Ever since I picked up the parking brake switch and light (dealer installed one) I have contemplated how I want to install it. One thing I know for sure is I don’t want to drill a hole in my dash for the light. I also have often thought it is kind of lame that the light does not say anything on it. Last year I picked up a tilt away to add that option to my car, so now I have been thinking about adding the convenience light group option solving my dilemma on the parking brake light.
I have an early built car, sports console and AC. If I did my research right they had lenses that were dark and you could only basically see the wording when lit. Also from the research I have done (mostly found on Mustang sites) I know the placement of the individual lights in the console face pad and the light colors, but would like confirmation on this in case Cougar was different than Mustang. I have also read that some of lights are flashing bulbs?
I have found a set of lights/lenses like this that I can get for a fair price. I would then have to acquire the pad which there is one on ebay (more than I want to pay wish WCCC had some at their price) The ebay pad almost looks like the light benzels are on the face of the pad, but I’m inclined to think the they fit inside the pad holes. Anyone have any close up pics?
Then there are the additional components. For the low fuel rather than getting the in tank sender, I was wondering what thoughts are on the electronic unit WCCC offers for on the gauge? I would need to get different door latches, then the last light would be the belt light. Is that light just tied into the light that also comes on in the dash for a few seconds then goes off, or were there actually switches in the seat belts that made that light come on if not fastened?
As far as the wiring, I was thinking of trying to custom make harnesses. It looks like the lights are the same as these maybe?
The door ones may be a little trickier to ‘make’ Obviously trying to get this period correct looking, but without spending the big bucks on all factory correct parts.
Maybe I am just crazy…I get things like this in my head, and then can’t let go of them.
Here is a link too for Cougar lights. I am a bit confused by these. I assume they are for a latter in the model year 67 because they have the all red lights with the white words, but I didn’t think one of the light options ever was “Flasher”?
Dave, are you trying to keep it strictly stock looking?
You have other choices.
1967-68 Standard Cougar, without air conditioning, had the visual check panel in the center dash panel. Also hard to find.
1967-68 Standard Cougar, with air conditioning, had the visual check panel in the console like you indicate.
A third option, is adding the overhead console from an XR7. Additionally it would also give you map reading lights.
Just an FYI, most of the door latches do not have the provision for adding door ajar switches. You would have to MacGyver something with your existing door latches.
We had a customer that was adding the visual check panel or convenience group option to a 1967 Mustang. He planned to use the door pin switch for the courtesy lights to light up the door ajar indicator.
Yes I would be aiming for a stock look. So with the AC they would need to go in the console. I had thought about the overhead console idea, but I doubt that could be accomplished without effecting the headliner, and being that my car is done and my headliner came out very nice I’d rather not go there, unless I’m wrong and it could be done somehow?
I realize the door latches would most likely have to change. I have seen those come up for roughly 100.00 each. I’m pretty creative when I want to be so if there is a way to add the switches to existing latches I may be able to pull that off. I can’t say I looked at enough images of the two different latches to even tell what the differences are. What do you mean by door pin switch? Your not talking about the courtesy light switches?
The door latches and wire harness’ and switches wouldn’t be terrible to buy through you guys. I tried viewing photos of the XR7 latches vrs the standard ones, and I am not seeing where the ajar switches would mount up. The courtesy switches are an interesting idea although IDK that your courtesy lights are on if the door is just ajar. I suppose it depends on the sensitivity of the switch, and then it kind of defeats the addition on a added convenience light because you would just know your door is ajar if the interior lights were on, just like I am sure one would know their parking brake is on if the car moved like crap
The overhead console idea isn’t on the table if headliner has to come down.
You have any thoughts on that switch you guys sell for on the fuel gauge, or anyone else used one?
The ELFI low fuel light would be a good choice for this. It replaces the relay (that you don’t have) and also gives you a solid state Instrument Voltage Regulator. You have to do some wiring anyway so it should be the easiest way to make this work.
There is a small tab of metal that sticks out at a 90 degree angle from the main flat plate, the one that has the mounting holes in it to mount it to the door. There is one small round hole in for the screw to go through to attach the door ajar switch.
Thanks for the photo Randy. If it is just that tab if I knew the precise location of it and dimensions, I could easily fab and tig weld a small tab like that to my existing door latches I would think. I think the grade B door harnesses that WCCC offers would be a far better investment than trying to fabricate my own. Still unsure about the fuel light. The reviews on that electronic unit at WCCC are not good. Can anyone tell me on the belt light, when they added the convenience group did both lights come on (the one in the dash and the convenience light), or did the disconnect the dash one?
Would be interested in a dash face pad for a standard 67 for the lights if any one has one. There is one on ebay right now for 245.00. Was hoping to find one for a little less
The ELFI is a product that requires a little more than average understanding of electronic products. I think at least one of the reviews is unfair and should be removed. The inventor is occasionally on this board and can help you with it.
Conversely if you want to do it the way Ford did it, it’s possible. You will need a low fuel sender and relay. I can help with the sender. The relay and harness pop up on eBay or WCCC has them
Now if I am correct in my research those would all be examples of either late 67, or 68 models correct, because you have the lettering silk screened on the outside of the lenses and can read it without it being lit up? The lenses I would be after for an early 67 car would be the ones that have little to know visibility to the lettering because it’s screened on the back and the coloring is also a little harder to tell, unless lit up?
It’s good to know Bill that the inventor frequents the forum. I could tell from reading the one review that it obviously takes more electrical wisdom that just being able to crimp a wire. I would be interested in chatting with him. I wouldn’t be against the original way Ford did it either purchasing the sender and relay, but IDK what it would take to get the wiring right from front to back for it. There are a couple of NOS relays on ebay now for a fair price in think.
Scott you don’t know if you guys have any of those console face pads floating around in any condition (well as long as the vinyl isn’t tore)? I could fix one it it was delaminating some. Site shows no stock.
One thing I know for sure is I don’t want to drill a hole in my dash for the light. I also have often thought it is kind of lame that the light does not say anything on it. Last year I picked up a tilt away to add that option to my car, so now I have been thinking about adding the convenience light group option solving my dilemma on the parking brake light.
