ORIGINAL brake light switch location 35-36 Ford

Lawson Cox

Lawson Cox

Well-known member
I have gotten old and forgetful, and can't figure out just how an original brake light switch for 35-36 attaches and mates with the brake pedal. Can anyone 'splain it to me or perhaps post a picture. I've looked all around under my truck and really can't figure out just how it goes. Same with Ron Frances lever switch, but I'm calling them. Thanks fellows.
 
Lawson, pull your driver side wooden floorboard and eyeball the brake pedal arm. You'll see the switch contacting the at rest position of the arm. The pedal gets pushed, the the contact is released, the brake lights go on. If that doesn't happen or not at precisely the time you'd prefer, the position of the switch mount should have an elongated hole to allow adjustment. If it doesn't have that slotted hole, it's easy enough to remove the switch to modify that mounting hole.
 
Does the original switch mount to the wooden floorboard? If so, that's why I can't find any mounting holes as the wooden floorboard is new. I'll crawl back under it and smoke it over a little closer with that info in mind. Thanks.
 
The switch mounts to the pedal bracket. I will post some pictures later today of the parts.

Added photos of 1935 pedal assembly and brake light switch, may be helpful to someone in the future.
 

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Lawson, look just below where the brake rod hooks to the pedal , there is a raised round button on the back of the pedal that contacts the brake light switch plunger and the switch mounts with two bolts to the pedal mounting bracket.


Lawson , Do you have Hydraulic brakes? If you do and used a 39 pedal assembly there will be no mount for a mechanical switch.
Bill

Lawson , I just remembered you do have Hydraulic brakes, just use the hydraulic switch made by Standard that's what I use and have had no problems.
 
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Lawson Cox said:
Does the original switch mount to the wooden floorboard? If so, that's why I can't find any mounting holes as the wooden floorboard is new. I'll crawl back under it and smoke it over a little closer with that info in mind. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Lawson ...As you now know, the original switch DID NOT mount on the wooden board. But, you should be able to take the NEW switch under the truck with you. Reach-up with the new switch and hold the switch under the brake pedal where it looks like the pedal will easily actuate the switch arm.

SUGGESTION: ..... The higher on the pedal that you locate the switch, the sooner in the brake pedal stroke that the switch will illuminate the brake lights. Once you locate a good location on the wooden board to mount the switch, use a "SHARPIE" to mark the two screw holes on the wooden floor panel. Now, you can use a SMALL diameter drill bit to make two pilot holes for a couple of good, wood fasteners. I'd try to use #8 (or #10 if holes in switch are big enough) HEX HEAD wood screws 3/4" long so that you can use a small, 1/4"-drive socket to thread them into your two pilot holes. DD
 
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EVERYONE .....There is a little more to the story. Lawson obtained a new LEVER-type switch. He needs to mount it on his wooden floor board, under his brake pedal. Since his floor board has been replaced, it has no mounting holes drilled. He's trying to figure-out where his original switch is located, although he is trying to work-around a bad hydraulic switch...........crazy! Anyway, he needs to mount the new switch something like below. DD


475003
 
Hey Coop. Gotcha. My new Ron Francis switch doesn't have the "leg" on it. I may mount mine "sideways" or drill a hole in the lever and put a bolt through it. With all the help I now "see the light" Thanks to all. Lawson.
 
Here is a lever switch mounted horizontally under the floor board on a '35.

May need to squint a little so as to obscure the un-Ford stuff in picture (of course the switch itself is the other brand too).
 

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rich b said:
Here is a lever switch mounted horizontally under the floor board on a '35.

May need to squint a little so as to obscure the un-Ford stuff in picture (of course the switch itself is the other brand too).
Click to expand...

That is the way I'm gonna mount mine. Makes a lotta sense. Now that I recall, I had one mounted diagonally like that on my 39 Mercury.
 
Now I remember. I'm using 39 pedals so they won't accept the 35-36 brake light switch. When I get my brake light switch going again I'll post pictures of LEDs with Mart's cup cake liners.
 
I'm sorry to revive this conversation but it fits my problem perfectly. 1935 Ford. I am trying to mount my brake switch. I found the two holes on the brake arm as shown in the 4th post above. Am I correct in saying that the switch mounts on top, long "arm" pointing forward? It doesn't seem to engage anything. Should I wiggle it around?
 
Been a while; but from my recollection of the switch; it is not an "arm" but instead a plunger that is depressed (pushed into the switch body) at rest and released (allowed to extend from the switch body) when the pedal is depressed completing the circuit and powering the brake lights.
 
rich b said:
Been a while; but from my recollection of the switch; it is not an "arm" but instead a plunger that is depressed (pushed into the switch body) at rest and released (allowed to extend from the switch body) when the pedal is depressed completing the circuit and powering the brake lights.
Click to expand...
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Henry Ford IV said:
OH, so the plunger is depressed at rest! I didn't know that. So, now I need to know if I have it oriented properly.
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Not sure of the quality of those repop switches; but I always check switches for function before installing them.

A meter or powered test light can be used to verify switch operation before installation and for proper operation before connecting the harness wires.
 
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