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Triumph TR6 - early under dash ignition

Never did get used to starting my 70 TR6 with that under the dash setup, must have fat fingers.
Anyway today I went ahead and put a push to start switch in the dash. Sooooo much better.
Nice hole in dash plate just below and to left of speedo makes a nice template. Picked up a nice push switch at radio shack, some connectors and shrink tubing. Looks and works great. Kinda like the early jag E type push switch. : ) If you have an early TR and struggle a little with turning the key in that funky ignition shroud I'd consider this mod.
Ian Kinaid

I bought a new ignition switch and put it between the heater switches. Then added a push button starter in place of the dash light rheostat. Had to use a stainless steel washer to help cover the hole. Looks and works great. I took the rheostat wires and spliced them together. Now my dash lights are brighter and I can actually read the guages at night. Someone mentioned before that the rheostat can cause fires anyway.
Steve H

Great ideas both! Rick C. any potential problem from tying the roe wires together?
Don k.
DON KELLY

Did you have to take out the steering lock mechanism?
What wires do you use? WR?
Bryn

Don and Steve
It was I who mentioned it a few times about bypassing the reostat dash light dimmer.
Don, that is exactly what to do...connect the 2 reostat wires together. Obviously make your connection so there is no bare wire visible...best way is with M and F butt connectors with a little dielectric grease. My dash light dimmer has been bypassed since day one of the restore and I have no worries of a fire from this reostat. Besides, who is going to turn down the dash lights when you can not see them anyway.
Rick C
Rick Crawford

Hi all

Regarding changing over the ignition. Best idea ever unless looking for points car.

Remove the switch and the "steering lock system". And change to whatever. Key and starter button on dash just feels right. If something comes loose you don't want your wheel locked up at 60. For Bryn's girlfriend that may be the last straw? So take out the old system! Posted removal on Bryn's other question.

The security thing was the stupidest idea ever contrived on any car. Right up there with airbags. Only there to make some insurance bean counters happy. Seen a club lately?

Safety is a roll cage and a 5 point harness. Like in Nascar were all the cars weigh about the same. And there are no cement structures just waiting for your super safe Volvo to get punted into by that 18 wheeler you just cut off?

With key and starter seperate you will stop majority of joy riding kids! The kid that figures it out is the one to bail out and get him to help with the car.:)

If a pro wants the car and I mean any car with any device. Its gone!

Sort of like locking the doors on a convertable? I have a small sign on every window that reads "DOORS ARE OPEN" "TAKE WHAT YOU WANT" "LEAVE THE F##N ROOF ALONE" after losing a $500 top over three 8 tracks which dates me and the sign?


Bill
Bill Brayford

A friend of mine does an alteration to every car he buys. He connects an inline switch to the ignition wire and hides it somewhere under the dash. (the choice of wire would be the WR from starter to ignition switch). A nice KISS approach to anti-theft.
Rick C
Rick Crawford

Bryn,

I left the ignition switch in place. I still use key to unlock steering and turn to run position.
Just a simple starter kick switch. connected to I believe 1 and 3 postions on ignition switch. Brown and white/red wire. I did take off the stterring wheel to install just a lot easier work space.
Ian Kinaid

This thread was discussed between 10/06/2003 and 11/06/2003

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