Dodging Work Posted November 26 Report Posted November 26 I am in the process of doing a frame off restoration on a 5 window b1b. It had previously been partially restored, but never completed, especially the interior. The wiper switch was left dangling under the dash. when I went to move it to its proper location, I noticed another switch that has never been correctly placed, but I'm not sure where it would go. It appears to be a fan control switch for the heater. There are no "holes" in the dash where it might go. The four "holes that have been filled are: Head lamps, panel lights, ignition key, choke and throttle. I've included a picture off the Internet to indicate what I'm describing. Any ideas? Quote
JBNeal Posted November 26 Report Posted November 26 I do not see the extra switch dangling in that picture, but I see a glass fuse that I know was not factory installed, so who knows what's going on back there...sounds like ya need to trace some wires to confirm functionality. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted November 26 Report Posted November 26 The wiper switch would be that chrome knob on top of the dash. On vacuum wiper models that lever would operate a valve in the wiper motor to open the vacuum port. On electric wiper systems that was an actual electrical switch to control the motor. Quote
Los_Control Posted November 26 Report Posted November 26 One thing is, on a truck the heater was a option, They were never factory installed. They did have Mopar heaters that were installed at the dealer. I have seen some with a extra set of controls mounted under the dash. They certainly looked factory .... but were dealer installed. Here is a period correct heater switch that came with my truck ..... just mounts by a clamp under the dash. You could make a simple L shaped bracket and mount it under the dash, then install the heater switch to it .... would be a normal installation for the era. Quote
Dodging Work Posted November 26 Author Report Posted November 26 Thanks for the replies. I'm new to this forum and not sure if replying to one, or all. The bracket on your switch is similar to the one on my wiper switch. Maybe the previous guy switched things around. The truck is not stored at my home so it will be a few days before I can get some actual pictures of my truck. I have yet to crawl under the dash, but, that's coming. I hope to strip the cab and get it media blasted. Quote
Los_Control Posted November 26 Report Posted November 26 Not sure if electric wipers was a option on our trucks, or what year they were offered. Many over the years have added electric wipers to these trucks. The chrome switch on top of the dash is for the vacuum operated wipers that was stock for my truck. I believe I see the same switch on your photo. I think you need to look at your wiper motor, decide if it is vacuum or if it has been changed out for a electric motor. Quote
B1B Keven Posted November 26 Report Posted November 26 The trucks that had the dealer installed heater and the optional 'fresh air' package had an extra bracket bolted to the bottom of the dash. Quote
ggdad1951 Posted November 27 Report Posted November 27 16 hours ago, Los_Control said: One thing is, on a truck the heater was a option, They were never factory installed. They did have Mopar heaters that were installed at the dealer. I have seen some with a extra set of controls mounted under the dash. They certainly looked factory .... but were dealer installed. Here is a period correct heater switch that came with my truck ..... just mounts by a clamp under the dash. You could make a simple L shaped bracket and mount it under the dash, then install the heater switch to it .... would be a normal installation for the era. I have that exact one in FEF! 13 hours ago, B1B Keven said: The trucks that had the dealer installed heater and the optional 'fresh air' package had an extra bracket bolted to the bottom of the dash. most of these I've seen in the wild are on the left side of the steering wheel as on the B3/B4 it would be in the way of the cowl vent lever, but I like how it looks in the center. As most have said, likely an aftermarket heater switch. So you end up putting where you want to. Quote
JBNeal Posted November 27 Report Posted November 27 additional information - optional heater control locations Quote
B1B Keven Posted November 27 Report Posted November 27 4 hours ago, ggdad1951 said: most of these I've seen in the wild are on the left side of the steering wheel as on the B3/B4 it would be in the way of the cowl vent lever, but I like how it looks in the center. It has to do with the parking brake. I've only seen the center mounted bracket on '48's and '49's. Quote
MBF Posted November 28 Report Posted November 28 I’ve got one of those switch brackets in a parts truck.. never knew they fit in the center of the dash w the floor mounted parking brake lever. Thanks for the photo, Quote
Merle Coggins Posted December 2 Report Posted December 2 I have that same type of heater fan switch, as Los_Control posted earlier. It's essentially a rheostat to adjust the fan speed. Electric wipers was an option for the B-Series trucks, and was standard in the top cab trim package. (Deluxe or Custom... I always forget which was the top package) A parts truck that I picked up, while building mine, had the factory electric wiper motor. I pulled it, cleaned it up, and put it in my truck along with the wiper switch. The switch mounts in the same hole on top of the dash where the vacuum wiper control goes. The linkage arms and pivots are different than the vacuum wipers, so you need to switch it all to make it work. I ended up gifting my vacuum wiper setup to another forum member nearby that needed to put wipers in his truck. Quote
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