Fitting a Reversing (Back-up) Light

[rev-al]

Has anyone got a neat way of including a reversing light to a vw which didn't have one originally ?
I'd like to wire one into my '70 crew cab ( and the '66 beetle) but assume there is no wire in the loom as provision ?
Many thanks
al

 

[mIKe cAIn]

think its negative switched from the gearbox, you just need the switch which screws into one of the drain plugs and a live to a light then when reverse is selected the switched is closed and light comes on, think switches can be bought fro jk?

i think this is all right lol


here it is

http://shop.justkampers.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_24_476/products_id/9288" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Clarkson46]

The US versions had them as standard. They were connected from the coil (+ve) via a fuse to the reverse light switch which fits into the gearbox nosecone on the LH side. It's a pig to get to when everything is in. If you can find some they were fitted just above the rear lamp clusters.

They looked like this

 

[easy]

Sorry to hyjack, but are the rules on reversing lights, if you have them they have to work?

Or is this just plop :wink:

 

[Clarkson46]

As far as I'm aware they are not part of the MOT.

The switch is item 73 and you may find item 57 is fitted

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/Microfiche/t202900.gif" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[easy]

Does this mean you could just wire in a seperate switch? and operate it as and when its needed?

 

[Clarkson46]

Does this mean you could just wire in a seperate switch? and operate it as and when its needed?

Yes

 

[halfpint_fighter]

We have a crossover, which for some strange reason when they made them with the larger tail light cluster they didn't actually wire up the reverse lights. In fact they fitted a blanking plug instead of bulb holders.
In the last 3 years the reverse lights not working has never caused an MOT problem.

We bought the JK kit which was fairly easy to fit although admittedly i did it while the engine was out!
If the bus is level no oil should spill out the gearbox. You will need the correct attachment to take out the gearbox plug. (Big allen key attachment thing for a ratchet)
I found the switch needed an extra washer to space it out otherwise the reversing lights stayed on!