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Sm420 Factory Reverse Light Switch

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Norcal69, Sep 3, 2016.

  1. Sep 3, 2016
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Steve's jeep came to us with a Sm420 already installed. The 420 is the elusive 1967 model with the factory reverse light switch built into the shift cover. The reverse light switch is however missing.
    I have looked for 1967 model chevy trucks but can't find a listing for the reverse light switch.
    Do any of you guys know the part number for the factory thread in switch?
     
  2. Sep 3, 2016
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    If this is the one that screws into the top of the shift tower 3718016.

    image5.jpg
     
  3. Sep 4, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    With that setup you could make any SM420 have a backup light switch. My sm420 is 1953 or before..
     
  4. Sep 4, 2016
    oddfirejeeper

    oddfirejeeper Active Member

    Hamilton, MI
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    maybe look into the bigger trucks these transmissions came in. they might have the switch listed there.
     
  5. Sep 4, 2016
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    This threads into the shift cover on the right rear side.
    What makes of bigger trucks do you suggest?
     
  6. Sep 4, 2016
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    You can add the light switch to the rail on any sm420 and use the switch on the sm465.
    Ill see if I can find the article.

    SM420 Reverse Switch Adaptation
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2016
  7. Sep 10, 2016
    oddfirejeeper

    oddfirejeeper Active Member

    Hamilton, MI
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    they were the ton and a half and bigger trucks. like grain trucks, dump trucks etc.
     
  8. Sep 10, 2016
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thank you,
    I will check that out. I was also going to see if by chance the sm465 used the same light.
     
  9. Sep 10, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    They came in pick up trucks too. The one I am currently running was in one and my spare came out of a dump truck. I have the PTO from it too.
     
  10. Sep 10, 2016
    oddfirejeeper

    oddfirejeeper Active Member

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    some of those pto's are cool. i would like to get one for my sm465 and run a winch or two
     
  11. Sep 10, 2016
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    You don't happen to have a switch laying around with a part# on it do you?
     
  12. Sep 10, 2016
    47v6

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    no. mine are both pre 1953. They don't have a seal on the bearing retainer either, so if you are pointed downhill with the engine off, you're probably going to lose a bit of gear oil. Novak will machine one into mine for a price, but I didn't go for it. If you get this figured out, do a write up with pics so i can do this mod?
     
  13. Sep 10, 2016
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I added a reverse switch to my T-98. When I had the transmission apart, I found which shift rail was reverse, located it in the top, then found how much the rail moved, took a swipe at how deep the rail was off of the top of the cover, say, about 1/8", then added that to the thickness of the top cover (another 1/8") and then went about finding a switch that had a short-enough stickout (this is a detent-ball kind of switch), then I drilled and tapped the case, added the switch, and now it's waiting for me to get the right weatherguard connector and wire it up...

    One of our members posted a 'vintage' solution on post #90,
    Vintage T98, D18 and Overdrive

    I have a few picts of what I did on post #116
    Vintage T98, D18 and Overdrive

    I don't recall the part # of the reverse switch I used. FWIW: it's out of an 80's era Ford T-18... I went thru a few with the guy at the parts counter looking for one with the right length stickout (GM ones are pretty long if I recall from this experiment). Also recall that late model GM switches use a metric #15 tap, and that is a biotch to find, had to order online. The Ford was some flavor of an NP fitting (1/4 NP IIRC).
     
  14. Sep 12, 2016
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks for your input guys.
    The sm420 that I am working on is the "rare" 1967 model with the reverse light feature built in/ drilled and tapped straight from Muncie's factory.
    After much research I have found that a standard motor products NS18 is the correct back up lamp switch.
    [​IMG]
     
    Fresbone likes this.
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