79 C-10 3 on the tree column to automatic column swap

[Torque454]

Ive got a 79 C10, came factory with a 3 speed manual with a column shifter (didn't know they still made a 3 on the tree that late). Anyways the shift portion was all worn out and I had a 454 and TH400 that needed to be used so I've put them in this truck. Now then. Ive removed the old column and have the new column ready to go. However the old column has a two wire switch down at the bottom (where the neutral safety switch is on the auto column) and the auto column has a SEVEN wire switch. I think Ive figured out how to wire it up using the two wire connector already under the dash, and the reverse light wires under the truck, except for the one last pin. What is it for? Two pins are for the "park" position of the switch. Two are for the "reverse" portion of the switch and two are for the "neutral" position of the switch. However, the seventh one? The only think I can think of would be the shift indicator but I thought that was a mechanical thing not an electronic thing.

Any ideas?

[VileZambonie]

Gotta see a pic. Is the 2 wire a flat connector? Does it have cruise? Are the wiper controls on the column? Before you had a clutch safety switch. If you do a search there's a few posts with pics and diagrams.

[Torque454]

Its a flat connector. The clutch safety switch was somewhere else, its been disconnected. Id probably have to use it for the park or neutral part of the new switch. I dont have a pic yet but i'll try to take one today. The new column is from a pre 83 truck so there is no cruise control or wiper control on the column. Its pretty much the same thing i took out except it has an automatic shifter and tilt where the other one was non tilt and setup for a 3 speed manual on the column shifter, and it has a 2 pin switch in place of the 7 pin switch on the other column.

Like i said i'll get a pic today. Im not sure what to search for to find the pics and diagrams you are talking about. Im new here...

[VileZambonie]

So you just need to wire up the reverse lights and nss to the new switch.

http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/techinfo/wiring_diagrams/77-80_cab_inter.jpg

[Torque454]

I think the switch on the bottom of the old column is the reverse light switch. However the parts store computer says the reverse light switch for the MT is on the transmission. Anyways, the wires from that switch are light green and dark blue. I think the original connector and all will hook directly up to the new column.

The yellow and purple wires that are shown in the diagram have been cut and spliced together. I guess they were for the neutral start switch. I thought i pulled a connector off that switch, but maybe not. I'm guessing its been tampered with. So it sounds like i can either leave it alone and not have a park/neutral safety switch,  or i can wire them up. I don't know that its really necessary but i might do it anyways i don't know.

[VileZambonie]

Wire it up. You'll regret it when you bump the key and your truck takes off.