Chevrolet Cab 11 Instrument Lights

[Bob Carriere]

You are correct Owens what we call a 3 way switch maybe wrong and is actually a left and right position the middle (off) is slightly lower position. Still can't figure out why they had a split as the instrument panels I have examined ( I have Chevs and old GMC) only have two little lights........ i.e. I am using a NOS GMC cluster because that is what I have and have seen enough mix match on early cab..even early cab 13 to say it is acceptable.

Cheers

[Owen Evans]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Still can't figure out why they had a split as the instrument panels I have examined ( I have Chevs and old GMC) only have two little lights....

Hmmm. Given that my instruction book which identifies the three lights in the wiring diagram (August 1940) states 'built for British War Department' on the cover, I wonder if the third light with the blackout hood was a purely British requirement? In the summer of 1940, we were getting bombed on a regular basis, so blackout conditions prevailed.

Given that by July 1941 (or possibly earlier) the third instrument light had been deleted, I guess it wasn't all that successful.

Owen.

[Bob Carriere]

Mine is built for the Department of National Defence
Canada

date July 1940

Out of curiousity.... when you check the diagram the said swithc toggles between off and one light or off and two lights....????/

....also noticed there are no provision for a rear axle convoy light !!!!!!!!

My truck never left Canada so never had a need for total black out system.

will need to look up the wiring diagram I used from the MB C1 manual.

Cheers

[Owen Evans]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Out of curiousity.... when you check the diagram the said swithc toggles between off and one light or off and two lights....????/

....also noticed there are no provision for a rear axle convoy light !!!!!!!

Correct on both counts, Bob. The diagram in my book shows the switch toggles from ONE LIGHT to OFF to TWO LIGHTS. Also doesn't show the axle light or switch.

But my chassis does have the remains of a 'Butlers' axle light and what may once have been a bakelite switch on the rear crossmember; I suspect a later addition. Similar to the attached photo, but the remains of the switch is on the actual crossmember.

Owen.

[Bob Carriere]

My cab 11 frame did have the holes punched out for installing the big HI beam switch so I did and found a NOS rear axle light which I retro fitted.....and painted the rear axle cover flat white. 30 years from now someone will try to figure this one out!!!!!

Bob C