Has anyone found a good donor for Wiper/Indictor/Lights stalks? that look more modern but fit well with Sierra Steering column (& preferably
Sierra cowl)
Thanks
You ditch the stalks in favor of switches.
Thanks but I am trying to get away from switches .
From personal experience I can advise that column stalks are easier to operate than dash switches when you're harnessed in the car. Once
you're properly harnessed in you can't move much and probably won't be able to reach the dash to operate switches.
I used my donor Sierra steering column and stalks. Even wired the horn up to the washer jet push on the end of the stalk to make it easier to reach
and be able to operate. Only dash mounted switch was rear fog light.
I modified my Sierra stalk following guidance I found on the inter-webbie - if you cut the stalk about 1 cm away from the outer edge of the bump near
the pivot you end up with a very short stalk (obviously!). There is a hole in this short stalk, into which I epoxied a length of stainless steel, and
glued a knob at the far end (I turned the knob on my lathe). Bent the rod into an appropriate shape, for easy access. I don't have pictures of
either the process or the finished result, but I thought it looked decent. It also lasted about 11 years, and as far as I know it still works for the
new owner.
Please note: if you decide to hack at a Sierra stalk, don't blame me if you make the cut and don't find a hole!
Problem now is replacing one.
All the buttons I need whilst normal driving are on the steering wheel, don't have to take my hands off the wheel other than to change gear
The connections run through a quick release fitting (with built in Lemo plug/socket) and come out under the dash via a curly cable. I have a
slip ring from ebay that cost about £10 to replace the curly cable next time I am working in that area of the car but currently it works so no rush to
change it really...just a slip ring will look neater in an area you can't see but I KNOW its there so will change it one day
The less important ones are on the dash but positioned so I can reach them when fully strapped in. I ditched the bulky Sierra steering column outer
and saved a lot of weight at the same time so don't have anything to mount stalks on anyway
Dash layout
Perhaps a hybrid approach might work, switches mounted on a plate behind the wheel, no complexity of it moving with the wheel, and easier to reach
than the dash. I believe stuff behind the wheel is subject to different IVA testing to dash bits?
With the advent of 3D printing perhaps there is scope for a nice housing for the switches and controls?