Neutral Safety Switch options

[Russell J]

I have a '72 F100. At some point it was converted from manual to automatic. I'm assuming that during the conversion, the neutral safety switch was lost in the process. I don't want to go and buy a new one due to the cost, so I would like to pull one from a vehicle in the junkyard.

Could someone tell me which other Ford vehicles (besides mine) that I could pull one of the safety switches from and have a match?

Thanks!!!

[knightfire83]

Info from rockauto.com:

[fmartin_gila1]

Just for your info, I know that the earlier outer jackets of the steering column were different depending on if the pickup came with a auto, 3 spd, or 4 spd trans. You may have to get a different Steering Column to accomodate a Neutral Safety Switch. You also need the little clip-on lever to actuate the switch. The switch also is a reverse light switch.

Fred

[Russell J]

Great info, Fred, thanks!!!
Is there a quick way to determine if I have a manual steering column or an automatic steering column?

[sargentrs]

If it was an original manual column shift it would have 2 shift levers on the bottom of the column and a wide slot down there. Auto columns would have 1 lever and a narrow slot. Original floor shift trucks have no levers and no slot. The shift collar is different on all 3 depending on the configuration. Also, manual shift columns did not have the slot on the interior location between the pedals and the dash. You can see it in this thread http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a

[fmartin_gila1]

Those are some good pics in that thread. Shows the clip-in lever to actuate the neutral safety switch and shows the specific upper bowl used with the autos with the gear indicator. The 3 spd upper bowl had the lever fulcrum like the auto and the 4 spd upper bowl was smooth as the lever fulcrum was not needed in them.

Fred

[Russell J]

Ahhhh! So the selector arm and the switch itself attach here?



So to wire it, is there a plug setup somewhere under my dash for the old manual shifter safety switch? Not sure what I should be looking for under there to hook the new safety switch into.

[sargentrs]

Yes, that is where they go, on an automatic anyway. I don't know of a similar setup on a manual shift column. I haven't actually wired one yet. I have a new switch but I'm putting in an aftermarket harness so I'm sure I'll have fun with it.

[sargentrs]

Kind of generic but might give you an idea of where to look for your plug http://www.fordification.com/tech/wirin ... otrans.jpg

[fmartin_gila1]

The Auto equipped had the neutral safety switch there at the lower end of the column just above the floorboards so it was inside the cab. The same switch did double duty as it was both a neutral safety(would only engage starter when in neutral) and was also the reverse light switch. The switch had slots to mount it and you had to slide it back and forth in order to find the spot that the lever would actuate the switch. It was mounted with 2 very very short(special) sheet metal type screws. The auto equipped vehicle would have a electrical connection plug-in with 4 contacts and the manual equipped will have a 2 contact connection. The 3 and 4 spd Manuals had no neutral safety switch. The 3 spd reverse light switch was mounted on the lower end of the column below the floorboard in a position that the reverse lever would actuate it and the 4 spd had the reverse light mounted on the transmission so that is the area I would look for a pigtail, depending on which trans it originally had. Since yours was originally a manual, there will not be any wiring for the neutral safety switch and you will probably have to make it to simply interupt the signal to the solenoid.

Fred

[Russell J]

Holy cow...ok, mine was originally a 3spd. When you say to look "below the floorboard" are you meaning underneath the truck? Also, what color wires am I my looking for?

Thank you guys so much for all the helpful information so far!

[sargentrs]

You can see the various locations of the back up light switch here http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =8&t=40504 On the 3 spd, it was a bracket that clamped around the bottom of the steering column, inside the engine compartment, nearest the rag joint. A small button switch sat in the bracket and when the reverse lever moved up, it pushed the button on the switch. It was a 2 wire harness and the switch looked like this http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/MC/ ... 7AodC2sAAQ

[Russell J]

I'm SO finding this today! (If it's still there)

Thanks so much!!