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Relocating high beam switch
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Author:  Jopapa [ Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Relocating high beam switch
Has anyone tried to do this? I'd like to install a switch somewhere on my dash because I'm sick of always moving my foot when I drive and hitting the button. During the day I never even realize it until I'm parked and look at my lights (started doing that because I have a bad habit of leaving them on).
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
You might be able to install a turn signal switch from a later vehicle with the Chrysler-built steering column, which includes the beam selector switch. Never tried it, don't know if it could be made to work. A dash switch would be a real damnuisance to find and wire such that its operation would meet the legal and technical requirements for switches like this.

You sure you can't get used to the kickswitch…?
Author:  slantvaliant [ Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Relocating high beam switch
Quote:
During the day I never even realize it until I'm parked and look at my lights (started doing that because I have a bad habit of leaving them on).
I'm a little confused ... does your high beam indicator not work?

Having grown up with floor-switched cars, I don't mind having the button down there. Better that than having the starter switch down there, like some vintage cars have.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh, I donno, I've often thought it'd be fun to be able to "step on the starter".

The only thing I don't like about a kickswitch for the beam selector is that it's impossible to flash your lights at someone if the headlamps are turned off, and it takes a quick tapdance if they're turned on. But I'd happily pick that minor nuisance every time over the idiotic "push the turn signal stalk forward for high beam, pull it back for low beam, pull back more to flash" switches the Japanese introduced and the American makers copied. It's way too easy to knock the stalk into the high beam position when you smack it to signal a turn (or turn on the wipers, or adjust the cruise control, or do any of the zillion other things GM decided we have to do via the turn signal stalk). Then it stays there, and you get clueless morons driving their late-model cars with high-power high beams in traffic.

I think the best arrangement is the one wherein you pull the turn signal stalk all the way back towards you to toggle between low and high beams, and you pull it back slightly to flash. It's really hard to change beams accidentally with that setup.
Author:  emsvitil [ Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
I like the floor mounted switch with automatic transmissions.......


Much easier to turn the highs off on a winding road when your hands are busy turning the steering wheel and aren't close to the stalk..........
Author:  walpolla [ Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
or you can do what I have on my Valiant. as I have relays running both high and lows,an additional press button that switces the highs on for headlight flash. at present it is on the dash,but the improved version will be on the steering wheel spoke - once I work out how to get power to it without wires getting wound up with the wheel turn.
anyway,it works fine as it is.
all that is required is a press for momentary contact switch,powering the high beam relay. that relay must be power switched,or it would'nt work with the press button system. if it is an earth switched system,it would not work when the lights were off. if that makes sense to you. :?
at least I know what I mean. :lol:

regards,Rod :D
Author:  Jopapa [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:55 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Oh, I donno, I've often thought it'd be fun to be able to "step on the starter".

The only thing I don't like about a kickswitch for the beam selector is that it's impossible to flash your lights at someone if the headlamps are turned off, and it takes a quick tapdance if they're turned on. But I'd happily pick that minor nuisance every time over the idiotic "push the turn signal stalk forward for high beam, pull it back for low beam, pull back more to flash" switches the Japanese introduced and the American makers copied. It's way too easy to knock the stalk into the high beam position when you smack it to signal a turn (or turn on the wipers, or adjust the cruise control, or do any of the zillion other things GM decided we have to do via the turn signal stalk). Then it stays there, and you get clueless morons driving their late-model cars with high-power high beams in traffic.

I think the best arrangement is the one wherein you pull the turn signal stalk all the way back towards you to toggle between low and high beams, and you pull it back slightly to flash. It's really hard to change beams accidentally with that setup.
LOL, my Land Cruiser is my first vehicle, so I'm used to the Japanese push/pull on the turn signal stalk setup. Some cars I've driven were sensetive as hell, but it takes a consious effort to switch on the high beams in my truck. I was actually hoping to find a way to duplicate that in my Duster, but I honestly don't think it'd be easy to do without really cutting into things.

I still have trouble with the kickswitch, maybe because I only drive my Duster in the summer, but as much as I accidentally hit it normally (and my high beam indicator does work, but it's hard to see in broad daylight, so unless I look right there I don't notice they're on during the day), I'm wondering how many times I'll end up hitting it when I'm banging through the gears once the 4spd is installed.

In the end I'd like to lose the windshield washer foot pump too, and weld in a piece of steel that'd be formed to a foot rest.
Author:  440_Magnum [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Relocating high beam switch
Quote:
Having grown up with floor-switched cars, I don't mind having the button down there. Better that than having the starter switch down there, like some vintage cars have.

The floor is where it SHOULD be. It seems like about 80% of the time I have to switch headlamp beams is during a curve on a rural road... exactly the instant I don't want to move one of my hands, but its perfectly easy to flick my left foot over and tap the switch. The only advantage to having it on the stalk is the high-beam "flick" capability for passing or warning folks their high-beams are on. My ideal would be that the stalk is a momentary high-beam only, and the toggle is the floor switch. I may just wire the Jeep up that way...
Author:  slantvaliant [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:37 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
...once I work out how to get power to it without wires getting wound up with the wheel turn.
Here's ONE WAY.
Quote:
... my high beam indicator does work, but it's hard to see in broad daylight ...
This might be a place for an LED upgrade.
Quote:
... and weld in a piece of steel that'd be formed to a foot rest.
Like a dead pedal?

One of my concerns with the "bunch in one" stalks is just that - lots of eggs in one mostly plastic basket. Many are fragile and not really serviceable or reparable.
Author:  440_Magnum [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:37 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
But I'd happily pick that minor nuisance every time over the idiotic "push the turn signal stalk forward for high beam, pull it back for low beam, pull back more to flash" switches the Japanese introduced and the American makers copied.
We agree (see my previous post). The Jeep is the only car I own that has the system you describe, and its a pain in the arse. For one thing, when you DO have the high beams selected, the turn signal stalk is "in the wrong place" so you can't just find it with a fingertip and you have to go hunting for it in the dark. For another, if you do use the "pull to flash high beam" option and let go abruptly, the momentum of the stalk flings it all the way forward to high beam. No problem at night, but in the daytime you often don't notice it until you need to use the turn signals... at which time the stalk is again in the wrong place :-p The only dumber thing that Jeep borrowed from the Japanese is the greasy-shiftin' Asin Warner sludgebox automatic- fortunately I have the AX-15 manual, but its still Japanese.
Quote:
I think the best arrangement is the one wherein you pull the turn signal stalk all the way back towards you to toggle between low and high beams, and you pull it back slightly to flash. It's really hard to change beams accidentally with that setup.
Not for me, I always seem to be on the wrong beam with that setup (which my wife's PT and her old Eagle both have). The stalk may be "in the wrong place" on the Jeep setup, but at least it tells you that something's not right. There's no indication at all, until you turn the lights on, with this setup.
Author:  wjajr [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:11 am ]
Post subject: 
Dan:
Quote:
The only thing I don't like about a kickswitch for the beam selector is that it's impossible to flash your lights at someone if the headlamps are turned off, and it takes a quick tapdance if they're turned on. But I'd happily pick that minor nuisance every time over the idiotic "push the turn signal stalk forward for high beam, pull it back for low beam, pull back more to flash" switches the Japanese introduced and the American makers copied. It's way too easy to knock the stalk into the high beam position when you smack it to signal a turn (or turn on the wipers, or adjust the cruise control, or do any of the zillion other things GM decided we have to do via the turn signal stalk). Then it stays there, and you get clueless morons driving their late-model cars with high-power high beams in traffic.
Ditto Dan.

My 300 has three stocks counting the wheel adjust lever on left side, wife's Nitro has two stocks left, one right positioned at deferent elevations than the 300. I'm forever knocking the high beams on when trying to signal a turn in the 300. or grabbing the cruse control stock to signal... These mutable function stock devices have bee a pain in the rear-end for me since 1976. I long for the floor mounted foot beam change switch. At least the ignition key has been returned to its proper position in the 300, proudly mounted in the dash to the right of the wheel where it belongs.
Author:  volaredon [ Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Relocating high beam switch
Quote:
Quote:
Having grown up with floor-switched cars, I don't mind having the button down there. Better that than having the starter switch down there, like some vintage cars have.

The floor is where it SHOULD be. It seems like about 80% of the time I have to switch headlamp beams is during a curve on a rural road... exactly the instant I don't want to move one of my hands, but its perfectly easy to flick my left foot over and tap the switch.
Yup. You got THAT right!
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