I have been searching the discussion board but have been unable to locate anything on the subject of a brake light switch that will activate when using either the reverse pedal or the brake pedal. I am pretty new to driving my truck, but in reading up on things, there appears to be quite a bit of justification for using the reverse pedal to slow the vehicle and then the brake pedal to stop the vehicle as a way to even out the wear on the bands. If you use this technique and you have installed brake lights, your lights are not going to activate when you slow the vehicle using the reverse pedal. Has anyone rigged up a switch that activates using both pedals? Is this getting too far into the weeds?
First off I'm not sure that getting into the habit of using reverse to slow/stop is a great idea but that's for others to tell. As far as a switch is concerned the Fun Projects stop light kit might answer. The switch is hard mounted to the trans and uses a light spring to the brake pedal to activate it. I imagine you can order a second spring with the kit and run it from the switch activation lever and the reverse pedal. In other words 2 springs coming off the switch lever with one going to the brake pedal and the other to the rev. pedal. They would operate independently. Easiest thing I can think of and it's a great kit for the money. Easy to install and every thing fits perfectly.
The reverse drum is much weaker than the brake drum and will overheat and crack. It is made to be held in place by the band while backing up. The brake drum is heavier and will withstand more slippage than the reverse drum. You should try to plan ahead your stops and try to slow as much as possible, even gearing down before coming to a stop before using the reverse as a last resort if you lose your brakes. If you live in hilly country or heavy traffic areas where you need more stopping power, you should install auxiliary brakes. Those brakes will mount directly to your rear wheels and will work even though you might have a break in the drivetrain. It is also a very good idea to have lined shoes on your emergency brake for the same reason.
Norm
I have a switch on the brake pedal, that are activated as the pedal move sideways during activation. The same kind of switch could be used on the reverse - but keep in mind that it will ALSO lit when you actually drive backwards.
I looked at your profile, and if you are driving a TT truck as the picture indicates, that is all the more reason for auxhiliary brakes. There are several stoplight switches available. Some mount to the transmission cover and are operated by sideward movement of the pedal, others mount on the starter bendix cover and also operated by sideways movement of the pedal. Others mount on one of the bolts holding on the transmission cover and are operated by a weak spring to the pedal. The latter could be connected by two springs to each of the brake and the reverse pedal. I would still strongly suggest that you have another way of stopping your vehicle other than the reverse pedal, and use reverse only as a last resort.
Norm
I too was taught to alternate between the reverse and brake pedal when stopping but after looking into this practice further I realize it is not a good idea for the reasons Charlie B. stated. In an emergency you certainly can and should apply the reverse as well as the brake to get yourself stopped but I no longer use the reverse pedal routinely while driving. I do have lined brake shoes and have carefully adjusted them for even braking force and use those more routinely along with my brake pedal when I am in traffic and need to make a quicker than normal stop.
It is best to use the engine to slow down as much as possible then use the brake to complete the stop. Also it is a good idea to drive down steep hills in low. I would not use reverse to slow down. Like others have said the reverse drum is too thin and will be easily broken. I see you have a TT. All TT's have lined drum brake shoes and they can be used to help you slow down. You could also install a brake equalizer which will allow you to apply the drum brakes with the brake pedal. I have installed two and they really are worth the effort.
http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/4845
Stephen
Thanks for the advice. I do have the Rocky Mountain Brakes installed and I have brake lights with a switch like Michael described where it activates during the sideways motion of the pedal as you depress the brake. I really do not like that brake switch, as it interferes with the brake pedal that can be purchased to replace the original so that you can activate the rocky mountain brakes. I really want to check out that switch that Charlie has recommended from "Fun Projects" as it looks very neat and it keeps the switch out of the way a bit. I will need to check and see if it is something I can use though as I have an auxiliary transmission and that might interfere. I appreciate the advice about not using reverse as that seems awkward to me anyway and wasn't sure how anyone with feet as big as mine could ever do that.
The other option not mentioned is to get a set of brake lights with 2 bulbs in each housing. Hook up one set of lights to each pedal. Just a thought....
Norman, I was interested in your comment that driving a TT means one would have a greater need for accessory brakes. A TT has a lower final drive ratio than a standard T and thus has far greater engine braking capacity, especially with the 7:1 ratio diff. It also has far larger lined brakes on the handbrake. Properly adjusted and hooked up with an equaliser, these would be far superior to the brakes on a T car. Even with an accessory transmission, they are still superior, as they are brakes on the wheel, negating the loss of transmission braking.
However, if the TT is loaded to its capacity, then the utmost caution should be taken.
Just my opinion, for what it's worth.
Allan from down under.
I am thinking about the added weight of the truck. As long as you have lined shoes on the rear wheels and not stopping through the drivetrain, you should be OK. I live in the mountains and even the semi's lose their brakes from time to time. Going downhill in freewheeling is a very scary thing to think about.
Norm