Hi Guys
I have inherited a car that has a dash layout where everything works off toggle switches. I've seen plenty of steering columns using sierra type indicator stalks, but I was just wondering if anyone has adapted any other kind of stalk/column arrangement to fit and if so, what were the pitfalls if any.
Unfortunately I am unsure of the donor vehicle for my steering column, I'm presuming Cortina/Sierra, but it is most definitely a guess. I've seen a mk1 Ford Galaxy complete column bracket and stalk assembly reasonably priced and I think it would be much more preferable to the toggle switches I have now.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Ian

Hi Ian,
I ended up using a stalk from a renault meganne, has all the functions on one stalk, indicators,lights,high beam, horn and fog light. Also added bonus won't let fog lights to switch on mechanically without lights being on keeping IVA man happy. Also dirt cheap on flee bay.

Hi Ian .. I was going to use the indicator stalks of the mk6 escort colum I had living around but wiring was to much so I brought one of these as all my other stuff is run of toggle switches like your self
eBay item 181259450321
Hope this helps .. So easy to fit and easy to wire up
Dan

Awesome, thanks guys. Thurbs - did you buy a complete unit? Something like this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Megane-Scenic-99-03-wiper-washer-indicator-control-arm-stalks-294-/281189869765?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM &hash=item417838e8c5
Very interesting, I hadn't considered the fog light mechanism, thanks!

my next car will have all toggle switches on the dash to give a better retro look, i really am not a fan of modern switches in an essentially 1960's car they just look wrong.
even the hazard switch will be a toggle switch, they are all going to be matched for appearance.......
basic indicators with dip/main/ horn function are easy to get and were common to some classic british cars (even the reliant robin used them) they are easy to find and cheap to buy, they often better suit "7" style cars.
TBH when i see some cars and the donor column switches they used i often wonder why they never fitted the air bag SIPS and ABS etc as well

Ian,
I think it was more like this( link ) I think it was meggane mk 1.
I'll try and dig out wiring diagram hope i've still got that envelope or fag packet !!!!
Cheers
Andy

SVC sell classic parts
I used their indicator stalk - classic mini style
They do them with the little bulb at the end so you dont need dash tell tales
Much nicer than toggles and dead easy to fit and connect

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TBH when i see some cars and the donor column switches they used i often wonder why they never fitted the air bag SIPS and ABS etc as well

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I have a dash mounted switch for the indicators, and its a pita, as you have to take your hand off the steering wheel to indicate
one of my winter mods, is to fit a proper stalk on the column,

Steve

Hi
We used a Land Rover one
which gave us indicators , high & low beam & flash
Horn.
was easy to fit & works very well.


Description

Really appreciate all the replies guys. I must admit I'm willing to sacrifice the retro look for a more practical driving solution, in my opinion only toggle indicators aren't for me. I've found a Ford Orion set of stalks today that I like the look of, everything on them I'll need apart from horn, yet without surplus stuff like rear wash/wipe, think these or the Galaxy mk1 set I mentioned earlier will do the job nicely.

As another liker of classic styling I can very much see Snowy2's point but I am very glad i changed over to stalk switches for sheer practicality.

Ergonomics wins for me too - stalks are simply the best solution for commonly used functions. Not to say I don't like the look of a dash full of toggle switches, but I think it'd annoy me.
I used peugeot 106 stalks, copied from someone else's build diary. They (and I'm sure many other modern switches) handle the fog light and main beam auto-off when the headlights are turned off which is nice. You just need an hour or so, sat with a continuity tester to work out which pin does what.
Oh, and make sure whatever you get comes with the connectors as they'll be proprietary!

I think I've still got a Megan stalk hiding in the garage somewhere. You can have it for free.

something like this (picture stolen from ebay):



[Edited on 6/1/2014 by TimEllershaw]

Tim that is an incredibly kind offer, thank you very much, I'll gladly reimburse you for your costs, if you pm me with your paypal details if you have one I'll send it as a gift. Many thanks.

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Originally posted by IanSouthLincs
Tim that is an incredibly kind offer, thank you very much, I'll gladly reimburse you for your costs, if you pm me with your paypal details if you have one I'll send it as a gift. Many thanks.

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Thanks out to Tim, stalk arrived today looks spot on for what I was after. Very kind of you mate, really appreciate it.
All the best
Ian

Hi Guys, Having read this post i have also bought a Mk 1 Megane stalk and was wondering if anybody does have a wiring digram
Mark