Everyone who has changed out a turn signal switch..........

[cosmo]

is it possible to change the turn signal switch in a 3 on the tree column without disassembling the column?
My 1966 is my no kidding daily driver and I want to avoid taking it out of commission for too many days.
Although I never did a switch replacment before, I have pulled my steering wheel a dozen times and I changed out the 3 speed collar 7-8 years ago...but never removed the switch (unless I had to remove it it get the collar off ) I dont remember
thanks
cosmo

[bruceandersson]

You only have to pull the steering wheel.

[banjopicker66]

Yes, it is not the easiest, but with a little patience and foresight, it can be done.
The biggest problem is feeding the wiring, and if you use a leader string or wire, then you don't need to remove the collar, if I remember right.
Feeding the new wires is easy IF you prepare before you pull the old switch. Here is my suggestion.
1. CUT the old wires (the ones going into the column) off the two plugs below the column. This will give you the correct placement for the new wires, by color code. DON'T remove the switch and wires yet.
2. To each of the cut wires, wire up a long piece of scrap wire for a puller. I recommend one puller for each wire, as the channel inside the column is quite narrow, and a bulged up bundle can get stuck inside the column.
3. Pull each original wire (with its attached puller) up and out of the column one by one. Be sure to leave enough pulling wire at the bottom.
4. Attach each puller wire to one of the new wires and pull them down through the column.
There is a special tool available to unhook the retaining clips of the old wires in the plugs, but I found a straight pin can work OK too.
Good luck!

[unibody madness]

I would suggest doing it in two steps. Take just the steering wheel off and make sure which of the various switches ford used is on your truck.
When you have the right switch, follow Johns advice above.My early 61s have staggered individual bullet connecters. I just removed the old and fed in the new, Takes longer to clean and repaint the column parts, but just the switch should take a couple of hours first time out.
John

[bird55]

Agree with whats been said. I Used thin welding rod to pull new wires. Works great

[bobenhotep]

I pulled the old switch up and cut the wires at the base. i taped the new wires to the old ones and pulled them through. Any of the above ways work, though.

[Hazdri]

I just did mine last week. I agree with all that is said. I used some parachord and taped it around all the ends. It was tight but doable. I also would suggest loosing the bracket down by the dash. That seemed to help with wiggle and pull.

Also, check out this write up.

http://mongrelmotorsports.purpleflyingm ... witch.html

Hope that helps.

[cosmo]

Thanks for the help and the advice everyone. you all just planned my weekend for me!

[bird55]

Almost forgot. You may want to use some aerosol silicone product, down the column where the wires travel before you start just to help things get more slippery. don't need much. you can also use it on the connector block, before removing wires.

[foodstick]

You know whats funny? I have seen so many of those big clunky after market turn signals on our trucks, the ones that bolt on outside the column.. they almost look right !

[bobenhotep]

Say it ain't so!

[Greg D]

Some shrink tubing or a wrapping of electrical tape will help get it through the column also.

[6166 Junkyard Dog]

THIS Is how I have been doing for 20+ years, building many columns as well,,, I need a quiet area, Then 1 wire at a time and starting with the thinness wires one at a time and if you listen closely you can hear the wires going through the column and coming out at the proper place then leaving the thicker ones to last till get all 7 in sometimes I will the turn signal switch mounting plate attached and sometimes not,,, Of course I only use original Ford switches period, I have tried those Tawain pieces of xxxx and had nothing but problems..