68 to 79 P/S column conversion

[Chromepro]

As I was preparing to do my 68 to 79 P/S column conversion, I just noticed that the neutral safety switch on the 68 (currently on the truck) is on the column under the dash, while the 79 does not have one (ie: transmission type). I can hear the wife now, "I thought you said you knew what you were doing".
Question: Any ideas on a way to connect the switch to my C-6 tranny or the new column?? Thanks

[fordman]

the very first thing that comes to mind is to try and hook it to the brake pedal with some sort of switch. so you will have to depress the brake in order to start the truck. or the bad way would be to bypass the saftey switch. but i wouldn't. i don't know if there were a way to hook it to the shifter on the 79 column or not.

[Jake11]

Is the key and shifter on the column?

[Chromepro]

Shifter is, but not the key (dash ignition). With further research I've found that at the end of 78, the switch was moved from the column to the tranny shifter linkage. From what I understand, the current linkage can be notched for the switch, or donor linkage from a 79 C-6 installed. Does anyone know if the 68 C-6 and the 79 C-6 have the same type of shifter linkage? Thank you in advance for all your help and happy holidays!

[Jake11]

Don't know for sure. Probably the same. Most C6 parts you can mix and
match. The switch on the tranny was used on the cars with floor shifters.
Look at yours, it will have a round knob on the shift lever, where the
rod for the kickdown lever goes thru. That knob should have 2 slots on
it for the switch on the trans. Think the switch is same as C4 too. It has
the backup lights running thru it to, if you have them.

Keith P

[Chromepro]

Thanks Keith
I'm going to check out the shift lever tonight. I'm not sure if it's correct information, but I'm under the impression that only over-drive tranny linkage can be refit with NSS. Otherwise the neutral switch must be on the column to work, does this sound right to you? Maybe a recycle yard nearby will have the replacement parts.

[Jake11]

Thats where I would go looking. Get everything at once.

[Ford_Doctor]

I don't know about your column but the one I used still had the slot in it for the nuetral switch lever. I just snapped the lever on to the shift tube and attached the switch with sheet metal screws after drilling the holes.