the '73 9 because of the addition of the emergency flasher button to the steering column.

I imagine 8 of the 9 wires is fairly trivial, just figure out the corresponding wire and hook it in (correct me if I'm wrong). Then for the 9th wire, can I just splice into the wire for the emergency flasher button since I want to keep the switch that's also in the glovebox?

This seems to be a pretty easy project, but I've said that before, and then one thing leads to another, so I want to clarify my understanding first!

[basketcase0302]

Do you mean putting a 73 steering column into one of our bumps-then grafting the wiring together? Or installing a 73 TSS into a bump era steering column, (which I don't believe will bolt up to the shift collar)?

[sublimer]

Do you mean putting a 73 steering column into one of our bumps-then grafting the wiring together? Or installing a 73 TSS into a bump era steering column, (which I don't believe will bolt up to the shift collar)?

I mean taking a 73 steering column and putting it into a 68 then hooking up the 73 TSS switch to the 68's wiring.

[Hawkrod]

Do you mean putting a 73 steering column into one of our bumps-then grafting the wiring together? Or installing a 73 TSS into a bump era steering column, (which I don't believe will bolt up to the shift collar)?

Amazingly enough you can put the 73 collar onto an earlier column. I do the reverse when I put a later collar into an early truck and don't want the hazards because it already has one. The only thing you need to do to hook up the hazard light is connect the wire (white w/red or orange stripe) to a flasher cannister and hook the other terminal of the flasher cannister to an unswitched 12V. That is all there is to it. No need to connect it to the existing flashers. Hawkrod

[sublimer]

Do you mean putting a 73 steering column into one of our bumps-then grafting the wiring together? Or installing a 73 TSS into a bump era steering column, (which I don't believe will bolt up to the shift collar)?

Amazingly enough you can put the 73 collar onto an earlier column. I do the reverse when I put a later collar into an early truck and don't want the hazards because it already has one. The only thing you need to do to hook up the hazard light is connect the wire (white w/red or orange stripe) to a flasher cannister and hook the other terminal of the flasher cannister to an unswitched 12V. That is all there is to it. No need to connect it to the existing flashers. Hawkrod

Interesting, didn't know that was possible. Decisions, decisions...I don't like the location of the emergency flashers in the bumps. It's hard to get to as a driver and sometimes you need to switch them on while the car is moving. I had thought about getting a normal toggle switch from Radio Shack, but I think I may want to take advantage of the button.

I'll decide later I guess. But I appreciate the "how-to." Wouldn't it just be easier to hook it up to the existing flash canister though? I believe it's just running one wire. Saves a couple of bucks and reduces the amount of "stuff" going on with the electrical.

[Hawkrod]

Do you mean putting a 73 steering column into one of our bumps-then grafting the wiring together? Or installing a 73 TSS into a bump era steering column, (which I don't believe will bolt up to the shift collar)?

Amazingly enough you can put the 73 collar onto an earlier column. I do the reverse when I put a later collar into an early truck and don't want the hazards because it already has one. The only thing you need to do to hook up the hazard light is connect the wire (white w/red or orange stripe) to a flasher cannister and hook the other terminal of the flasher cannister to an unswitched 12V. That is all there is to it. No need to connect it to the existing flashers. Hawkrod

Interesting, didn't know that was possible. Decisions, decisions...I don't like the location of the emergency flashers in the bumps. It's hard to get to as a driver and sometimes you need to switch them on while the car is moving. I had thought about getting a normal toggle switch from Radio Shack, but I think I may want to take advantage of the button.

I'll decide later I guess. But I appreciate the "how-to." Wouldn't it just be easier to hook it up to the existing flash canister though? I believe it's just running one wire. Saves a couple of bucks and reduces the amount of "stuff" going on with the electrical.

You could hook it to the existing but then you would probably want to disconect the existing. If they somehow both got in teh on position it may be "interesting"! I doubt it would hurt anything but if something was odd it would be much harder to diagnose. Due to the simplicity and lack of cost, I would think it would be easier just to keep it seperate. Just grab a flasher from a parts car at the junkyard and use a couple of spade terminals. Hawkrod

[sublimer]

You could hook it to the existing but then you would probably want to disconect the existing. If they somehow both got in teh on position it may be "interesting"! I doubt it would hurt anything but if something was odd it would be much harder to diagnose. Due to the simplicity and lack of cost, I would think it would be easier just to keep it seperate. Just grab a flasher from a parts car at the junkyard and use a couple of spade terminals. Hawkrod

Good point. I imagine that if you hooked up the button and the switch before going into the flasher nothing should happen. I'm nowhere close to an electrical expert, but I couldn't imagine it doubling the amperage or voltage, it would just provide 2 paths to turn the flasher on. I'll do some research, I'm sure someone else has tried something along this path. And I think you can buy new flashers for $5-10, so it wouldn't be expensive either way.