Overdrive display light

[Guest]

Hey guys,
In the process of finally installing my J-type overdrive conversion in my 73 TR6, am a newbie in the use of this device and am about two weeks away from finally getting it on the road. (other things to do as well) Question: have any of you installed an overdrive-display-light on the dash? I thought it would be good to have a discrete indicator light that would light up when the overdrive is engaged, drilled anywhere into the dash. I remember years ago a friend had that on his big Healey and don't know if it was an option. In other words, the light would come on when the OD is being used, especially helpful at night. Or should I stick to fixing teeth....

Bill

 

[MDCanaday]

I like the idea but dont know if the LUCAS demons will take it well!!!! Perhaps a little lcd lamp would draw little enough current as to make no matter,since the smoke only escapes under loads.
MD(mad dog)

 

[piman]

Hello Dr. Bill,
Jaguars had an indicator on their MK 2 model.
Certainly it will be an easy job as you described, (ignore the Lucas jibes from the disrespectful, if Lucas was good enough for the DFV Cosworth F1 engine then!!) but, personally I rely on my ears to let me know if it's in or out.


Alec

 

[Dave Russell]

Once you get familiar with the car, it should be very easy to tell if it is in OD or not. Just like it is easy to tell if it is in third or fourth gear without looking at the shifter. IMO, just another gadget to cause trouble.
D

 

[vagt6]

No, Dr. Bill, it's a great idea and I'd like to have such a light for my GT6 Jtype.

It should be easy enough to do by tapping the light's hot wire into the wiring harness (white wire, I think?), maybe at the OD on/off switch (mine has a column switch on the left side of the steering column, your's probably has the shift lever/gear knob switch).

I think I'll put my light in the handbrake warning dash light.

Here'a a link with a pretty good wiring diagram of a Jtype to give you an idea of where to start:
https://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/technical/JOD/JOD1/JOD1.htm

Let me know what you decide, it would be useful to everyone with an OD.

 

[Bugeye58]

Indicator light? We don' need no steenking indicator light!
Tach, Speedo, ear. What more do you need? If I put one on my GT6, I'd probably have to upgrade to an alternator!
Jeff

 

[Paul Johnson]

Light would be easy enough to install; for example, how about the oil pressure warning lamp, since you have a real pressure gauge and don't need that? But as many say here, you'll not really need the light, being in tune with the car. Biggest problem with the o/d is getting back into a regular car and constantly hitting the turn signal switch hoping to drop a few revs.

 

[piman]

Hello Dr. Bill,
if you follow the diagram on the link given, you will need to pick up the lamp supply from the solenoid or the switched side of the 3rd\4th gear inhibitor switch. Connecting anywhere else will not give a true indication. By the way my Triumph has a relay to switch power to the solenoid as it takes good bit of current initially to draw in the solenoid. The solenoid is actually double wound with an internal switch to switch off the heavy 'pull in' circuit. Might be worth considering fitting one.

Alec

[ 02-11-2004: Message edited by: piman ]</p>

 

[Ralphanator]

Back in the day when i owned a 71 TR6 with overdrive it did not have a light! It sounds like a good ideal but I didn't feel the need at the time!