After market steering column with turn signal

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:13 pm

Can anyone give me any ideas on a steering column for my beach buggy? I was thinking of going stock but just dont like it, besides I will mount the ignition switch on the dash and just need an after market column that I can mount a turn signal in to. What have you used on yours?

jspbtown · Post by **jspbtown** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:27 pm

I just purchased a flaming river tilt column for my Manx. I plan on using a Borgenson universal to mate the two. In the past I used a chevette titl column in my Sterling kit car, using the same Borgenson u-joint. Both flaming river and ididit have custom columns that can be adapted to work with the VW box. Here is a nice, albeit pricey, column: http://www.flamingriver.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=107/category_id=93/home_id=62/mode=prod/prd107.htm

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:36 pm

I can also use a strainght shaft with a flange to accept the steering wheel and then a joint to hook to the box but the universal turn signal would spin with the shaft as I turn! Any ideas?

jspbtown · Post by **jspbtown** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:04 pm

No reason to have to use a column mounted turn signal switch. You can use a center off DPDT toggle switch mounted on the dash. Not amazingly convienent, but it works.

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:32 pm

Not knowing what Flaming River column you are using I do know the stock VW T/S switch fits at least one of their columns like it was made for it.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:43 pm

What is a DPDT toggle switch ? Any web site for a selection of aftermarket or universal switches?

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:49 pm

DPDT = Double pole, double throw. Basically center position is off, flip the switch to the right for one circuit or flip it to the left of center for the other circuit.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:52 pm

AKA on-off-on switch. My buggy has one of those. Pain in the back to lean all the way to the dash. Can't wait to re-wire and get it where it belongs.

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:04 am

If you look closely at the picture you can see an aluminum lever I made for a DPDT turn signal switch. It fastens with a couple set screws. The roll cage in this particular boggy wouldn't allow for the fitment of a stock T/S switch. I had to keep shortening the lever (lightening it) until it wouldn't turn on when the buggy went over heavy bumps

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:15 am

Can anyone direct me into a web store for aftermarket switches? Have searched all this time with no luck

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:36 am

Any local parts house should have them. I bought one last week (keep kicking it getting in). Bought it at Advance Discount auto parts. It was 3 or 4 dollars.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:39 am

Try Waytek. I've had good luck with their stuff. http://www.waytekwire.com

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:28 am

Here is a DPDT switch... http://order.waytekwire.com/CGI-BIN/LAN ... 42+M37+ENG This place has about everything you need in electrical parts for a buggy. http://www.waytekwire.com I have been toying with using one of these switches on my next build.

TURN INDICATOR SWITCH Dash mounted The green knob illuminates as an indicator light warning. ?15 each + ?2.50 P&P It's available from this place: http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 8:51 am

if you are thinking about doing the toggle switch idea I would suggest using two different switches. One for the left and one for the right. This is what I'm doing in my baja bug. I figured it would be easier to hit the left one up to turn it on and then just slap it down to turn it off instead of trying to fiddle with it and get it in the middle so both are off. I've used this same method for my horn. just a flick of the wrist is all it takes. No precision muscle moments here just pure laziness!

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 4:52 pm

My '59 MGA had a turn signal switch similar to what Jerry found. It had some sort of pneumatic mechanism in it that once you moved the handle in the direction of the turn, it would S-L-O-W-L-Y return to center. If you had a long wait for the light, you'd have to hold it. Moss Motors carries the MG replacement, but at $164.95 plus S/H, I think there's better solutions. Maybe there's some electronics you could snag off a wrecked motorcycle that has timed turn signals.