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Thread: Dimmer switch

  1. #1
    Senior Member Walt's Avatar
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    Dimmer switch

    Hi all, i am wanting to install a foot operated dimmer switch, was wandering how the best way asfar as how and where to mount it, and is there a best switch to get?
    Thanks
    Walt
    FFR8237 Donor build 89 GT , MK 4 , T5 , 17 " hallibrands 9" front 10.5 rear ,4×4 headers stainless mufflers, dual chrome roll bars, coil overs all 4,A/C and heater , soft top, 3:55 gears.

  2. #2
    Papa's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Walt View Post
    Hi all, i am wanting to install a foot operated dimmer switch, was wandering how the best way asfar as how and where to mount it, and is there a best switch to get?
    Thanks
    Walt
    Walt,

    If you'd like to look at how I did mine, you can start at post # 196 of my build thread:

    https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l=1#post293666

    I made a simple bracket to hold the switch and then wired the high/low beams through a double throw relay.






    This is the switch I bought:

    https://www.amazon.com/Painless-8015...t+dimmer+floor

    Let me know if you have any questions.

    Dave
    Last edited by Papa; 07-01-2018 at 05:45 PM.
    My Build Thread: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...ter-Build-9754
    (Most viewed Roadster build thread on this forum!)

    Delivered: 6/17/2017
    First Start: 12/30/2017
    Completed: 12/7/2019
    Legal: 1/30/2020

    Member of the Mile-Hi Cobra Club
    Dave's Cobra YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbk...npK1UZHj4R-bYQ
    Agora 1:8 Scale Cobra Build: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l-Build-Thread

  3. #3
    Out Drivin' Gumball's Avatar
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    Hi Walt -

    I used an OEM foot dimmer for a '60s Ford and found a wiring harness for it through NPD that I was able to connect into my headlight switch with no issue.

    I made an angled bracket for it and mounted it to the chassis tube down near the front left corner of the footbox - I added a rubber head to it for a finished look. The whole set-up actually makes a great foot rest, too.

    Later,
    Chris

    "There are no more monsters to fear, and so, we have to build our own."
    Mk3.1 #7074

  4. #4
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    I mounted mine up top of the pipe in the footwell and hit it with my toe.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Walt's Avatar
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    Thanks guys, Chris did you weld or bolt the bracket, your picture is cut off, it looks like what im thinking about, my car is built so would be very tough to weld in the footbox.
    Dave, if you used a relay then is the switch not a dimmer switch i will look at both build threads and see how you both did it.
    Thanks
    Walt
    FFR8237 Donor build 89 GT , MK 4 , T5 , 17 " hallibrands 9" front 10.5 rear ,4×4 headers stainless mufflers, dual chrome roll bars, coil overs all 4,A/C and heater , soft top, 3:55 gears.

  6. #6
    Papa's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Walt View Post
    Thanks guys, Chris did you weld or bolt the bracket, your picture is cut off, it looks like what im thinking about, my car is built so would be very tough to weld in the footbox.
    Dave, if you used a relay then is the switch not a dimmer switch i will look at both build threads and see how you both did it.
    Thanks
    Walt
    Walt,

    With the relay the switch is just a trigger for the high beams. The low beams are the default. I just ran the existing feed wire to power the relay as well as feed the dimmer switch. Then, I used the existing harness wires for low and high beam. Very simple setup, and if the switch ever fails, I'll still have low beams.

    Dave
    Last edited by Papa; 07-02-2018 at 09:24 PM.
    My Build Thread: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...ter-Build-9754
    (Most viewed Roadster build thread on this forum!)

    Delivered: 6/17/2017
    First Start: 12/30/2017
    Completed: 12/7/2019
    Legal: 1/30/2020

    Member of the Mile-Hi Cobra Club
    Dave's Cobra YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbk...npK1UZHj4R-bYQ
    Agora 1:8 Scale Cobra Build: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l-Build-Thread

  7. #7
    Senior Member Lowrod's Avatar
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    7C39D630-8F34-4BB1-8DC2-7BB756B5B3E0.jpeg

    I mounted mine to the driver footbox resting against the frame round upright and bolted to the footbox side panel angled area. Worked out real well.

  8. #8
    Out Drivin' Gumball's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Walt View Post
    Thanks guys, Chris did you weld or bolt the bracket, your picture is cut off, it looks like what im thinking about, my car is built so would be very tough to weld in the footbox.
    Dave, if you used a relay then is the switch not a dimmer switch i will look at both build threads and see how you both did it.
    Thanks
    Walt
    It's actually just riveted in place. It's a piece of aluminum that I hammered on a curved surface to match the radius of the tubes, then just drilled and riveted it in place.
    Later,
    Chris

    "There are no more monsters to fear, and so, we have to build our own."
    Mk3.1 #7074

  9. #9
    Senior Member Walt's Avatar
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    Chris, i cant find the harness for the dimmer switch at NPD , would you happen to have the part #?
    Thanks
    Walt
    FFR8237 Donor build 89 GT , MK 4 , T5 , 17 " hallibrands 9" front 10.5 rear ,4×4 headers stainless mufflers, dual chrome roll bars, coil overs all 4,A/C and heater , soft top, 3:55 gears.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Walt's Avatar
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    I found the switch and plug pigtail at my local napa store , so now the mount, thinking about coping Daves box but weld up out of some diamond plate i have laying around.
    Thanks again guys
    Walt
    FFR8237 Donor build 89 GT , MK 4 , T5 , 17 " hallibrands 9" front 10.5 rear ,4×4 headers stainless mufflers, dual chrome roll bars, coil overs all 4,A/C and heater , soft top, 3:55 gears.

  11. #11
    Senior Member Walt's Avatar
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    I decided there wasnt enough room between the frame and the clutch petal so i moved it up, i also decided to build the mount out of material i already had laying around, this is how it ended up, not wired yet had to wait for the connector.20180704_103441-1280x960.jpg20180704_072133-1280x960.jpg
    Thanks for the help
    Walt
    FFR8237 Donor build 89 GT , MK 4 , T5 , 17 " hallibrands 9" front 10.5 rear ,4×4 headers stainless mufflers, dual chrome roll bars, coil overs all 4,A/C and heater , soft top, 3:55 gears.

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